Discover ideal word counts for every fiction genre. Learn why word count matters, genre-specific targets, and how to determine the perfect length for your novel in 2025’s publishing market.
The Word Count Anxiety Every Author Faces
You’re deep into your novel, chapters accumulating, and suddenly a nagging question intrudes: Is this too long? Too short? Will my word count kill my chances?
Welcome to one of the most anxiety-inducing aspects of the writing process—the tyranny of word count expectations.
Here’s what you need to know upfront: Word count matters, but it’s not the ultimate make-or-break factor for your novel’s success. A phenomenal story at 110,000 words beats a mediocre story at the “perfect” 85,000 words every single time.
That said, understanding genre-specific word count expectations helps you make strategic decisions about manuscript length, especially if you’re pursuing traditional publication. Significantly exceeding or falling short of genre norms will incrementally decrease your odds with agents and publishers—not because there’s magic in hitting specific numbers, but because word count reflects industry economics, reader expectations, and genre conventions.
This comprehensive guide explains why word count matters, provides target ranges for every major fiction genre, and offers strategic guidance for authors worried their manuscript is too long or too short.
The bottom line: Write the novel your story demands. Then, during revision, ruthlessly eliminate anything extraneous. If you end up outside typical word count ranges, understand the tradeoffs—but don’t let arbitrary numbers strangle a great book.
Why Publishers Care About Word Count (It’s Not Arbitrary)
Word count requirements aren’t publishing gatekeepers being difficult for the sake of difficulty. Several concrete factors drive genre word count expectations.
The Physical Reality of Print Books
Shelf space is real estate. Despite e-books’ popularity, print books still occupy significant market share and influence publishing decisions.
Too short: A book under 60,000-70,000 words may be physically too slim to display spine-out on bookstore shelves. If customers can’t see your title on the spine, they can’t buy it.
Too long: Books exceeding genre norms:
- Cost more to print (more paper, heavier binding)
- Cost more to ship (weight-based shipping fees)
- Occupy more shelf space (bookstores order fewer copies of oversized books)
- Price higher (increasing consumer resistance)
- Create higher risk for publishers (larger investment per unit)
In 2025’s cost-conscious publishing environment, these economic factors matter more than ever.
Reader Expectations and Genre Conventions
Readers develop intuitive expectations for how long different types of stories “should” be.
Think of movies: Most films run 90-150 minutes. Viewers accept this convention. A 45-minute feature film feels unsatisfying. A 4-hour film requires extraordinary justification (and intermissions).
Novels work similarly. Epic fantasy readers expect 100,000+ word immersive experiences. Thriller readers want tight, propulsive 80,000-90,000 word page-turners. Romance readers know 70,000-90,000 words delivers satisfying relationship arcs.
When you violate genre length conventions, you’re essentially telling readers, “This isn’t quite what you’re expecting from this genre.” Sometimes that works brilliantly. Often, it creates reader dissatisfaction.
Agent and Editor Calibration
Publishing professionals develop instinctive word count calibration through reading hundreds of manuscripts.
When an agent sees “Historical Fiction, 45,000 words,” their immediate thought is: “This isn’t developed enough to satisfy the genre.” When they see “Contemporary Fiction, 180,000 words,” they think: “This needs significant cutting.”
These aren’t judgments about your writing—they’re pattern recognition based on what works in the marketplace.
The Critical Caveat: Exceptions Exist
Before diving into genre-specific targets, acknowledge the giant asterisk: Breakout bestsellers regularly violate word count norms.
Extremely long novels:
- Infinite Jest: 543,000+ words
- A Suitable Boy: 591,000+ words
- War and Peace: 561,000+ words
- Game of Thrones series books: 298,000-424,000 words
Extremely short novels:
- The Great Gatsby: 47,000 words
- Animal Farm: 30,000 words
- The Outsiders: 48,500 words
So why can’t you write a 400,000-word debut?
Reality check #1: Most wildly long or short novels aren’t debuts
J.K. Rowling started with two Harry Potter books at relatively conventional lengths (77,000 and 85,000 words) before expanding to 190,000+ in later installments. She earned latitude through proven success.
David Foster Wallace had established his reputation before Infinite Jest. George R.R. Martin wasn’t a debut author.
Reality check #2: Exceptions prove rules exist
Yes, The Historian was a 240,000-word debut. Jonathan Livingston Seagull published as a novella. But these are exceptional because they’re rare.
The strategy: If your novel demands unusual length, write it. But understand you’re making your path harder. You need:
- Exceptionally compelling storytelling that justifies the length
- A unique hook that compensates for increased publisher risk
- Willingness to face more rejections before finding the right agent
- Potentially targeting smaller publishers more willing to take risks
Word Count Targets by Fiction Genre
These ranges represent general industry expectations. Individual agents or publishers may have preferences within or outside these ranges.
Important notes:
- Ranges indicate where most successful published books in each genre fall
- Lower end typically represents minimum viable length for the genre
- Upper end typically represents maximum before length becomes a liability
- Exceptional books can succeed outside these ranges
- First-time authors face more scrutiny for unusual lengths
Children’s and Young Reader Categories
Chapter Books (Ages 7-10, transitional readers)
Target range: 10,000-15,000 words
Considerations: Short chapters, age-appropriate vocabulary, often illustrated
Middle Grade (Ages 8-12)
Target range: 30,000-60,000 words
Sweet spot: 40,000-55,000 words
Considerations: Lower end for ages 8-10, upper end for ages 11-12. MG fantasy often runs longer (up to 70,000 words).
Young Adult (Ages 13-18)
Target range: 60,000-90,000 words
Sweet spot: 70,000-80,000 words
Considerations: Contemporary YA trends shorter; YA fantasy/sci-fi trends longer (up to 100,000 words). Avoid extremes for debuts.
Adult Fiction Genres
Literary Fiction
Target range: 75,000-110,000 words
Wide latitude: 60,000-120,000 words
Considerations: Most flexible genre. Prizes often go to novels 80,000-100,000 words. Literary fiction judges books more on artistry than strict commercial conventions.
General/Commercial Fiction
Target range: 75,000-100,000 words
Sweet spot: 80,000-90,000 words
Considerations: “Book club fiction,” women’s fiction, contemporary general fiction. Solid middle ground for debut authors.
Mystery/Detective
Target range: 70,000-90,000 words
Sweet spot: 75,000-85,000 words
Considerations: Cozy mysteries trend toward lower end; police procedurals toward upper end.
Thriller/Suspense
Target range: 80,000-100,000 words
Sweet spot: 85,000-95,000 words
Considerations: Pacing matters enormously. Every scene must earn its place. Legal thrillers may run longer (up to 110,000).
Romance
Target range: 70,000-100,000 words
Sweet spot: 80,000-90,000 words
Considerations: Category romance (Harlequin-style) often shorter (50,000-70,000 words). Single-title romance longer. Romantic suspense up to 100,000 words.
Historical Fiction
Target range: 80,000-120,000 words
Sweet spot: 90,000-110,000 words
Considerations: Epic scope and period detail justify longer length. Well-researched historicals earn more length latitude than other genres.
Fantasy (Epic/High Fantasy)
Target range: 90,000-120,000 words
Sweet spot: 100,000-115,000 words
Considerations: World-building justifies length. First-time authors should avoid exceeding 120,000 words. Urban fantasy trends shorter (75,000-90,000).
Science Fiction
Target range: 90,000-120,000 words
Sweet spot: 100,000-110,000 words
Considerations: Hard sci-fi (complex technical concepts) justifies upper range. Space opera can run longer. Dystopian trends toward thriller lengths (80,000-100,000 words).
Horror
Target range: 75,000-100,000 words
Sweet spot: 80,000-90,000 words
Considerations: Psychological horror often shorter; supernatural/epic horror longer.
Novella
Target range: 20,000-50,000 words
Considerations: Difficult to publish traditionally as standalone. Often published in collections or by specialty presses.
The 120,000-Word Ceiling
For most genres, 120,000 words represents a practical upper limit—especially for debut authors.
Exceeding this requires exceptional justification:
- Genre conventions (epic fantasy, some historical fiction)
- Complex multiple POV narratives
- Unusual structural requirements
- Proven author track record
If your manuscript exceeds 120,000 words, ask:
- Does every scene advance plot or deepen character?
- Could any subplots be cut without damaging the core story?
- Are there self-indulgent passages kept for writer satisfaction rather than reader experience?
- Would the story be stronger, tighter, and more focused at 100,000 words?
Ruthless revision often reveals that the 130,000-word novel works better at 105,000 words.
Famous Novels and Their Word Counts (For Perspective)
Sometimes seeing real examples helps calibrate your expectations.
Exceptionally Long (200,000+ words):
- A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth: 591,554 words
- Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand: 561,996 words
- War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy: 561,304 words
- Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace: 543,709 words
- Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell: 418,053 words
Very Long (150,000-200,000 words):
- Moby-Dick by Herman Melville: 209,117 words
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling: 198,227 words
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling: 190,637 words
- The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien: 187,790 words
- Dune by Frank Herbert: 187,240 words
Long (100,000-150,000 words):
- The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck: 169,481 words
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling: 168,923 words
- One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez: 144,523 words
- Atonement by Ian McEwan: 123,378 words
- Twilight by Stephenie Meyer: 118,975 words
Standard/Target Range (70,000-100,000 words):
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: 100,388 words
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins: 99,750 words
- The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien: 95,356 words
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling: 85,141 words
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling: 76,944 words
- The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger: 73,404 words
Short (40,000-70,000 words):
- The Fault in Our Stars by John Green: 67,203 words
- Brave New World by Aldous Huxley: 64,531 words
- The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton: 48,523 words
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: 47,094 words
- The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams: 46,333 words
Very Short/Novella Length (Under 40,000 words):
- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis: 38,421 words
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl: 30,644 words
- Animal Farm by George Orwell: 29,966 words
What these examples teach us:
- Genre matters: Fantasy (The Hobbit, Fellowship) runs longer than literary fiction (The Great Gatsby, Animal Farm)
- Children’s books are shorter: MG and younger books naturally fall below adult fiction minimums
- Classics include outliers: Many beloved books violate modern genre conventions—but they’re beloved despite unusual length, not because of it
- Modern debuts cluster in target ranges: Contemporary successful debuts predominantly fall within genre norms
Strategic Decisions When Your Word Count Is “Wrong”
If Your Manuscript Is Too Short
Assess why it’s short:
Underdeveloped? Add depth to character arcs, flesh out settings, expand emotional complexity, develop secondary characters.
Naturally concise? Maybe your story is genuinely best told at this length. Consider whether it works as:
- Novella (20,000-50,000 words)
- Genre shift (could contemporary fiction work as YA with age-adjusted protagonist?)
- Paired novellas or collection component
Strategic approaches:
- Expand scenes that feel rushed
- Add subplot that deepens themes
- Develop antagonist more fully
- Enrich world-building or setting
- Include additional POV characters (if appropriate)
Don’t: Add fluff, padding, or unnecessary scenes just to hit word count. Readers detect and resent artificial lengthening.
If Your Manuscript Is Too Long
Assess why it’s long:
Self-indulgent? Cut favorite scenes that don’t serve the story. Kill darlings ruthlessly.
Genuinely complex? Ensure complexity serves the story, not just the author’s enjoyment of writing.
Strategic approaches:
- Cut or combine characters
- Eliminate unnecessary subplots
- Tighten scene length (enter late, leave early)
- Delete exposition that readers can infer
- Combine scenes that accomplish similar purposes
- Reduce description without losing essential atmosphere
Consider: Could this be two books? Sometimes a 180,000-word manuscript is actually two 90,000-word novels.
Don’t: Delete essential character development, rush the ending, or sacrifice what makes your story work.
When to Ignore Word Count Guidelines
Ignore genre norms if:
- Your story genuinely cannot be told at target length without damage
- You’re writing experimental or literary fiction with flexibility
- You’re targeting smaller/specialty publishers open to unusual lengths
- You have a platform or credentials that compensate for unusual length
Remember: Every word count “violation” incrementally decreases traditional publishing odds. Proceed with eyes open.
Practical Word Count Strategies
During Drafting
Don’t obsess about word count while drafting. Write the story. Word count is a revision concern, not a drafting concern.
Exception: If you’re 150,000 words into what you envisioned as an 80,000-word thriller, pause and reassess your approach.
During Revision
Track your word count and compare to genre targets.
Within 10% of target range? You’re fine. 72,000 words for 70,000-90,000 word genre works.
10-20% outside range? Evaluate whether cutting/expanding improves the story independent of hitting targets.
20%+ outside range? Serious revision required or acceptance that you’re writing outside genre norms.
Practical Cutting Techniques
Macro-level cuts (saves thousands of words):
- Eliminate entire subplots
- Reduce number of POV characters
- Cut or combine scenes
- Delete backstory chapters
Micro-level cuts (saves hundreds per chapter):
- Trim unnecessary dialogue tags and beats
- Delete redundant descriptions
- Cut “throat-clearing” opening paragraphs
- Eliminate repetitive emotional reactions
Sentence-level cuts (saves dozens per page):
- Replace wordy phrases with concise alternatives
- Delete filter words (“he felt,” “she saw”)
- Eliminate “that” where unnecessary
- Tighten verb constructions
Tracking Word Count by Genre
Most word processors display word count:
- Microsoft Word: Status bar bottom-left or Tools → Word Count
- Google Docs: Tools → Word Count
- Scrivener: Project Targets tool
For submissions: Round to nearest thousand (82,450 words → “approximately 82,000 words”)
FAQ: Novel Word Count Concerns
Q: My novel is 105,000 words for a genre with 90,000-word target. Will agents reject automatically?
Not automatically. 105,000 words isn’t egregiously long. If the story earns every word, agents will accept the length. But ensure you’ve cut ruthlessly—could the novel work at 95,000?
Q: Can I lie about word count on my query letter?
No. Agents will discover the real word count and you’ll have destroyed credibility. If your word count creates query problems, fix the word count—don’t lie about it.
Q: Do word counts include front matter (dedication, acknowledgments, etc.)?
No. Word count refers only to the actual manuscript text—from Chapter 1 through THE END. Exclude all front and back matter.
Q: My fantasy novel is 145,000 words. Should I cut to 120,000?
Maybe. Can you cut 25,000 words without damaging the story? If yes, do it—tighter is often better. If cutting would genuinely harm the novel, accept that you’ll face more resistance but may find the right agent/publisher eventually.
Q: Is it better to be slightly under or slightly over target range?
Slightly under is generally safer for debuts. An 85,000-word thriller is better positioned than a 102,000-word thriller. Readers rarely complain books are too short; they often complain books are too long.
Q: Does word count matter for self-publishing?
Less than traditional publishing, but still matters. Readers still have genre expectations. Production costs (print, narration) still correlate with length. But you have more flexibility without publisher gatekeepers.
Q: Can I split my long novel into a series?
Possibly. Ensure each book has satisfying arc and ending. Don’t create arbitrary breaks mid-story. First-time authors: standalone books with series potential work better than trilogies with cliffhanger endings.
Your Action Plan: Getting Word Count Right
Step 1: Know your genre’s target range
Reference the ranges in this guide. Research recently published successful books in your specific genre.
Step 2: Write your first draft without obsessing
Get the story down. Don’t let word count anxiety strangle your creative process.
Step 3: Assess your first draft
Where does your word count fall relative to target? Within range? Close? Way off?
Step 4: Revise ruthlessly regardless of word count
Use the novel revision checklist. Cut anything that doesn’t earn its place.
Step 5: Make strategic decisions about length
If you’re outside target range after honest revision, decide: cut more, accept the challenge, or restructure the project.
Step 6: Query with confidence
If you’ve done the work and your word count is reasonable (even if not perfect), query with confidence that your story is the strongest version possible.
Remember: Word count matters, but story quality matters infinitely more.
A brilliant 110,000-word debut will find its champion. A mediocre 85,000-word manuscript in the “perfect” range will still face rejection.
Write the best book you can. Then make it as tight and strong as possible. Let the word count fall where it may—within reason.
Your story is worth telling at whatever length it truly needs.
