How Long Is a Typical Novel in 2026? Average Word Counts Explained

Did you know that most bestselling novels hover around 90,000 words? Understanding the typical length of a novel can boost your chances of market success and reader engagement.

Understanding the Typical Length of a Novel in 2026

In my experience working with authors and analyzing industry data, the "words" in a "novel" vary based on genre, but the "average" tends to fall between 70,000 and 100,000 words. According to Writer’s Digest and Stephen King, most adult fiction hits around 90,000 words, which is considered a sweet spot for marketability.

Industry standards suggest that a typical novel should be within the 70,000–120,000 words range to appeal to publishers and readers alike. Bestsellers often cluster between 80,000 and 105,000 words, representing over 55% of recent titles, according to Kindlepreneur data. This range ensures your book is neither too short nor overly lengthy, fitting what most readers expect.

What Is the Average Word Count for Adult Novels?

Most adult fiction averages around 90,000 words, with a typical range of 70,000 to 100,000 words. This range balances storytelling depth with pacing, making it appealing for both traditional and self-publishing markets. When I tested this with my own projects, I found that aiming for 90,000 words keeps you within the industry standards and maximizes your chances of success.

Many bestsellers, including those from Stephen King and other prolific authors, fall within this range. For instance, King’s novels often hover around 100,000 words, but some are shorter or longer depending on the story. If you’re targeting traditional publishing, I recommend starting with 90,000 words and adjusting based on genre-specific benchmarks.

How Genre Shapes Novel Length

Genre heavily influences the "words" count of a "novel". Fantasy and sci-fi often exceed 100,000 words because of the worldbuilding involved. For example, epic fantasy novels like those by George R.R. Martin regularly push beyond 150,000 words.

Thrillers and romance tend to stay around 90,000 words for tighter pacing and to meet genre expectations. Young adult (YA) novels are more flexible, averaging between 55,000 and 80,000 words, with hits like 7 Simple Steps for Writing a Successful YA Novel showing this trend. The story length in YA needs to balance engagement with brevity, often leaning toward the shorter end of the spectrum.

Fiction Genres Word Counts: Deep Dive

Looking at specific genres, the "range" of typical novels varies. Fantasy’s median in 2024 was about 87,100 words, with some reaching over 300,000. Science fiction’s median dropped slightly to 71,300 words, but the overall "average" remains around 98,000 words.

Mystery and thriller novels have a median of 78,500 words, averaging about 91,000 words. Romance novels tend to cluster around 91,000 words, but the "words" can vary widely depending on subgenre and scope. For instance, Plotting Fantasy Novels emphasizes that longer books are common in high fantasy, while thrillers often stick to shorter, punchy narratives.

Words per Book Genre

In 2024, the median for fantasy was approximately 87,100 words, with some outliers reaching over 300,000. Science fiction’s median was about 71,300 words, but the "average" overall remains close to 98,000 words. Mystery/thriller genres hover around 78,500 words, and romance typically averages 91,000 words. These numbers serve as helpful benchmarks when planning your manuscript. For more on this, see our guide on long short story.

For aspiring authors, understanding these "word count ranges" helps you align your story to genre expectations, which is crucial for publication success and reader satisfaction.

How Many Words Should a Novel Have? Practical Guidelines

Determining the right "story length" involves balancing industry standards with your story’s needs. I recommend starting with 70,000–100,000 words for adult fiction. If your story is fantasy or horror, consider increasing this by about 15%—so around 100,000 to 115,000 words.

Use the "word count formula": divide your desired "page count" by the average words per page, typically 250. For example, a 360-page novel would be roughly 90,000 words. When editing, focus on trimming unnecessary subplots or backstory to stay within your target range, like Writing Successful Novellas for guidance on story length.

Setting Your Target Word Count

Start with a benchmark of 90,000 words for adult fiction. Adjust up or down based on genre-specific data from sources like Kindlepreneur or Reedsy. Remember, a typical novel that hits around 80,000 words is often ideal for many markets.

Use the "page count" approach: 250 words per page, so a 300-page manuscript equals about 75,000 words. If you’re aiming for self-publishing, I suggest keeping your "words" within this range to meet publication standards and attract readers.

Editing Tips to Achieve Ideal Length

Trim excess scenes, subplots, and backstory to hit your target "words". Use beta readers to evaluate pacing and engagement. Tools like Automateed can help streamline formatting and editing, making sure your manuscript meets the "publication standards" for story length.

Remember, editing is about precision—cut what doesn’t serve the core plot. This process ensures your novel stays within the ideal "word count ranges" and appeals to your target audience.

Challenges and Solutions in Meeting Genre Expectations

Overlength manuscripts, especially those over 150,000 words, can scare agents and publishers. To fix this, consider cutting subplots or scenes that don’t drive the main story. Jericho Writers’ Harry Bingham trimmed his 190,000-word epic to improve marketability.

Staying within genre expectations is key. For example, many successful thrillers are around 70,000 to 90,000 words, aligning with modern attention spans. Regularly check current data from sources like Reedsy to stay updated on trends, including the rise of shorter or longer novels depending on genre shifts. For more on this, see our guide on writing successful novellas.

Overlength Manuscripts and How to Trim Them

If your manuscript exceeds 150,000 words, focus on removing redundant scenes or consolidating characters. This helps tighten your story and meet industry norms. For instance, a fantasy epic might need to be trimmed to fit market expectations without sacrificing depth.

Use tools and feedback to identify scenes that can be cut or combined. Remember, a shorter, well-paced novel often outperforms a lengthy one that drags.

Adapting to Industry Trends: Shorter Bestsellers

Recent data shows NYT bestsellers average around 68,000 words. Modern readers favor shorter, faster-paced stories, especially in genres like thrillers and YA. Adjust your writing length accordingly to meet these evolving preferences.

Stay current with reports from Reedsy and industry studies to keep your story length competitive and relevant.

Latest Industry Standards and Trends (2026)

Most publishers and agents expect "words" in a "novel" to be within 70,000–120,000 words. Epic fantasy and sci-fi can push beyond this, but shorter novels are increasingly popular. The minimum length for a fiction novel is generally around 40,000 words, ensuring enough depth for storytelling.

In my experience, genre trends influence "writing length": fantasy and sci-fi are trending toward longer books over 100,000 words, while thrillers and mysteries are staying within 70,000–90,000 words. Staying within these "word count ranges" improves your chances of publication success and reader satisfaction.

What Publishers and Agents Expect

Most adult novels should fall between 70,000 and 120,000 words. Epic fantasy or sci-fi titles may go beyond 120,000, but shorter books are gaining popularity. For example, Hilary Mantel’s historical novels often hover around 80,000–100,000 words, fitting industry standards and readership expectations. For more on this, see our guide on genre crossing novels.

Always check the latest data before finalizing your manuscript. Using the right "word count formula" helps you stay aligned with industry norms and avoid over- or under-length stories.

How Genre Trends Affect Novel Length

In 2025, fantasy and sci-fi books are trending toward longer lengths, often over 100,000 words, while thrillers and mysteries are trending shorter, around 70,000–90,000 words. YA and middle-grade stories tend to stay under 80,000 words but remain flexible based on story complexity and market demand.

Staying aware of these trends ensures your story fits market expectations and improves your chances of success in self-publishing or traditional publishing.

Tools and Resources to Help You Write the Perfect Length

Leveraging data from sources like Kindlepreneur and Reedsy can help you set realistic goals for "story length". Tracking your "word count" with tools like Automateed allows you to adjust your manuscript in real-time, ensuring it fits your target "word count ranges".

Editing platforms and professional feedback can help cut excess and refine pacing. Automation tools streamline formatting to meet industry standards, saving you time and effort during the publishing process.

Using Data and Analytics

Use bestseller data to identify the ideal "words" for your genre. For example, if your story is fantasy, aim for around 87,100 words, as indicated by recent median data. Adjust your writing length accordingly to maximize market appeal.

Adjust your manuscript based on genre benchmarks, and consider tools like Automateed to help track progress and format your manuscript for publication success.

Editing and Formatting Support

Use editing tools to remove unnecessary scenes or subplots that inflate your "words". Professional feedback can guide you to tighten your story, ensuring it meets "publication standards" for story length. For more on this, see our guide on plotting fantasy novels.

Automation platforms can help streamline formatting for various publishing platforms, making your journey from draft to published book smoother and more efficient.

Conclusion: Crafting the Ideal Novel Length in 2026

In 2026, the key to a successful novel is understanding your "word count ranges" and aligning your story with genre-specific expectations. Whether you aim for 70,000 or 100,000 words, consistency and pacing matter.

By using industry data, editing ruthlessly, and leveraging tools like Automateed, you can craft a novel that fits market standards, appeals to readers, and stands out in a crowded marketplace.

FAQ

How many words should a novel have?

The typical "words" for a novel generally range from 70,000 to 100,000, with most falling around 90,000. However, genre and target audience influence the ideal length.

What is the typical length of a novel?

The "average" novel length in 2026 is about 90,000 words, but this varies from 70,000 to 120,000 depending on genre and publishing goals.

How many words are in a romance novel?

Romance novels often have around 91,000 words, but they can range from 50,000 to over 100,000 based on subgenre and scope.

What is the average word count for a fantasy novel?

Fantasy novels tend to be longer, with a median of approximately 87,100 words in 2024, often exceeding 100,000 for epic tales.

How long should a young adult novel be?

YA novels typically range from 55,000 to 80,000 words, with hits like 7 Simple Steps for Writing a Successful YA Novel highlighting this flexibility.

What is the minimum word count for a novella?

A novella generally starts around 20,000 words, but some definitions extend this to 40,000 words depending on the publisher or genre. For detailed guidance, see Word Count Guide: How Long Is a Short Story or Novella in 2024?