Novella Word Count: The Ultimate Guide for 2026

Did you know that the industry standard for novellas ranges from 17,500 to 40,000 words? Understanding this key metric can make or break your publishing success in 2026.

Understanding the Definition of a Novella

In the world of literary works, a novella is a work of prose fiction typically between 17,500 and 40,000 words. This range is endorsed by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) and widely recognized in publishing guides as a distinct category.

Novellas are often used for experimental projects, debut works, or genre-specific stories like sci-fi, fantasy, or literary fiction. They provide a perfect balance: longer than a short story but shorter than a full-length novel, making them ideal for readers seeking quick yet immersive experiences.

To clarify, a novelette ranges from 7,500 to 17,500 words, and short stories are generally under 7,500 words. Understanding these distinctions helps authors target the right submission categories and avoid misclassification.

How Long Is a Novella? Industry Standards and Flexibility

As of 2026, a novella is considered a work of prose fiction that falls within the 17,500 and 40,000 words range, according to the SFWA definition. Some sources extend this upper limit to 50,000 words for general fiction, but the industry prefers sticking to 40,000 max to keep within the novella classification.

Best practices suggest aiming for 20,000 to 40,000 words when writing genre-specific novellas like sci-fi and fantasy, as these stories often require substantial worldbuilding. For example, sci-fi novellas commonly hover around 20,000–40,000 words due to the need for detailed setting development. For more on this, see our guide on long short story.

In contrast, YA and literary fiction tend to be longer—averaging between 55,000 and 80,000 words—yet novellas remain a shorter, punchier option. Industry median lengths are shifting, with fantasy increasing by about 1,800 words in 2024, reaching an average of 87,100 words, while sci-fi has decreased nearly 8,000 words, settling around 71,300.

Why Word Count Matters for Writers and Publishers

Understanding word count ranges is crucial for marketability. Agents and publishers often prefer novellas under 40,000 words for debut works because they are easier to publish efficiently, with lower production costs and faster turnarounds.

For example, literary awards like the Hugo and Nebula tend to favor works within certain story length comparison standards, making adherence to word count boundaries essential for recognition. The Hugo, for instance, typically recognizes novella-length works between 17,500 and 40,000 words, which aligns with SFWA guidelines.

Reader expectations also influence these standards. Younger audiences tend to drop off after 55,000–65,000 words, so keeping novellas concise helps maintain engagement. For middle-grade stories, cap the length at 20,000–55,000 words to ensure they remain accessible and captivating.

Practical Tips for Writing and Editing Novellas

Research genre-specific word counts early to set realistic goals. Use industry standards to guide your draft length, aiming for about 65,000 words initially, then trim to meet the 17,500–40,000 words range. For more on this, see our guide on writing successful novellas.

Tools like Automateed can streamline formatting and editing, helping you stay within your target length. Remember, crossing genre boundaries can lead to misclassification, so adhere to the most restrictive guidelines for your project.

When querying, indicate protagonist age in YA novellas and keep synopses tight. For fantasy and other genres, stay under 130,000 words even if your story exceeds typical novella ranges, to avoid rejection based on story length boundaries.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Overlength manuscripts—especially those surpassing 100,000 words—are red flags for literary agents, who see them as difficult to publish efficiently. The solution? Edit ruthlessly to condense your story, focusing on storytelling factors that add value.

Genre misclassification is another common challenge, especially with blurred genre boundaries. Adhere strictly to SFWA and Reedsy standards to avoid mislabeling your work as a novel or short story. Self-publishing authors aiming for 70,000–100,000 words should trim their manuscripts to fit within the novella length.

Reader engagement is vital, particularly for younger audiences. Keep novellas concise, ideally under 55,000 words, to ensure they hold interest and provide a compelling story length comparison against full-length novels. For more on this, see our guide on write compelling foreword.

Latest Industry Trends and Standards for 2026

Industry standards for novella length remain at 17,500 to 40,000 words, as confirmed by the 2026 Reedsy updates and literary agent guides. Notably, median genre lengths are shifting: fantasy novels increased by 1,800 words from 2023 to 2024, while sci-fi median dropped by nearly 8,000 words, influencing the upper limits for novella classifications.

Self-publishing trends show growing averages of 65,000 to 130,000 words for novels, making novellas an accessible entry point for many authors. Understanding these current standards allows writers to position their work effectively within the evolving landscape of short fiction and novella length.

Conclusion: Mastering the Novella Word Count in 2026

In the world of literary awards ranges, understanding your story length comparison is key to maximizing your chances of recognition. Sticking to the 17,500 and 40,000 words range helps ensure your work meets industry standards and appeals to both agents and readers.

Whether you're writing for the Hugo, Nebula, or self-publishing, knowing the nuances of novella length can boost your success. Focus on crafting a compelling story within these boundaries, and you'll be well-positioned for market success in 2026.

FAQ

How long is a novella?

A novella typically falls between 17,500 and 40,000 words, making it longer than a short story but shorter than a work of prose fiction like a novel. This range is widely accepted by organizations such as SFWA and in industry standards. For more on this, see our guide on book keyword optimization.

What is a novella?

A novella is a work of prose fiction that is longer than a short story but not quite a full-length novel, usually between 17,500 and 40,000 words. It is often used for experimental or genre-specific projects and offers a focused storytelling experience.

Novella vs. novel?

The main difference is length: a novel exceeds 40,000 words and often reaches 80,000 to 100,000 words or more, while a novella stays within 17,500–40,000 words. Novellas are more concise, allowing for quicker reading and easier publication.

Is a 100-page book a novella?

Not necessarily. Page count varies depending on formatting, but generally, a 100-page book can be a novella if it falls within the 17,500 and 40,000 words range. If it’s longer, it might be considered a short novel or full-length novel.

How many words are in a typical novella?

Most novellas contain between 17,500 and 40,000 words. For example, many sci-fi and fantasy novellas hover around 20,000–40,000 words, fitting perfectly within the industry standards.

What defines a short story?

A short story is a brief work of fiction, typically under 7,500 words, focusing on a single incident or character. Short stories are often published separately and are an essential part of short fiction collections.