Most adult novels are somewhere between 70,000 and 100,000 words. A printed paperback page usually holds about 250 to 300 words, so a 300-page novel is typically around 75,000 to 90,000 words. Here is how lengths vary by type of book.
Typical Lengths by Category
These ranges reflect common publishing expectations for new manuscripts. They are guidelines, not rules; publishers and genres differ, and established authors often go longer.
| Type of book | Typical word count |
|---|---|
| Picture book | Under 1,000 (often around 500) |
| Early reader / chapter book | About 4,000-15,000 |
| Middle grade (ages 8-12) | About 30,000-55,000 |
| Young adult | About 50,000-90,000 |
| Adult novel (most genres) | About 70,000-100,000 |
| Science fiction and fantasy | Often 90,000-120,000+ |
| Non-fiction book | Commonly 50,000-90,000 |
Novel, Novella or Short Story?
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) defines its Nebula Award categories by word count, and these limits are widely used as general definitions:
- Short story: under 7,500 words
- Novelette: 7,500 to 17,499 words
- Novella: 17,500 to 39,999 words
- Novel: 40,000 words or more
Words Per Page in a Printed Book
Book pages are smaller than letter-size paper and are set with generous line spacing, chapter openings and dialogue, so they hold fewer words than a typed page.
| Format | Approx. words per page |
|---|---|
| Mass-market paperback (about 4¼ × 7 in) | 250-350 (small type) |
| Trade paperback (5½ × 8½ or 6 × 9 in) | 250-300 |
| Hardcover novel | 250-350 |
| Middle grade novel | 200-250 |
| Manuscript page (12 pt, double spaced) | About 250 |
To estimate words from pages, multiply: pages × words per page. A 150-page book at about 250 words per page is roughly 37,500 words, and a 250-page book is roughly 62,500 to 75,000 words, which is typical of middle grade and young adult fiction. For custom page sizes, fonts and margins, use the words per page calculator.
Some Well-Known Examples
Approximate word counts of familiar books, based on widely published counts of standard editions:
- The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald): about 47,000 words
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (J. K. Rowling): about 77,000 words
- The Hobbit (J. R. R. Tolkien): about 95,000 words
How Long Does It Take to Read?
At an average adult reading speed of about 260 words per minute for fiction, an 80,000-word novel takes a little over 5 hours to read. Try the reading time calculator for your own numbers.
Last updated: October 4, 2026