How Many Chapters Should a Book Have? Beginner Guide

If you are a new writer you have probably asked yourself, How many chapters should a book have? The easy answer is that most books seem to have 10 to 30 chapters. However, the answer to this question depends on your story, genre and writing style. And don’t worry, there’s no “wrong” number when you are just starting out.

For beginners, a good place to start is to aim for 20-25 chapters, each covering one clear idea or scene. Instead of considering that you have to write so many words, consider how your chapters make your story flow well. Chapters are tools that make your book easier to read. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to how many chapters there are or should be there. If you want to explore chapter length, check out How Long Should a Chapter Be? to understand typical word count guidelines.

What does it mean by that?

A chapter is a small part of your book that deals with one part of the plot or idea. Think of it like this, a book is a whole journey and chapters are the stops on the way. They help readers to pause, process and engage. Every chapter should have a purpose. It could add a character, show an important event or advance the story.

For beginners, the chapters assist in two main ways,

They keep your writing organised
They make your book more clear to read

There is no “perfect” number of chapters. Some books have short chapters (such as thrillers) and others have longer ones (such as fantasy novels).

Here’s how to learn about story structure which helps you to know the number of chapters for your book, Story Structure Basics for Beginners and you can also check out How to Write a Book from Start to Finish to help you plan your writing process.

How to Calculate the Number of Chapters in Your Book (Step by Step)

If you have a question on how many chapters your book should have then follow this simple process,

Step 1: Be Aware of Your Total Word Count

Let’s start by making some estimates about the length of your book. A short novel typically falls in the range of 40,000 to 60,000 words and a standard novel can fall anywhere between 70,000 to 100,000 words.

Once you have an estimated number of words, divide it into sections that are manageable. For instance, if you have a book that’s about 80,000 words and you are thinking about writing 20 chapters, you would plan each chapter to be about 4,000 words.

This approach provides you with a basic structure to work with. Your chapter count is, of course, dependent on your chapter length. Shorter chapters result in more chapters and longer chapters result in fewer chapters.

Step 2: Break Your Story Into Major Events

Outline your story major events (beginning, middle, and end) Each event could become one or several chapters. This is an easy and effective way for beginners.

Step 3: Use One Idea Per Chapter

A good rule is to concentrate on only one main idea/scene per chapter. Ask yourself,

What happens in this chapter?
Why is it important?

If a chapter is too full, divide it. If you think it is too short, combine it. Try to end chapters in a manner that keeps the reader curious. A small hook or an unanswered question can give them the incentive to keep reading.

Step 4: Consider Your Genre

Different genres treat chapters different ways.

Thrillers typically have short, fast chapters
Fantasy novels often are longer and have more detail in each chapter
Romance will have a medium length of chapters

So when you are thinking about how many chapters your book should have, always make sure to think of your genre.

Step 5: Adjust While Editing

Don’t expect your first draft to have perfect chapters. During the editing process, you can split long chapters and join weaker ones to provide a better flow for your book. Many authors change their chapter count several times before publication.

Even in the course of writing or editing, you may find yourself adding or taking out chapters as your story develops.

Examples / Mini Tips

Let’s examine a couple of simple examples to get a better understanding.

Example 1: Beginning Fiction Book

Imagine that you are writing a 60,000 word book with 20 chapters. Each chapter would consist of about 3,000 words.

Keep chapters between 2,000 and 4,000 words, for easy reading.

Example 2: Fast-Paced Story

You are writing a thriller that has 40 short chapters. Each chapter is around 1,500 words.

Short chapters create speed and suspense.

For example, many thriller novels have 40-60 short chapters, while fantasy books may have 15-25 longer chapters.

Example 3: Non-Fiction Book

You are writing a self-help book with 12 chapters, each one dealing with one important lesson.

In non-fiction, every chapter should solve one definite problem.

Quick Summary

Short chapters: More chapters, faster pace
Long chapters: Less chapters, More detail

Common Mistakes Made By Beginners

When it comes to deciding how many chapters you should write in your book, the following mistakes are familiar,

Don’t say, “My book has to have 25 chapters.” Focus on the flow of the story and not on just numbers.
Long chapters can feel heavy. If there is a chapter that exceeds 5,000-6,000 words, consider breaking it up.
Very short chapters (less than 500 words) can feel unfinished. Each chapter should have a meaning and completion.
Don’t attempt to make all the chapters the same length. Some chapters require more space than others.
Remove or rewrite chapters that don’t have a clear purpose.
Chapters should not feel like interruptions.

FAQ

1How many chapters should a beginner’s novel contain?

For beginners, 15-25 chapters is a great place to begin. It helps to keep your book organised without making the structure too complicated.

2What is the perfect length of a chapter in a novel?

Most chapters are 1500 to 4000 words long, but it depends on your genre and writing style.

3Can a book have very few chapters?

Yes, some books have very few chapters, particularly literary or experimental books. What is important is clarity and flow, not quantity.

4How do I separate my story into chapters?

Break your story up into key events or scenes. Each chapter should be concerned with one main idea and advance the story further.

Final Thoughts

So, how many chapters does a book need to have? There’s not a hard-and-fast rule, but most books will be between 10 and 30 books or so.

As a beginner, focus on,

Clear structure
One idea per chapter
Smooth reading experience

Don’t be afraid to get it right the first time while writing your first draft. Chapters are flexible and you can always improve them during the editing process. So get started writing, keep it simple and let your story take care of itself. If your chapters feel natural and flow smoothly to read then you are on the right track.

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