How Many Pages Is a Novel?

Before you begin writing, it’s completely normal to ask yourself how long your novel should be. If you are writing a novel, then one of the biggest questions that you will ask yourself is, how many pages is a novel? The answer is simple, Most novels are from 200 to 400 pages and approximately 50,000 to 100,000 words.

Shorter novels (like novellas) can have fewer than 200 pages and epic stories can have over 500 pages. The “right” length depends on your genre, audience and story, not by a hard-and-fast rule.

What does it mean by that?

When writer ask “how many pages is a novel,” they are not really talking about pages—they are talking about word count. Why? Because page count can vary depending on font size, spacing and size of the book.

Also, keep in mind that manuscript pages (what you write on Word or Google Docs) are not the same thing as printed book pages. A manuscript page is typically double-spaced and appears much longer than the final printed version.

If you want to go deeper into this then check out our article How Many Words Are in a Novel.

Here’s a simple breakdown,

Novella: 20,000-40,000 words (80-200 pages)

Standard novels: 50,000-100,000 words - (~200-400 pages)

Long novels: 100,000+ words (400+ pages)

For beginners, a safe and reasonable goal is 70,000 to 90,000 words-but it’s not a hard and fast rule. If you are writing your first book, try not to be so concerned with page count, be concerned with telling a complete story. These ranges aren’t strict limits,they are just industry expectations.

If you are going the traditional route for publishing, it’s important to stick to these word count ranges closer, as publishers expect certain lengths. If you are self-publishing, you have more leeway, but reader expectations still apply.

How to Calculate Novel Length (Step-By-Step) for Beginners

Length is important because it determines the experience of the reader. A story that’s too short can be too fast-paced, while a too-long story can be too slow or drawn out. The selection of the appropriate novel length is not complicated, just follow this simple process:

Step 1: Pick Your Genre

Different genres have different expectations,

Romance ranges from 60,000 to 90,000 words
Fantasy/Sci-fi ranges from 90,000 - 120,000 or more words
Mystery/Thriller ranges from 70,000 - 100,000 words
Young Adult ranges from 50,000 - 80,000 words

If you are in doubt, 70,000-80,000 words is a pretty good starting point for beginners. If you are a new writer, it’s usually better to stay in standard word count range. Established authors typically have more leeway and control when it comes to the length of their books.

Step 2: Get To Know Your Audience

Ask yourself,

Is this a children’s book or for adults?
Is it a fast-paced story or does it have a lot of world-building?

Young adult novels tend to be shorter in length while epic fantasy novels tend to be longer in length. So genre and audience both plays a big role in placing the decision to the length of your novel. If you are writing a series, the first book is often a bit shorter and then subsequent books are able to lengthen over time as the world and characters expand.

Step 3: Outline Your Story

Break your story into three parts, beginning, middle and ending. If your outline is too short you may end up with a book that is less than 200 pages long. If it’s very detailed at all, you may go over 400 pages. There’s not really any hard measurement that you can put on this. If you would like some assistance on outlining, see our article How to Outline a Novel Step-by-Step.

Step 4: Write First, Edit Later

Many beginning writers worry too much about length too early in the writing process. Length adjustments need to occur during editing and not during the first draft. The first draft is always messy and that’s okay. It is your priority to finish the story in first draft.

Step 5: Word Count for Page Conversion

A very simple thumb rule is that 1 page contains 250-300 words. So, if your story is 75,000 words long it will be somewhere between 250-300 pages. If your story is 100,000 words long, the story will be approximately 300 - 400 pages long. This is only an estimate. If you are just starting out, see How to Write a Novel for Beginners.

Examples / Mini Tips

Example 1: Romantic Story

If you are writing a romantic story with a 70,000-word count it will usually come out to be around 250 pages. This is a good length for a novice’s novel. The final number of pages will depend on your choice of font, font size and book size.

If you have a complete story, do not try to stretch it just to get extra pages.

Example 2: A Fantasy Story

Writing a fantasy novel requires world-building, a large cast of characters and a complex plot. A typical word count may be something in the order of 110,000 words. This typically winds up around 400 pages which is just awesome for this genre. Only add length to make your story better, not just to make the size of the book bigger.

For example, many well-known novels are smack on these ranges. A typical thriller may be around 80,000 words; epic fantasy books often go well over 100,000 words.

Common Mistakes Made By Beginners

Many beginners concentrate too much on length, the number of pages, rather than the quality of the story. Prioritise clarity and flow above all else, that’s what readers care about.

Making scenes longer just to make your novel long can make your novel boring. Every chapter and every scene should serve a purpose.
Short novels can often feel rushed or unfinished. Make sure that your characters develop and conflicts are appropriately resolved.
Ignoring the genre standards can also be an issue. A 40,000 word fantasy novel may seem too brief for fantasy readers. Keep expectations in mind.
Editing too early may slow you down. Write first and then revise.

A better way to think about length is pacing. If your story flows well and keeps the reader engaged, it will be the right length.

FAQ

1How many pages should a novella for beginners have?

For beginners, it is typically a novel of between 200 and 300 pages or 60,000 to 80,000 words in length. This range is workable and fairly accepted by publishers.

2Is 150 pages considered a novel?

Yes, 150 pages can become a short novel or a novella depending on the number of words.

3How many words does a first novel need to be?

Most first novels go between 60,000 and 90,000 words.

4Can a novel be 500 pages?

Yes, novels can be 500+ pages, especially in genres such as fantasy or historical fiction.

Quick Summary

Most novels: 200-400 pages
Word count is more important than pages
Beginners, aim for 70,000-90,000 words
Genre and audience determine your ideal length

Final Thoughts

So, how many pages is a novel? And the answer is 200 to 400 page but what really does matter is telling a complete story. If you are just starting out, you should aim for between 70,000 - 90,000 words. Don’t worry that much about reaching a certain page count.

In your first draft your only job is to get it done with your story. Remember, your first draft does not have to be perfect, it just needs to be done.

Focus on telling a story you care about, the right length will come naturally.

How Many Words Are in a Novel? (A Beginner-Friendly Guide)

How Long Does It Take to Write a Book?