The average novel typically contains between 70,000 and 100,000 words. However, this can vary widely depending on the genre, target audience, and author style. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Average Word Counts by Genre
- Literary fiction: 70,000–100,000 words
- Mystery/Thriller: 70,000–90,000 words
- Science Fiction/Fantasy: 90,000–120,000 words (sometimes longer due to world-building)
- Romance: 50,000–90,000 words
- Young Adult (YA): 50,000–80,000 words
Additional Notes
- Debut novels often aim for around 80,000 words.
- Epic fantasy or historical novels can exceed 150,000 words.
- Shorter novels or novellas range from 20,000 to 50,000 words.
If you want to write a novel or analyze one, this gives a good guideline for typical length!
