How many words does an average novel have?

From Google AI:

The average word count for a standard adult novel is generally between 70,000 and 100,000 words. While 40,000 words is considered the minimum threshold, most fiction publishers look for manuscripts in the 80k–100k range, with 90,000 words often cited as the “sweet spot” for debut authors. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Word Counts by Genre (Adult Fiction)

• Literary/Contemporary Fiction: 80,000–100,000 words.
• Fantasy & Sci-Fi: 90,000–120,000 words.
• Thriller & Mystery: 70,000–90,000 words.
• Romance: 50,000–100,000 words.
• Historical Fiction: 90,000–110,000 words. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Key Considerations

• YA Fiction: Generally lower, aiming for 50,000–70,000 words.
• Debut Authors: It is crucial for new authors to stick closer to these guidelines. Over 110,000–120,000 words can be considered too long, signaling a need for heavy editing to agents and publishers.
• Novellas: These typically fall between 17,500 and 40,000 words. [1, 2, 3, 4]

These guidelines are based on industry standards, ensuring the story is well-developed but not excessively long.

Guest Post – Simple Travel

https://indiasafaristrends.wordpress.com/2026/04/29/guest-post-simple-travel/

30.5k words. I learned more things about football. People keep trying to explain to the protagonist that he doesn't have to be responsible for everything, but he doesn't have a frame of reference to grasp that. Not that I know what that's like or anything...

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