What Are Short Story, Novella, and Novel Word Counts?
Learn short story word count, novelette word count, novella word count and novel word count with clear word counts ranges and examples with tips for selecting the word count for your genre.
Quick Summary
- Short stories typically have a word count of 7,500 words or less. They are best suited to one idea, one main conflict or one emotional turning point.
- Novelettes usually fall between 7,500 and 17,500 words. They provide more space for the writer than a short story but limit the writing to one central story line.
- Novellas usually range from 17,500 to 40,000 words.They can be full stories, but not novels, and can have a full plot, good character development, and a good ending.
- Novels typically begin at 40,000 words, but numerous business novels are longer. The most common size of an adult novel is 70,000 to 100,000 words, depending on genre.
- The correct word count is of course related to the size of the story. A little thought should not be expanded too much; a large thought should not be condensed too much.
Quick Word Count Guide
| Format | Typical Word Count |
|---|---|
| Flash fiction | Under 1,000 words |
| Short story | Up to 7,500 words |
| Novelette | 7,500 to 17,500 words |
| Novella | 17,500 to 40,000 words |
| Novel | 40,000+ words |
| Standard commercial novel | 70,000 to 100,000 words |
These ranges provide guidelines, not rules. These may be slightly different depending on journals, genres, awards, literature.These are ranges of word count that I use to guide myself as a practical rule, rather than a rule. I use the common cutoff for Nebula and Hugo Awards between short stories, novelettes, novellas, and novels for this guide.
What Is a Short Story?
A short story is a complete story, typically under 7,500 words. It centers a single idea, a conflict, a moment of character, or an emotional moment.
A short story cannot have several subplots, a number of characters, or lengthy background story like a novel. All scenes, details and dialogue must contribute to the central effect.
Common Short Story Word Counts
Most short stories are in one of these ranges:
| Type | Word Count |
|---|---|
| Micro fiction | Under 300 words |
| Flash fiction | 300 to 1,000 words |
| Short short story | 1,000 to 2,500 words |
| Standard short story | 2,500 to 7,500 words |
Even if a story is only 1,000 words, it can be complete if it has one sharp moment. A6,000 word story can enable you to develop your characters, build up your setting, and create a more robust story arc.
Best Uses for Short Stories
Short stories are suitable for a concentrated and succinct idea.
They are ideal for:
- The graph has exactly one turning point.
- A short emotional interest.
- A moral dilemma
- A character snapshot
- A twist ending
- An enclosed battle
- Literary magazines and anthologies
The fewer words, the more selective the writer should be. A short story shouldn't sound like the recap of a novel. It should be deliberately cut so that it is the right length.
What Is a Novelette?
A novelette is between a short story and novella in length. Typically, it ranges from7,500 to 17,500 words.
The novelette is a variant on the short story and novella, and is a significant genre of fiction, particularly in science fiction, fantasy, and horror, as well as in literary awards.
What Makes a Novelette Different?
A novelette is still a short story, but it requires more space than a short story does, and that space can be used for a focused story.
It may include:
- A more mature lead.An advanced main character.
- A clearer beginning, middle, and end should be provided.
- Two or more non-leading characters
- It is a more complex conflict.It is a more “layered” conflict.
- A richer setting
- A gradual accumulation of feelings.
But a novelette is generally not as large as a novella or novel. It should still have a main theme.
When to Write a Novelette
A novelette is appropriate when your idea seems too big for a short story, but not too big for a novella. It is particularly suitable for speculative fiction, character-driven literary fiction, mystery, and horror.
What Is a Novella?
Novella is a short novel which is typically between 17,500 and 40,000 words. It is a length and story structure in between a short story and a novel.
There is enough space for a complete story, good character development and a satisfying ending in a novella, but it is still more focused than a full-length novel.
Common Novella Word Counts
| Novella Type | Word Count |
|---|---|
| Short novella | 17,500 to 25,000 words |
| Standard novella | 25,000 to 35,000 words |
| Long novella | 35,000 to 40,000 words |
Novellas are generally not published unless it is under 50,000 words, but after 40k words, it's starting to get into short novel territory.
What Makes a Novella Work?
A good novella typically has one central story-line, has few characters, and has a narrow narrative question. It may develop more fully than a short story, focusing on character, theme and setting, but it should not be expansive.
For novella to be effective it should include:
- One central conflict
- One primary protagonist
- While the majority of the cast consists of minor players, there are still many major characters.
- Few or no subplots
- A focused setting or time frame
- A clear emotional or thematic structure.
Novellas are particularly good for stories that require depth but not the expansive framework of a novel.
What Is a Novel?
A novel is normally a work of fiction and is usually considered to be a minimum of40,000 words in length. Many novels, however, exceed this length, especially in commercial publishing, where 70,000–100,000 words is not an unusual size.
The novel is the largest fiction genre. It can include multiple characters, subplots, layered themes, complex worldbuilding, and transform over time.
Common Novel Word Counts by Genre
| Genre | Typical Word Count |
|---|---|
| Middle grade fiction | 25,000 to 50,000 words |
| Young adult fiction | 50,000 to 80,000 words |
| Romance | 50,000 to 90,000 words |
| Mystery and thriller | 70,000 to 90,000 words |
| Literary fiction | 70,000 to 100,000 words |
| Historical fiction | 80,000 to 120,000 words |
| Fantasy and science fiction | 90,000 to 120,000 words |
Genre matters because reader expectations differ. A cozy mystery may feel complete at 75,000 words, while an epic fantasy novel may need more room for worldbuilding, magic systems, politics, and multiple points of view.
Short Story vs. Novella vs. Novel
The main difference between a short story, novella, and novel is not just length. Word count affects structure, pacing, character development, and the size of the story’s world.
| Element | Short Story | Novella | Novel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | Brief | Medium | Long |
| Plot | One focused conflict | One main plot | Main plot plus subplots |
| Cast | Small | Limited | Larger |
| Setting | Minimal or focused | Moderately developed | Fully developed |
| Pacing | Fast and concentrated | Controlled and direct | More varied |
| Character arc | One key change or realization | Clear but focused growth | Deep transformation |
| Reading experience | Quick and intense | Complete but concise | Immersive and layered |
A short story has an impact through compression. A novella is a story that's focused for depth. Immersion in a novel comes from expansion.
Why Word Count Matters
Word count is significant because it influences a story's formatting, editing, marketing and publishing.As far as word count I think about if the word count reflects the size of the idea. A story should be full at its length, not long or hurried.
1. Word Count Helps Define the Story’s Scope
The plot of a 5,000-word short story is not going to be as strong as a 90,000-word novel. Attempting to establish a novel-sized idea in a short story may result in rushed scenes and underdeveloped characters.Similarly, with a small idea, you can expand it to be a novel, resulting in filler, repetition and weak pacing.
2. Word Count Affects Reader Expectations
Each reader reads each form in a different way. A short story reader is looking for focus and immediacy. A reader of a novel would want a more continuous experience.A novella reader typically expects a full story, but not as lengthy as a novel, and faster than a short story.
3. Word Count Influences Publishing Options
Short stories are frequently published in literary magazines. Novellas may be submitted to some digital publishers and small presses. Traditional publishers are more interested in full-length novels, particularly when it comes to commercial fiction.That isn't to say that one is better than another. It indicates that writers need to know the place of their manuscript before they submit, query, or self-publish.
4. Word Count Helps With Editing
Helpful to the writer when revising because they know their target length. Very short manuscripts might require additional development for the category. If it's too long, it might require more pacing, less sub plot or simpler prose.
How to Choose the Right Length for Your Story?
The length of the idea depends on the size of the idea.Use a short story when the concept is one event, decision, image or emotional shift.For stories that require greater space but remain tightly focused, use a novelette.Consider a novella when the story has a full narrative, rich character growth and a limited number of characters.If the story needs lots of big scenes, subplots, more character development and a more expansive world, pick a novel.
A valuable one to ask is: What does the story need to change? The more the transformation, the larger the story may be.
Common Word Count Mistakes Writers Make
Writing a Short Story That Wants to Be a Novel
It might not be a short story if it contains several distinct storylines, a lot of characters, a lot of worldbuilding, and a lot of main story conflicts. May have to be a novella or novel.
Stretching a Small Idea Too Far
Not all ideas have to be 80,000 words. If the conflict resolves on its own in 20,000 words, it can be a more effective novella.
Ignoring Genre Expectations
Sometimes, a fan novel of 45,000 words doesn't have enough content for an adult fantasy novel, and a romance of 120,000 words might not be worth the purchase if the story doesn't warrant it.
Confusing “Long” With “Complete”
Don't confuse quality with length of manuscript. Complete stories are those that live up to their promise to the reader, regardless of whether it's a word story or a 90,000-word book.
My golden rule is: pick the length that allows your story to present these elements of conflict, character change, and ending in an obvious way.
You can use the free word counter while drafting, then compare your target with word count in pages and word count vs character count.
Interesting Research Facts
Full citations are in Sources below.
Historical shift in novel length
Novel length has also gradually evolved in history, from shorter in the early 19th century to the modern range of 80,000-100,000 words.
Source: Historical shift in novel length
Short stories vs. novels
Short stories are more likely to have a more tightly knit language and fewer subplots; novels will be longer and have more variety of registers and world-building.
Source: Short stories vs. novels
40,000-word publishing threshold
Consider 40,000 words as the high-water mark for a novella and anything over may be more difficult to publish, print, and market.
Source: 40,000-word publishing threshold
50,000-word analysis benchmark
Corpus linguistics and corpus stylometry studies need longer texts for better data of authorial style and structural patterns to be acquired, as the so-called 50,000-word analysis benchmark dictates.
Source: 50,000-word analysis benchmark
Sentence length and book length
Longer forms of fiction may offer more complex syntax, more exposition, or more character development than shorter forms of fiction.
Source: Sentence length and book length
Frequently Asked Questions
1.Is 40,000 words enough for a novel?
Yes. Technically a novel, but many commercial novels, particularly in the adult field, are longer than 40,000 words.
2.Is 20,000 words too short for a book?
No. I would describe it as a novella, not a novel, which is 20,000 words at most.
3.Is 10,000 words a short story or a novella?
I generally consider 10,000 words to be a novelette. It is longer than a short story and not so long as a novella.
4.Can a short story be over 7,500 words?
It may be, but many guides would consider it a novelette if it's more than 7,500 words. Be sure to read the rules for the submission.
5.Is 50,000 words enough for a novel?
Yes, 50,000 words is a novel, particularly in some genres. It might be too short for adult fantasy, historical fiction, or commercial fiction, though.
6.Does the teacher state a word count or a page count?
I would use the word count. The number of pages will vary depending on font, spacing, trim size and formatting.
7.Do contests have word count limits?
Yes. I would take any word count restriction given in a contest seriously, unless they state otherwise in the rules.
8.Should I add more words just so I can make more words, just to make novel size?
No. If it requires more scenes, character growth, conflict or resolution, then I will expand it. Any unnecessary words can detract from the story.
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Muneeb Maqsood is an SEO Expert, AEO & GEO Specialist with over 5 years of experience focused on delivering measurable business growth. He helps brands improve search visibility, attract qualified leads, and most importantly, convert organic traffic into paying customers through strategic, intent-driven optimization.
He has worked with and helped grow multiple established brands including Viking Bags, Elite Sports, and GForce Security, delivering performance-focused SEO strategies that improve rankings, visibility, and conversions. His work is centered on turning SEO into a revenue channel by aligning search intent with business outcomes and sustainable growth.
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