Book length calculator
Enter your word count and see which publishing category it falls into, from flash fiction to epic novel.
Paste text or enter a word count to classify it.
How the classification works
The tool compares your word count with six ranges: flash fiction below 1,000; short story from 1,000 to below 7,500; novelette from 7,500 to below 17,500; novella from 17,500 to below 40,000; novel from 40,000 to below 110,000; and epic or long novel from 110,000 upward. The 7,500, 17,500 and 40,000 boundaries correspond to Nebula Award length categories. Splitting out flash fiction and long novels is a convention of this tool, not an additional Nebula rule.
Why word count categories are guidelines, not rules
- These ranges are conventions, not laws. A 39,000-word manuscript is a novella by this table but could be published as a short novel if the publisher wants to call it one.
- Genre expectations override raw word count. A 50,000-word mystery is a normal novel; a 50,000-word epic fantasy is short for the genre.
- Self-publishing has no gatekeeper enforcing these ranges. They matter most when submitting to traditional publishers or literary contests that specify a category.
Questions about book length
How many words is a novel?
For the Nebula Awards, a novel has at least 40,000 words, with no 110,000-word upper boundary. This tool displays manuscripts of 110,000 words or more separately as epic or long novels. Check the requirements of the publisher or contest receiving your work.
What is the difference between a novella and a novelette?
A novelette runs from about 7,500 to 17,500 words, and a novella from 17,500 to 40,000. The distinction matters mainly for literary awards and magazine submissions. In bookstores, both get shelved wherever they fit.
Where do these word count ranges come from?
The Nebula Awards define short story, novelette, novella and novel categories. This tool adds flash-fiction and long-novel subdivisions for reference. They are not universal publishing requirements. Official rules: https://nebulas.sfwa.org/about-the-nebulas/nebula-rules/
