Free Writing Tools

How Long Should My Book Be? Word Count by Genre Checker

Enter your word count and genre to compare your draft with broad planning ranges. These are starting points, not a verdict on your story or a substitute for a publisher’s submission guidelines.

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The shaded bar is the planning range. The dark mark is your book.

For context, see Mushens Entertainment’s word-count guidance and Harlequin’s series-specific submission requirements. These show why requirements vary; they do not prescribe every range in this tool. Guidance checked October 4, 2026.

Do word count ranges really matter?

✓Word count can matter for traditional publishing, but it is only one part of a submission. Follow the specific agent or publisher’s guidelines.
✓For self-publishing, there’s more freedom, but readers still expect a certain length from each genre.
✓These are Book Nerdection’s broad planning guides. Age category, subgenre, publisher and format can all change the target. No single range applies to every book.
✓Curious how many pages that is? Try the word count to page count calculator.

Frequently asked questions

How does the genre length checker work?

Enter your word count and pick your genre. The tool compares your number with the planning range for that genre and tells you whether you’re under, over or right in the range.

Which genres can I check?

There are 15 to choose from, including literary fiction, romance, mystery and thriller, science fiction, fantasy, horror, young adult contemporary, middle grade and memoir.

Do these ranges apply to every book?

They’re general guides. Established authors and series often run longer, and self-publishing gives you more freedom than traditional publishing.

Not sure what to cut or add?

Our manuscript feedback service can show you where your story drags or rushes.

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