Free Writing Tools

Writing Goal Calculator: Daily Word Count Planner

Set your goal and deadline, pick the days you actually write, and get a daily word count you can stick to. Planning a 50,000-word novel in November? The deadline is already set for you.

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Days you write

Tips for hitting your writing goal

✓Only mark the days you’ll really write. A plan built around five honest days beats one built around seven wishful ones.
✓Update your words written as you go. The tool remembers your numbers, so your daily target adjusts when you have a big day or a missed one.
✓Write first, edit later. Getting words down is the goal for a first draft.
✓Not sure how long your book should be? Check the book length by genre tool. If you’re stuck for ideas, try the plot generator.

Frequently asked questions

How is my daily word count calculated?

The calculator subtracts the words you’ve already written from your goal, then divides what’s left across the writing days between today and your deadline. Today counts if it’s one of your writing days.

What if I miss a day?

Update the “Words written so far” box and your daily target adjusts across the days that are left.

Does the tool save my plan?

Your goal, progress, deadline and writing days are saved in your own browser, so they’re still there when you return on the same device. The tool does not send these entries to Book Nerdection.

Draft finished?

When the draft is finished, our manuscript feedback service can help you see what to revise.

Get manuscript feedback →