Page counts and word counts can be converted in various ways, as the conversion depends on the format of the page. This calculator handles all three: 250-word manuscript pages (the submission standard), 300-word published-book pages, and 500-word single-spaced pages. Convert back and forth.
Words per page reference
Not every page count is the same. It depends entirely on formatting. Use the right preset for the question you are answering.
| Format | Words per page | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Manuscript | 250 | Submission to agents or publishers. Times New Roman or Courier 12pt, double-spaced, 1-inch margins. |
| Published book | 300 | The page count a printed paperback or hardcover will have. Useful for visualizing final length. |
| Single-spaced | 500 | Word default. Academic papers. Anything single-spaced in 12pt with normal margins. |
| Trade paperback | 250 | A bit denser than 300. Use this for genre paperbacks with smaller print. |
| Mass market paperback | 350 | The smaller-format paperbacks at airports and grocery stores. Higher word density per page. |
Common word counts in pages
Quick reference for typical project lengths. Manuscript and published-book columns shown side by side.
| Word count | Manuscript pages (250 wpp) | Book pages (300 wpp) |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 (novelette / long short story) | 40 | 33 |
| 20,000 (novella) | 80 | 67 |
| 40,000 (short novel / middle-grade) | 160 | 133 |
| 50,000 (NaNoWriMo target / short novel) | 200 | 167 |
| 70,000 (short adult novel) | 280 | 233 |
| 80,000 (typical debut novel) | 320 | 267 |
| 100,000 (long novel) | 400 | 333 |
| 120,000 (epic fantasy / sci-fi) | 480 | 400 |
| 200,000 (long-form fanfic / epic novel) | 800 | 667 |
Why "page count" is a moving target
The same novel can run 320 or 600 pages depending on typesetting: trim size, font, leading, margins. That range is why agents ask for word counts. Word count is invariant. Page count is a styling decision.
For your own planning, pick the words-per-page that matches what you want to achieve. Submitting a manuscript? Use 250. Wondering how thick the printed book will be? Use 300. Estimating a single-spaced essay? Use 500.
How long does it take to write that many pages?
Once you know your page target, the next question is how long it will take. Use the daily word goal calculator to plan a daily target around a deadline, or read how long does it take to write a novel for the data-backed answer.