Book Page Count Estimator

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Enter your manuscript word count and choose a typical words-per-page density to forecast the length of your printed book.

Provide a word count to estimate page length.

Typical words per page

Format Words per page Notes
Mass market paperback 250 Small trim size, tight leading, minimal whitespace
Trade paperback 300 Larger trim and comfortable margins common in fiction
Large print 200 14–16 pt fonts with generous leading for accessibility
Picture book 180 Illustrations and captions reduce text density

How the calculation works

The core formula divides total words by the words that fit on a typical page:

pages=wordswordsPerPage

The script rounds up using Math.ceil so partial pages count as a full page in print. Adjusting the words-per-page dropdown simulates the impact of font size, margins, and trim size on final length. Selecting 300 words per page approximates a tightly set trade paperback; choosing 180 mimics children’s layouts with full-bleed art.

Why page estimates matter

While authors draft by word count, printers quote by page count. Knowing the approximate number of pages helps you plan production budgets, estimate spine width, and align with genre expectations. A 75,000-word novel at 250 words per page produces roughly 300 pages; increasing density to 300 words per page lowers that to about 250 pages, while large-print formatting raises it to 375 pages. Those differences affect print cost, shipping weight, and even bookshelf appeal.

Factors that influence page count

Layout choices—font family, size, line spacing, margins, and chapter breaks—all affect how many words fit on a page. Nonfiction books with tables or figures may add blank space that inflates page count beyond pure text estimates. Front and back matter such as title pages, acknowledgments, indexes, and glossaries add additional pages. Use this estimator for the manuscript body, then add a buffer for supplementary sections.

Genre benchmarks

Genres carry typical lengths. Romance often ranges from 50,000 to 90,000 words (about 200–360 pages at 250 words per page). Thrillers and fantasy novels frequently exceed 100,000 words. Nonfiction titles vary widely: a concise business book may be 40,000 words, while a comprehensive history can reach 200,000 words. Comparing your manuscript to these norms helps set reader expectations and choose an appropriate trim size.

Print and digital considerations

Print-on-demand services charge per page, so reducing density can increase costs. Conversely, overly tight layouts harm readability. In digital formats, reflowable text means page numbers are fluid, but marketplaces still reference print-equivalent pages when calculating royalties, especially on Kindle Direct Publishing. Estimating page count lets you communicate length consistently across paperback, hardcover, and ebook editions.

Using the estimator during drafting

Monitoring estimated pages during revision prevents surprises. Cutting redundancies lowers page count; adding appendices raises it. Students and academic writers can convert word-count requirements into approximate page counts (250 words per double-spaced page with 12-point Times New Roman and one-inch margins). Plotting page count changes after each revision pass provides a quantitative view of progress.

Beyond the basics

Professional typesetting tools handle widows, orphans, and chapter starts that create small deviations from linear estimates. Paper stock influences physical thickness, so printers use page count along with paper weight to determine spine width. Although this calculator focuses on text density, it provides the foundation for these downstream calculations, including shipping carton estimates and pricing strategy.

Tips for accuracy

Summary

The Book Page Count Estimator combines a simple formula with detailed context to help authors plan printing logistics, align with genre norms, and budget for production. By understanding how formatting choices affect page count, you can move from manuscript to finished book with confidence and communicate expectations to editors, designers, and printers.

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