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Quick answer: The difference is length. Using the common SFWA categories, a novel is 40,000 words or more, a novella is about 17,500 to 40,000 words, a novelette is about 7,500 to 17,500 words and a short story is under 7,500. Awards such as the Hugo and Nebula use these cutoffs, though publishers and readers sometimes use slightly different ones.
Quick facts
Novel: 40,000+ words
Novella: about 17,500 to 40,000 words
Novelette: about 7,500 to 17,500 words
Short story: under 7,500 words
Cutoffs vary by award and publisher
Length labels help readers know how much time a story will take and help writers enter contests. Here is a clear guide to the categories, with examples of well-known books in each.
Table of Contents
Word Count Categories
| Form | Word count | About how many pages |
|---|---|---|
| Flash fiction | under 1,000 | 1 to 4 |
| Short story | under 7,500 | up to 25 |
| Novelette | 7,500 to 17,500 | 25 to 65 |
| Novella | 17,500 to 40,000 | 65 to 145 |
| Novel | 40,000+ | 145+ |
These boundaries follow the guidelines used by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America for the Nebula Awards. Other groups use different numbers; for example, some say a novel starts at 50,000 words.
Famous Examples
Examples of novellas include A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Animal Farm by George Orwell, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck and The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway, which each run about 27,000 to 35,000 words. The Great Gatsby, at roughly 47,000 words, is generally called a short novel. Novelettes are rarer in print and often appear in magazines and anthologies.
Why Do These Labels Matter?
For readers, a novella offers a complete story in a single sitting or a weekend. For writers, many contests and magazines have strict word limits. For publishers, shorter works have different costs and markets, though digital publishing has made novellas popular again. Some series use novellas to fill in side stories between full-length books.
Is a Novella Just a Short Novel?
Not exactly. Novellas often focus on a single main plot, with fewer subplots and characters, and can have a tight, intense feel. Novels have more room for complexity. Some readers enjoy novellas for their focus, and fans of novella collections find them satisfying on a busy schedule.
How Long Does It Take to Read Each?
At an average pace of 240 words per minute, a novelette takes 30 to 70 minutes, a novella 1.2 to 2.8 hours and a typical 80,000-word novel about 5.5 hours. A short story can be read in a single break. Choose the length that fits your time.
What About Epics and Doorstoppers?
Books over 120,000 words are often called long novels or epics, and fantasy sagas can exceed 400,000 words. They have no special label, but readers and publishers treat them as heavy reads that need more time and commitment.
Novella Series and Serial Fiction
Novellas have become popular in series, especially in fantasy and science fiction. Authors release short installments that build a larger world, and readers enjoy fast, satisfying stories. Some publishers sell novellas as stand-alone ebooks at lower prices. If you are new to the form, look for award-winning novellas from recent years, such as those on Hugo and Nebula lists.
Writing a Novella
If you are a writer, a novella can be a good project, long enough to develop characters but short enough to finish. Aim for a focused plot, a small cast and a clear ending. Many authors write novellas as a step toward longer work, and some prefer them permanently. Contest rules often specify word counts, so check them before you submit.
Reading Short Fiction in a Busy Life
Short forms fit modern schedules. A short story can be read at lunch, a novelette on a train ride and a novella in a weekend. Anthologies mix lengths, so you can taste different styles. If you want to read more but have little time, short fiction is a rewarding way to keep the habit.
A Short Reading List by Length
If you want to sample each form, here is a starter list. For short stories, try collections by Alice Munro, Ted Chiang or Jhumpa Lahiri. For novellas, try Animal Farm, Of Mice and Men, The Old Man and the Sea or A Christmas Carol. For short novels, read The Great Gatsby or Of Mice and Men again with the length in mind. For full novels, nearly any bestseller will do. Mixing lengths across the year keeps reading fresh and lets you finish more books, which is satisfying in itself.
Common Mistakes When Labeling Length
People often call any short book a novella, but the label depends on word count, not page count. A book with large print may look short but exceed 40,000 words. Others call a long short story a novelette. If you need accuracy, for example when entering a contest, count the words with your word processor and check the contest’s own definitions. Because definitions differ, always follow the rules of the specific award, publisher or magazine that you are dealing with.
Related: what a novella is and how many words are in an average novel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a novel and a novella?
Mainly length: novellas are about 17,500 to 40,000 words, and novels are longer.
How many words is a novelette?
About 7,500 to 17,500 words.
Is Animal Farm a novella?
Yes, it is commonly called a novella.
Is a novella easier to publish?
It depends; fewer print markets exist, but ebooks and small presses welcome them.
How many pages is a novella?
Roughly 65 to 145 pages.