How Many Words Per Day to Write a Novel
There is no single right answer, but there are clear guidelines based on your timeline and experience level.
Recommended daily targets
- Just starting out: 200-300 words/day. Focus on building the habit first.
- Steady pace: 500 words/day. The sweet spot for most writers.
- Serious pace: 1,000 words/day. A novel in under 3 months.
- Sprint pace: 1,667+ words/day. NaNoWriMo speed.
How to find your number
Write for a week at a comfortable pace. Do not push. Check your average daily word count. That is your baseline. Set your goal slightly above it - enough to stretch, not enough to burn out.
Time vs. words
Most people write 500-1,000 words per hour. So:
- 300 words = about 20 minutes
- 500 words = about 30-45 minutes
- 1,000 words = about 1-1.5 hours
- 2,000 words = about 2-3 hours
Track your daily output
Whatever number you pick, track it. BookBeast lets you log your daily words and see how you are doing against your goal. Over time, you will see your natural rhythm and can adjust accordingly.