Children’s Book Word Counts by Age Group
One of the most common questions new authors ask is: how long should a children’s book be? The answer depends on the age of your reader and the type of book you’re writing.
Children’s publishing has fairly well-established word count ranges for different categories. Picture books, early readers, chapter books, middle grade novels, and young adult fiction each have typical lengths that publishers and editors expect.
These guidelines exist because reading ability, attention span, and storytelling complexity change as children grow. A four-year-old listening to a picture book needs a very different reading experience than a twelve-year-old reading a middle grade novel independently.
In this guide, we’ll look at the typical children’s book word counts by age group and explain how these ranges can help you shape your manuscript.
If you’re just getting started, you may also want to read our complete guide on how to write a children’s book, which walks through the entire process from idea to finished manuscript.
Board Book Word Counts
Board books for babies and toddlers rely heavily on images and very simple language, often just a few words per page. Typically 0-100 words.
Picture Book Word Counts
Illustrated stories and nonfiction for children ages 3-6, or 4-8. Designed to be read out loud to a child.
Text averages 1000 words or less (300-800 words is most common); books average 32 pages. The text focuses on the characters, plot and action of the book.
Very little description. For nonfiction, text can center on basic information the reader would find interesting and relevant to their lives, or be in a narrative format (as with picture book biographies). Learn more about writing picture books here.
Easy Reader Word Counts
For readers kindergarten through second or third grade. Designed to be read by children just learning to read on their own.
Books can be 32-64 pages long, fiction or nonfiction, with texts ranging from about 500 words up to 2000 words.
Books are “leveled”, with the simplest, shortest stories being Level 1, getting longer and more complex as the levels increase. Higher levels may have short chapters. Each publisher has its own leveling system. Learn more about writing easy readers here.
Chapter Book Word Counts
Called “transitional books” (ages 6-9), or “chapter books” (ages 7- 10), these short novels are broken into chapters that average 3-5 pages each.
Books range from 64-96 pages; manuscripts average 5000-15,000 words (transitional books being on the shorter end).
Characters can be animals, fantasy creatures or children, though child characters are the most common. Learn more about writing chapter books here.
Middle Grade Novel Word Counts
Novels or nonfiction for ages 8-12 or 10-14. Lengths can vary from 84-200 pages (novels are usually over 100 pages long), or 30,000-60,000 words.
Illustrated nonfiction may have fewer words. Characters are children ages 9-14 (average character in middle grade novel is 10-13 years old).
Protagonists can also be animals or fantasy creatures. Adults are almost never central characters. Stories can be in any genre (mysteries, fantasy, historical, and contemporary are popular), but the central conflict must be relevant to the middle grade reader. Learn more about writing middle grade novels here.
Young Adult Novel Word Counts
Fiction and nonfiction for ages 12 and up or 14 and up. Books tend to be 150 pages or longer. Manuscripts are generally 40,000 words and higher.
Fiction can be any genre. Some of the most popular are fantasy, paranormal, dystopian, cyber punk, science fiction, historical, thriller, mystery and contemporary stories. Learn more about writing YA/young adult novels here.
More Guides & Tips:
- How to Write a Children’s Book
- Develop Great Characters
- Master the Five Types of Children’s Book Plots
- Build a Story Chapter by Chapter
