How many pages is 120,000 words?
120,000 words makes about 440 pages in a 6 × 9 in paperback with an 11-point font size or about 555 pages in a smaller 5 × 8 in book. As a double-spaced manuscript, it runs about 480 pages.
By the Proselis team · Updated
This estimate is for 120,000 words in a 6 × 9 in paperback with a 11-point font size and 34 chapters.
- Words per page
- ~290
- Manuscript pages
- 480
- Spine width
- 1.105 in
- Reading time
- 8 h 0 min
| Word count | 5 × 8 in | 5.5 × 8.5 in | 6 × 9 in | Manuscript |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50,000 words | 222 | 214 | 186 | 200 |
| 60,000 words | 266 | 254 | 220 | 240 |
| 70,000 words | 318 | 296 | 256 | 280 |
| 75,000 words | 340 | 324 | 274 | 300 |
| 80,000 words | 362 | 346 | 292 | 320 |
| 90,000 words | 406 | 388 | 334 | 360 |
| 100,000 words | 448 | 430 | 370 | 400 |
| 120,000 words | 554 | 530 | 442 | 480 |
These counts use the standard font size and line spacing, with one chapter for every 3,500 words. Manuscript pages are double-spaced at 250 words a page.
What kind of book is 120,000 words?
A hundred and twenty thousand words is long for most genres but typical for epic fantasy and sweeping historical novels.
How long does it take to read 120,000 words?
It takes about 8 hours at an average reading speed of 250 words a minute. Most readers spread a book this length over several sittings.
Questions
Should a 120,000-word novel be split into two books?
Split it only if the story has a natural break. Epic fantasy readers expect long books, but a split can make sense when the first half ends a complete arc.
How thick is a 120,000-word paperback?
At 6 × 9 in on cream paper, its 442 pages make a spine about 1.10 inches wide. White paper is slightly thinner.
How many words are on a page of a printed book?
A printed page holds about 250 to 350 words, depending on the trim size, font size, and line spacing. A 6 × 9 in page with an 11-point font size holds about 300.
Does the page count change the spine width?
Yes. On KDP, each page adds about 0.0025 inches of spine on cream paper and 0.002252 inches on white paper.
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