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What is a Good Word Count for an E-book?

What is a Good Word Count for an E-book?

  • 06 September, 2025
  • Zlatan Demirovic

If you're wondering what is a good word count for an ebook, you're not alone. It’s one of the most common questions asked by new authors and digital content creators—and it’s more important than you might think.

Whether you’re trying to sell ebooks, educate, entertain, or simply get your story out there, the length of your ebook plays a big role in your success. Let’s dive in.

E-book Readers: What Do They Expect?

Understanding ebook readers is the first step. People who buy ebooks, from casual scrollers on a Kindle to students needing quick resources.

While traditional book readers might love hefty volumes, e-book readers often prefer shorter, more digestible formats, because reading on screens is different. Eyes tire faster, and distractions are just a swipe away.

If you're wondering how long is an e-book?, think of the reader first. For example, an average ebook size targeting busy professionals could be 10,000–20,000 words, while a fiction reader may enjoy longer narratives, like 60,000–80,000 words.

Quick-Specs Box: Reader Preferences

  • Average Ebook Size: 10,000 – 80,000 words

  • Fiction Ebooks: 60,000 – 100,000 words

  • Non-fiction Ebooks: 10,000 – 30,000 words

  • Reading Time: 30 mins to 3 hours

  • Preferred Devices: Kindle, Kobo, tablet, smartphone

  • Best Ebook Readers: Kindle Paperwhite, Kobo Libra 2, Kindle Oasis

Sell E-books: Why Word Count Matters

Sell E-books: Why Word Count Matters

If you want to sell ebooks online successfully, you need to align your word count with buyer expectations. Pricing, marketing, and reviews can be influenced by how long your ebook is.

Platforms like Amazon take ebook length into account. If it’s too short, readers may leave poor reviews. If it’s too long without real value, they may feel let down.

When you publish ebooks online, make sure you're hitting that sweet spot. Aim for 25,000 to 50,000 words for how-to guides or thought-leadership content.

Focus point, readers will judge your book by its length—right after the cover!

E-books Online: How They’re Measured

Most online marketplaces display ebooks online in terms of page count. But here’s the catch: page count varies based on formatting, device, and font.

So, how many words are in it, really?

  • 250 – 300 words per page

  • 25,000-word ebook = ~100 pages

  • 60,000-word ebook = ~240 pages

That brings us to a key question: how many pages should an ebook be? For fiction, 150–250 pages feels substantial. For non-fiction, 70–150 pages work well.

Best E-book Readers: Do Devices Affect Word Count?

The best ebook readers—like Kindle Paperwhite or Kobo Clara—adjust fonts and layouts, so page counts vary. 

Instead of worrying about device compatibility or how long should an e-book be, just focus on the average size of e-book in words and make sure your content delivers real value.

What is an E-book: Format vs. Length

Before we go further, let’s answer the basic question: what is e-book? It's a digital book, sure—but it's also a user experience.

E-book formats (like EPUB, MOBI, PDF) have different formatting standards, which may impact perceived length.

You may wonder if there's a one-size-fits-all length. There isn't. Your ebook's ideal word count depends on content type, goal, and target audience.

Some authors model their work after popular formats—like the ebook It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover, which runs about 90,000 words. Not a quick read, but clearly a crowd favorite.

How to Make an E-book: Length Is Just One Piece

If you're figuring out how to make an ebook, don’t get stuck on word count alone. Structure, value, and design matter too.

Still, a clear structure linked to your ebook’s length helps avoid bloat. If your outline has 10 chapters and each chapter has 1,500 words, that’s a neat 15,000-word ebook—perfect for beginners.

Remember, a solid ebook, no matter the length, will sell. So keep focus, and write with intent.

Also Read More blog : Books That Must Be Read by Everyone

How to Prepare E-book for Publication

How to Prepare E-book for Publication

Now comes the practical part: how to prepare e-book for publication.

Here’s where word count shines. It helps with:

  • Formatting decisions

  • Pricing strateg

  • Category placement on ebook platforms

Whether your goal is to buy ebooks for research or publish them yourself, aim for a professional layout and correct metadata. 

Don’t forget to optimize your keywords, like ebook what is, average ebook size, and yes—what is a good word count for an ebook.

How to Write an Ebook That’s the Right Length

So, if you're wondering how to write an ebook with the ideal word count?

Here’s the golden rule: every word must earn its place.

  • Fiction: 60,000–90,000 words

  • Non-fiction: 20,000–40,000 words

  • Lead magnets/listicles: 5,000–10,000 words

Be clear about your goals. For lead generation, keep ebooks short. For authority-building, write in-depth. For romance like Verity, aim for around 80,000 words.

Buy E-books: Reader Habits Matter

The way people buy e-books is also changing. Subscription models, bundles, and promotions (like e-book deals) mean readers are more experimental.

That makes your word count even more important. A shorter ebook with a strong hook might sell better than a lengthy one.

And if you're trying to tap into trends like buying affordable, shorter formats, let you create series, sequels, or companion guides.

E-book Deals and Reader Expectations

Ebook deals often favor shorter works. Why? They're quicker to consume and easier to bundle.

Readers on Kindle Unlimited, for example, might binge five 20,000-word ebooks in a weekend instead of one 100,000-word novel.

So if you're asking how many words is in it, remember: sometimes less is more. Your readers might love bite-sized brilliance over epic overkill.

Where to Purchase E-books and Analyze Competitors

Before you publish, do some research. Check out where to purchase ebooks, study bestselling titles, and see how long they are.

Platforms like Amazon and Kobo let you preview page counts. Use this to set benchmarks.

Compare with hits like e-book It Ends With Us or Verity ebook to see what your audience expects in both fiction and non-fiction.

Final Thoughts: What is a Good Word Count for an E-book?

So, what is a good word count for an e-book? The short answer: It depends.

But here’s a quick spec sheet:

  • Lead magnets or guides: 3,000–10,000 words

  • Non-fiction: 10,000–30,000 words

  • Thought leadership: 30,000–50,000 words

  • Fiction (novels): 60,000–100,000+ words

  • Short fiction: 15,000–40,000 words

Ultimately, your ebook should be just long enough to deliver value.

For expert tips, publishing strategies, and content creation tools, visit Prodigy Life Pro to make your ebook a success.

FAQs

Q. What is the average word count for an e-book?

The average word count for an ebook varies by type. Non-fiction is often 10,000–40,000 words, while fiction spans 60,000–100,000+. 

Q. How many words should a good e-book be?

A good ebook balances depth with engagement. Non-fiction works well at 20,000–50,000 words, while fiction thrives at 60,000–90,000. 

Q. How many words are in a 100-page e-book?

A 100-page ebook averages 25,000–30,000 words, based on 250–300 words per page. Design, font, and visuals affect count.

Q. How many words are in an e-book?

Word count depends on the type. Guides may be 3,000–5,000 words, non-fiction 25,000–50,000, and fiction 80,000+.

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