Word Count to Book Pages

Figuring how to convert your word count to book pages is dependent upon a number of factors. These factors are subject to your vision of your book and the printer/ebook specifications.

Word Count

All of the word processing programs (Word, Page, etc.) have the ability to tell you how many words are in your manuscript. Word count as well as page count can be found on the ribbon at the bottom of your page. The page count is really extraneous for our purposes for it doesn’t translate into book pages unless you are simply going to print your pages out and then bind them. That doesn’t work for professional writers.

Word count is important in the formula that book formatters and printers use to determine page length.

How Many Book Pages?

You can determine an approximate number of book pages by filling in some simple math formulas. The book pages are determined by the trim size of the book, font and typeface, margins, illustrations, and line spacing. So much of this info is still undecided until you consult with your printer/formatter. However, these formulas will give you an idea as to what you have created:

Use a standard 12 point font and typeface such as Courier. For three standard trim sizes of books, here are the formulas:

Trim size 6” x 9”: Divide your word count by 475 to arrive at the approximate number

of pages.

EX. 47,500 words divided by 475 = 100 pages

Trim size 5.5” x 8.5”: Divide your word count by 390 to arrive at the approximate number

of pages

EX. 58,500 words divided by 390 = 150 pages

Another general guideline is to assume that your book will average 300 words per page. Thus, divide your word count by 300 and you again get an approximate number of pages.

Once you have a page count, you are not done. You need to allow pages for illustrations, front and back matter, and any other material which will add to the book pages. Novelists be aware that your dialogue will add pages because of the special formatting that it requires.

Are Book Pages more important than Word Count?

For an author who will be published traditionally, word count is more important. However, if you are self-publishing and paying for everything, book pages will end up being more important than your word count. The more pages, the more expense you will have into the book.