NaNoWriMo Calculator

Stay on pace for your novel by knowing the daily word count you need.

How the Math Works

The NaNoWriMo Calculator uses a simple subtraction and division formula to determine your daily writing requirement. It takes your total word goal (typically 50,000 words for National Novel Writing Month) and subtracts the number of words you've already written. This remaining word count is then divided by the number of days left in your writing period, giving you the precise average words you need to write each day to reach your target. For example, if your goal is 50,000 words, you've written 15,000, and have 20 days remaining, the calculation would be (50,000 - 15,000) / 20 = 1,750 words per day.

Practical Applications

To use this calculator effectively, simply enter your total word goal, the current word count of your manuscript, and the number of days remaining in your writing challenge. The calculator instantly processes these numbers using the formula and displays your required daily word count. You can adjust your input values as your progress changes throughout the writing period, allowing you to recalculate your daily targets based on your updated word count and remaining time. This helps you stay on track and make informed decisions about how much you need to write each day.

Day-to-Day Use

This calculator serves as your daily roadmap for achieving writing goals, transforming an overwhelming large target into manageable daily tasks. Instead of feeling daunted by the prospect of writing a massive novel, you can focus on the concrete number of words needed for that specific day. This tool helps you maintain momentum, prevents last-minute panic, and allows you to celebrate small daily victories. Whether you're participating in NaNoWriMo or working on any personal writing project with a deadline, knowing exactly how many words to tackle each day reduces anxiety and increases your chances of success.

Worked example

12,000 of 50,000 words with 20 days left needs 1900 words/day.

FAQ