The number of words in a novel was usually determined by the theme, plot, characters, and the needs of the readers. Different topics and plots required different story content and required different words. The number and complexity of characters would also affect the word count. The needs of readers will also affect the word count. For example, some readers may prefer shorter novels while others prefer longer novels. Generally speaking, the average word count of a novella was between 1 million to 2 million words, while the average word count of a novel was between 3 million to 6 million words. However, this was only a rough reference number. The exact number of words needed to be determined according to the specific situation of the novel. The author and editor should take all these factors into consideration when setting the word limit to ensure the integrity and legibility of the novel.