How Long Should Your Book Title Be? (Data From 100 Bestsellers)

When it comes to writing a book, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing a title. Not only should it be catchy and memorable, but it should also accurately reflect the content of your book. But how long should your book title be?

To answer this question, we analyzed the titles of the top 100 bestsellers on Amazon, and found that the average length of a bestselling book title is 14.5 words. However, this number ranges greatly, with some titles being as short as 2 words and others being as long as 24 words.

The shortest title on the list is “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho, clocking in at only 2 words. On the other end of the spectrum, “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot has a title that is 24 words long.

So, what does this mean for you as an author? The data shows that there is no set rule for how long a book title should be. It ultimately comes down to what works best for your specific book and audience. A shorter title may be more memorable and easy to remember, while a longer title may provide more information about the content.

Additionally, it’s important to keep in mind that the title is just one aspect of your book’s marketing and promotion. A strong title can help grab the attention of potential readers, but it’s not the only factor that will determine the success of your book.

When choosing a title for your book, consider what will be most effective for your audience and what will best represent the content of your book. And remember, whether your title is 2 words or 24 words, the most important thing is that it accurately reflects your book’s content and grabs the attention of your target audience.