Audiobook Length Estimator
Finished audiobook hours from your word count
Audiobook production is priced in finished hours, not words, so the first thing you need is an honest estimate of how long your book will run. That number drives narrator cost, studio time and what you can expect back from retail.
How many words is one finished hour?
Professional narration averages about 9,300 words per finished hour, which is roughly 155 words per minute. Non-fiction with lists and technical terms narrates slower, closer to 8,500. Fast-paced dialogue can reach 10,000.
What is a "finished hour"?
A finished hour is one hour of the final, edited, listenable audio. It is not the time spent recording. Producing one finished hour usually takes a narrator between two and six hours of studio and editing work, which is why per-finished-hour pricing exists.
What does audiobook narration cost?
Independent narrators typically charge $150 to $400 per finished hour, with experienced or union talent going higher. A 90,000-word novel is about 9.7 finished hours, so a $250 rate puts production near $2,400. AI narration costs a fraction of that, which is why many indie authors start there and upgrade later.
What are the technical requirements?
ACX and most retailers require each file to measure between -23 and -18 dB RMS, peak no higher than -3 dB, have a noise floor below -60 dB, and carry a few seconds of room tone at the start and end. Files must be MP3 at 192 kbps or higher, constant bit rate.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours is a 90,000 word audiobook?
About 9.7 finished hours at the standard 9,300 words per finished hour.
How much does it cost to make an audiobook?
Human narration usually runs $150 to $400 per finished hour, so a typical novel costs $1,500 to $4,000. AI narration is dramatically cheaper.
How long does audiobook production take?
A narrator produces roughly one to two finished hours per working day once recording starts, so a 10-hour book takes one to two weeks plus proofing.
What is the minimum audiobook length for ACX?
There is no strict minimum length, but each file must be under 120 minutes and the whole title must have opening and closing credits.
Do audiobooks sell well for indie authors?
Audio is the fastest growing format in publishing, but production cost means it usually makes sense once a title already has steady ebook or print sales.