Set your own finish line
The traditional target is 50,000 words by November 30. Enter a smaller goal if you are drafting a novella or only have weekends to write.
A NaNoWriMo word count tracker spreadsheet for late starts and missed days
Enter a word goal, mark your writing days and see what you need to write next. Includes a printable November 2026 calendar and a catch-up example.
Download XLSX and printable calendarStart it in Loomworld instead
Free download. No account required.
What does a missed day cost?
Keep a dated writing log
A blank calendar assumes you can write every day. A weekend shift or an unexpected break changes what a realistic evening looks like.
Inside the worksheet
Count the days you can actually use
Starting November 2 leaves 29 calendar days. From zero, 1,725 words per day covers the target. Mark four days off and the pace rises to 2,000 words per writing day.
Plan around a difficult week
Read the reverse column to front-load the remaining work; the even column shows a steady alternative beside it. If words remain and no available dates are left, restore a writing day or revise the goal.
Try one session
Set your own finish line
Mark unavailable dates in column B.
Count the days you can actually use
Record each completed session in column C.
Plan around a difficult week
Read the target on the next available date.
Choose an approach
What does a missed day cost?
| Capability | Even pace | Reverse pace |
|---|---|---|
| When it fits | Use the same remaining target on every available day. | Start with longer sessions and taper toward the deadline. |
| Start date | All remaining available days share the load | Earlier available days take a larger share |
| After a break | Recalculate against the days still marked available | Recalculate the declining schedule from the new balance |
Frequently asked questions
When should I enter zero?
Enter zero after a scheduled day when you wrote nothing. Leave a future day blank so it still counts toward your remaining writing time.
KEEP READING
Keep a dated writing log
Record only new words for each date. Enter actual words after a session and review the next available day.