Free Story Beat Calculator
Find exactly where your key plot points should fall based on your target word count. Nail your story structure.
Three-Act Structure
Act 1 (Setup)
20,000
words (25%)
Act 2 (Confrontation)
40,000
words (50%)
Act 3 (Resolution)
20,000
words (25%)
| Beat | % | Word | Page |
|---|---|---|---|
Opening Hook Grab the reader's attention immediately | 0% | 0 | ~0 |
Setup/Ordinary World Introduce protagonist and their world | 1% | 800 | ~3 |
Inciting Incident The event that disrupts the status quo | 10% | 8,000 | ~32 |
First Plot Point Protagonist commits to the journey (end of Act 1) | 25% | 20,000 | ~80 |
First Pinch Point Reminder of antagonist's threat | 37% | 29,600 | ~118 |
Midpoint Major revelation or shift from reactive to proactive | 50% | 40,000 | ~160 |
Second Pinch Point Stakes increase, pressure intensifies | 62% | 49,600 | ~198 |
All Is Lost Protagonist's lowest moment (end of Act 2) | 75% | 60,000 | ~240 |
Dark Night of the Soul Protagonist processes their defeat | 80% | 64,000 | ~256 |
Third Plot Point New information leads to final push | 85% | 68,000 | ~272 |
Climax Final confrontation with antagonist | 90% | 72,000 | ~288 |
Resolution New normal established | 95% | 76,000 | ~304 |
Story Structure Tips
These Are Guidelines
Story beats are flexible. Some of the best novels break these "rules." Use this as a starting point, not a rigid formula. Your story's needs come first.
Key Moments
- • 25%: Point of no return
- • 50%: Everything changes
- • 75%: All hope seems lost
- • 90%: Final battle