Save the Cat Calculator
Generate beat sheet page numbers for your screenplay
Screenplay Length (pages)
Genre
What Is Save the Cat?
“Save the Cat” is a screenplay structure guide by Blake Snyder that became one of Hollywood’s most-used story frameworks. The title refers to a scene early in the script where the hero does something likeable (like saving a cat) so the audience roots for them. Our Save the Cat calculator maps all 15 beats to your specific screenplay length.
How to Use the Save the Cat Structure
- Enter your total screenplay page count above
- Select your genre for context
- The calculator generates exact page targets for all 15 beats
- Use these as anchors when outlining or diagnosing pacing in a draft
Save the Cat for Different Formats
| Format | Typical Length | Midpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Feature film | 90-120 pages | p. 45-60 |
| TV pilot (1hr) | 45-60 pages | p. 22-30 |
| TV pilot (30min) | 22-30 pages | p. 11-15 |
| Novel (applied) | 60,000-100,000 words | 30,000-50,000 words |
FAQs
Is Save the Cat a formula or a guide?
It’s a guide, not a formula. Snyder’s beats are based on observing what works commercially, not a prescription. Many successful films follow the beats loosely or reorder them. Use it to understand structure, not as a rigid template.
What genres work best with Save the Cat?
Save the Cat works across all genres but is most naturally suited to high-concept action, comedy, and drama. Horror and art-house films often subvert the beats intentionally for effect.
Conclusion
Use our Save the Cat calculator every time you start outlining a new screenplay or diagnosing a pacing problem in a draft. For a deeper beat-by-beat breakdown, visit our Save the Cat beat sheet calculator.
Are you a Save the Cat user? Share your experience below!