The short version
- Typical range: £2 – £10
- Biggest single factor: condition — see the table below
- Category: Books
- Cost to sell on WishThrift: nothing, at any price
What a used paperback novels is worth by condition
Condition does more to the price than anything else. These figures are worked from the top of the range for paperback novelss, so treat them as a starting point and adjust for the specifics of yours.
| Condition | Typical price | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £10 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £8 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £6 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £4 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £2 | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
These are the five grades WishThrift listings use, and sellers set the grade themselves — see what each condition grade means. Figures are shown in pounds as a reference point. On WishThrift prices display in your own currency, and sellers set their own asking price.
What raises the value of a paperback novels
- Bundles grouped by genre or author
- Complete series sold together
- Out-of-print and early printings
- Clean, uncracked spines
What lowers it
- Cracked spines and yellowed pages
- Water damage and musty odour
- Single common titles
- Ex-library copies
How to work out what yours is worth
- Group by genre or author and photograph the bundle
- Check for damp odour before listing
- Identify any out-of-print titles separately
Once you have those three answers you can place your own paperback novels on the table above with reasonable confidence. If it sits between two rows, price it toward the lower one — items priced honestly sell faster than items priced hopefully.
Ready to sell it? Listing on WishThrift is free, there is no commission, and you keep the full amount you agree with the buyer — see how selling works or create a free account.
Frequently asked questions
Are paperbacks worth selling?
In bundles by genre or author. Individually they rarely cover the postage.
Which paperbacks are worth checking?
Early printings of books that later became well known. Check the copyright page before bulking a collection.
Does a cracked spine matter?
In a bundle, little. For a collectable title it matters a great deal.
More value guides: books guides · all value guides · browse live books listings.