If you’re wondering how many FNAF books are there, the short answer is that the number depends on what you count as part of the Five Nights at Freddy’s book line. The franchise includes a main set of novels, a series of short-story anthologies, and related guide or activity books, so the total changes as new releases appear.
Below is a clear reading guide that breaks down the major FNAF book categories and helps you understand what to read first.
How many FNAF books are there?
There are multiple FNAF book series and companion books, not just one single set. If you count the core fiction lines most readers mean, the library includes the original novel trilogy, the Fazbear Frights anthologies, and the Tales from the Pizzaplex stories, plus additional tie-in books and guides. The exact total can vary by edition and how broadly you define “books.”
What counts as a FNAF book?
Because Five Nights at Freddy’s began as a video game series, its books are best understood as expanded universe fiction and companion material. Some books are direct story collections, while others offer game lore, activity content, or reference-style material.
The main fiction categories
- The original novel trilogy by Scott Cawthon and Kira Breed-Wrisley
- Fazbear Frights, a short-story anthology series
- Tales from the Pizzaplex, another anthology set in the broader FNAF world
- Companion and guide books, which may include lore summaries, puzzles, or reference material
The core FNAF book series at a glance
1. The original FNAF novel trilogy
The first major FNAF books are the three novels often treated as the foundational fiction line. They are The Silver Eyes, The Twisted Ones, and The Fourth Closet. These books follow a novel-length story arc and are the easiest place to start if you want a traditional narrative rather than short stories.
2. Fazbear Frights
Fazbear Frights is a collection of horror anthologies made up of shorter, self-contained stories. These books are designed for readers who enjoy fast-paced, eerie episodes and recurring FNAF motifs such as haunted technology, animatronics, and unsettling consequences.
Because this line is anthology-based, it can feel more experimental than the novels. That makes it useful for readers who want bite-sized horror and varied tones.
3. Tales from the Pizzaplex
Tales from the Pizzaplex continues the anthology approach with stories tied to the broader modern FNAF setting. Like Fazbear Frights, it is best read as a series of linked horror tales rather than a single continuous novel.
For many readers, this line expands the world-building and adds another layer to the franchise’s lore-heavy appeal.
4. Companion books and special tie-ins
Depending on how you count, there are also guide-style or activity books connected to the franchise. These are not always part of the main narrative canon, but they still count as FNAF books in a broad sense.
If your goal is a reading list rather than a strict canon list, it helps to separate story books from reference or activity books.
Quick answer: how many FNAF books are there in total?
If you mean the major fiction lines, there are well over a dozen FNAF books across the trilogy and anthology series, with additional companion titles beyond that. Since new releases can change the count and some editions bundle or repackage material, the safest answer is that FNAF has a large and growing book collection rather than one fixed number.
What is the best reading order for FNAF books?
The best reading order depends on whether you want the story in publication order, lore order, or the most beginner-friendly path. For most readers, publication order is the simplest and least confusing approach.
Recommended beginner reading order
- The Silver Eyes
- The Twisted Ones
- The Fourth Closet
- Fazbear Frights stories
- Tales from the Pizzaplex stories
This order works well because it starts with the most straightforward long-form narrative before moving into the more fragmented anthology structure.
If you care most about lore
Some fans prefer to jump between books and games to trace recurring names, locations, and themes. That can be rewarding, but it also makes the reading experience more complex. If you are new to the franchise, it is usually better to read the books first as stories, then explore lore connections afterward.
Why the FNAF books are popular
The FNAF books appeal to readers for reasons that go beyond game fandom. They combine horror atmosphere, mystery, and a layered sense of hidden history, which makes them especially attractive to readers who like piecing together clues.
Common themes in the FNAF books
- Fear of the familiar — ordinary spaces become threatening
- Memory and trauma — characters often carry unresolved past events
- Technology gone wrong — machines feel uncanny or hostile
- Identity and doubles — hidden selves, masks, and replacements recur
- Consequences of obsession — curiosity and control often lead to danger
These themes help explain why the books work even for readers who have never played the games. At their best, they are not just tie-ins; they are suspenseful horror stories with a strong sense of unease.
How the books differ from the games
Although the books share characters, settings, and motifs with the games, they do not always function as simple retellings. Some books expand the universe, while others explore alternate versions of familiar ideas.
That means readers should be careful not to assume every book detail maps directly onto game canon. In FNAF, the relationship between books and games is often interpretive rather than literal.
What that means for readers
- Do not expect every book to answer every game mystery.
- Expect recurring imagery, names, and themes rather than perfect continuity.
- Read the books as stories first, lore sources second.
Which FNAF books should you start with?
Your best starting point depends on what kind of reader you are.
If you want a full story
Start with the original trilogy. It offers the most traditional novel experience and gives you a solid foundation in the franchise’s tone and mythology.
If you want short, creepy stories
Start with Fazbear Frights. The anthology format is ideal if you prefer quick reads and self-contained scares.
If you want the newest lore-heavy material
Try Tales from the Pizzaplex. It is especially appealing if you enjoy the franchise’s modern setting and broader world-building.
Are all FNAF books canon?
This is one of the most common questions, and the honest answer is that canon status can be complicated. Some books are clearly part of the franchise’s narrative ecosystem, but fans and readers do not always agree on how directly each title connects to the games.
Rather than treating every book as a strict rulebook for the games, it is better to think of the FNAF books as a network of stories that may share ideas, symbols, and lore threads without always lining up perfectly.
Why the exact number keeps changing
The count of FNAF books changes because the franchise continues to expand. New anthologies, special editions, and companion titles can appear over time, and some readers count only fiction while others count every branded book.
So if you are asking for a single permanent number, there isn’t one. The most accurate answer is that FNAF has several major book series and multiple additional tie-ins, making the total a moving target.
Bottom line
If you’re asking how many FNAF books there are, the best quick answer is: more than a dozen in the main fiction lines, plus extra companion books. The exact total depends on what you include, but the franchise clearly has a substantial and still-growing library.
For more reading-related guides, you may also like how many books are there in the world and how many books do I need to have a library.