BookBingeThe Dark Tower Books in Order
The short answer
Stephen King · 8 books
- How many books?
- There are 8 books in The Dark Tower series, published 1982–2012.
- Is it finished?
- Yes — the series is complete; it ends with The Wind Through the Keyhole (2012).
- Where to start
- Start with The Gunslinger (1982).
About 4,300 pages — roughly 70 hours of reading
King's magnum opus — a gunslinger's quest across worlds to reach the Dark Tower that holds all reality together.
Here is the complete The Dark Tower reading order — all 8 books by Stephen King, in the order you should read them:
Reading order
- The GunslingerRoland Deschain, last of his line, pursues the man in black across the desert.1982256 pages
- The Drawing of the ThreeRoland pulls three companions from 20th-century New York to join his quest.1987455 pages
- The Waste LandsA cybernetic bear, a sentient train, and the city of Lud.1991
- Wizard and GlassRoland tells the story of his first love, his first great loss.1997718 pages
- Wolves of the CallaRoland and his ka-tet defend a town from monstrous child-stealers.2003714 pages
- Song of SusannahSusannah is taken; the ka-tet crosses worlds to save her.2004463 pages
- The Dark TowerThe final push to the Tower, and the truth at its top.2004818 pages
- The Wind Through the KeyholeA tale within a tale — Roland's past, between books 4 and 5.2012352 pages
Good news: for this series, reading order and publication order are the same — just read straight down the list.
On our lists: Completed fantasy series · Completed sci-fi book series
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Get BookBingeFrequently asked questions
How many Dark Tower books are there?
There are 8 books in The Dark Tower series by Stephen King, from The Gunslinger (1982) to The Wind Through the Keyhole (2012). Together they run to about 4,300 pages.
Is The Dark Tower series finished?
Yes. Stephen King completed the series with The Wind Through the Keyhole in 2012; all 8 books are out now.
What is the first Dark Tower book?
The Gunslinger (1982) is book one, at 256 pages. Roland Deschain, last of his line, pursues the man in black across the desert.
Should I read The Dark Tower series in publication order?
Yes. For The Dark Tower series, reading order and publication order are the same — The Gunslinger (1982) through The Wind Through the Keyhole (2012).
How long does it take to read all Dark Tower books?
About 4,300 pages across 8 books — roughly 70 hours at a page a minute. The longest is The Dark Tower (818 pages); the shortest is The Gunslinger (256 pages).