Bob Dylan, regarded as the voice of a generation for his influential songs from the 1960s onwards, has won the Nobel Prize for Literature.

It was a surprise decision that makes him the only singer-songwriter to win the award.

Dylan is regarded as the voice of a generation for his influential songs from the 1960s onwards, and his work captured a spirit of rebellion, dissent and independence.

The 75-year-old - who won the prize for "having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition" - now finds himself in the company of Winston Churchill, Thomas Mann and Rudyard Kipling as Nobel laureates.

Awarding the $US904,000 prize, the Swedish Academy said Dylan had the status of an icon and his influence on contemporary music was profound.