How long 500 pages takes at different speeds
| Reader | Speed | Total time | Days at 30 min a day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slower reader | 175 wpm | 11 h 54 min | 24 |
| Average, non-fiction | 238 wpm | 8 h 45 min | 18 |
| Average, fiction | 260 wpm | 8 h 1 min | 17 |
| Faster reader | 300 wpm | 6 h 57 min | 14 |
Assumes 250 words a page. Speeds are the adult averages and the typical non-fiction range from Marc Brysbaert (2019).
What changes the answer
Speed and page density move it most. A dense non-fiction page can hold far more words than a page of dialogue, so treat 250 words a page as a starting point, not a fact: count one full page of your book for a precise number. If you're not sure of your speed, the reading speed test takes about two minutes.
Other page counts
- How long does it take to read 100 pages?
- How long does it take to read 200 pages?
- How long does it take to read 300 pages?
- Any page count: the reading time calculator
The estimate assumes the average reading speed for adults. Your own pace will differ: take the reading speed test to find it.
Frequently asked
How long does it take to read 500 pages?
About 8 h 45 min for 500 pages at the average adult reading speed of 238 words per minute, assuming 250 words a page. A faster reader at 300 wpm needs about 6 h 57 min; a slower one at 175 wpm about 11 h 54 min.
How many days does it take to read 500 pages at 30 minutes a day?
About 18 days at 238 words per minute and 250 words a page. Raise the daily minutes and it drops in proportion.
How many words are on a page?
It varies a lot with font size, page size and layout, so there's no single right number. This calculator assumes 250 words a page. For a precise answer, count the words on one full page of your book and enter that instead.
What reading speed should I use?
238 words per minute is the adult average for non-fiction and 260 for fiction (Marc Brysbaert, 2019). Most adults read non-fiction at 175–300 wpm. Take the reading speed test to use your own number.
How long does it take to read a 300-page book?
About 5 h 15 min at 238 words per minute and 250 words a page, or 11 days at 30 minutes a day.