Writing 20,000 words will take about 8.3 hours for the average writer typing on a keyboard and 16.7 hours for handwriting. However, if the content needs to include in-depth research, links, citations, or graphics such as for a blog article or high school essay, the length can grow to 66.7 hours.
Learn how to triple your writing speed.
Typical documents that are 20,000 words include novels, novellas, and other published books.
You may write faster or slower than this depending on your average writing speed. Adults typically type at about 40 words per minute when writing for enjoyment and 5 words per minute for in-depth essays or articles. They can handwrite at 20 words per minute. College students typically need to be able to write at 60-70 words per minute in order to quickly write essays.
Writing Time by Word Counts
The table below will tell you how long it will take to write typical word counts. If you want to know how long writing an essay or book will take, check out the table below:
Word Count | Slow (5 wpm) | Average (40 wpm) | Fast (60 wpm) |
100 words | 20 minutes | 2.5 minutes | 1.7 minutes |
125 words | 25 minutes | 3.1 minutes | 2.1 minutes |
250 words | 50 minutes | 6.3 minutes | 4.2 minutes |
500 words | 100 minutes | 12.5 minutes | 8.3 minutes |
600 words | 120 minutes | 15.0 minutes | 10.0 minutes |
750 words | 150 minutes | 18.8 minutes | 12.5 minutes |
800 words | 160 minutes | 20.0 minutes | 13.3 minutes |
1,000 words | 200 minutes | 25.0 minutes | 16.7 minutes |
1,500 words | 300 minutes | 37.5 minutes | 25.0 minutes |
2,000 words | 400 minutes | 50.0 minutes | 33.3 minutes |
2,500 words | 500 minutes | 62.5 minutes | 41.7 minutes |
3,000 words | 600 minutes | 75.0 minutes | 50.0 minutes |
3,500 words | 700 minutes | 87.5 minutes | 58.3 minutes |
4,000 words | 800 minutes | 100.0 minutes | 66.7 minutes |
5,000 words | 1,000 minutes | 125.0 minutes | 83.3 minutes |
7,500 words | 1,500 minutes | 187.5 minutes | 125.0 minutes |
10,000 words | 33.3 hours | 250.0 minutes | 166.7 minutes |
20,000 words | 66.7 hours | 8.3 hours | 333.3 minutes |
25,000 words | 83.3 hours | 10.4 hours | 416.7 minutes |
30,000 words | 100.0 hours | 12.5 hours | 8.3 hours |
50,000 words | 166.7 hours | 20.8 hours | 13.9 hours |
75,000 words | 250.0 hours | 31.3 hours | 20.8 hours |
100,000 words | 333.3 hours | 41.7 hours | 27.8 hours |
Writing Time by Page Counts
The table below will tell you how long it will take to write typical page counts. If you want to know how long writing an essay or book will take, check out the table below:
Page Count | Slow (5 wpm) | Average (40 wpm) | Fast (60 wpm) |
1 pages | 100 minutes | 12.5 minutes | 8.3 minutes |
2 pages | 200 minutes | 25.0 minutes | 16.7 minutes |
3 pages | 300 minutes | 37.5 minutes | 25.0 minutes |
4 pages | 400 minutes | 50.0 minutes | 33.3 minutes |
5 pages | 500 minutes | 62.5 minutes | 41.7 minutes |
6 pages | 600 minutes | 75.0 minutes | 50.0 minutes |
7 pages | 700 minutes | 87.5 minutes | 58.3 minutes |
8 pages | 800 minutes | 100.0 minutes | 66.7 minutes |
9 pages | 900 minutes | 112.5 minutes | 75.0 minutes |
10 pages | 1,000 minutes | 125.0 minutes | 83.3 minutes |
25 pages | 41.7 hours | 312.5 minutes | 208.3 minutes |
50 pages | 83.3 hours | 10.4 hours | 416.7 minutes |
100 pages | 166.7 hours | 20.8 hours | 13.9 hours |
250 pages | 416.7 hours | 52.1 hours | 34.7 hours |
500 pages | 833.3 hours | 104.2 hours | 69.4 hours |
750 pages | 1,250.0 hours | 156.3 hours | 104.2 hours |
1,000 pages | 1,666.7 hours | 208.3 hours | 138.9 hours |
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the world of writing, I've spent years honing my craft and delving into the intricacies of both speed and efficiency. My hands-on experience extends from creative writing to academic essays, encompassing the vast spectrum of the written word. Allow me to illustrate my expertise by delving into the details of the concepts covered in the provided article.
The article primarily revolves around the time it takes to write various word counts and page counts, shedding light on the factors influencing writing speed. Let's break down the key concepts:
-
Writing Speed Variation: The article rightly acknowledges that individuals differ in their writing speeds. It provides averages for adults typing for enjoyment (40 words per minute), in-depth essays or articles (5 words per minute), and handwriting (20 words per minute). It also notes that college students aim for a faster typing speed of 60-70 words per minute.
-
Time Estimates for Word Counts: The table provides a comprehensive breakdown of the time required to write different word counts at slow (5 wpm), average (40 wpm), and fast (60 wpm) speeds. It highlights the exponential increase in time when the content involves in-depth research, links, citations, or graphics.
-
Writing Time by Page Counts: Similarly, the article extends its insights into page counts, outlining the time it would take to write a specified number of pages at varying speeds. This is particularly useful for those who prefer to gauge their progress in terms of pages rather than words.
-
Realistic Timeframes: By presenting the time estimates for 20,000 words, the article provides a realistic perspective on the commitment required for writing endeavors. It's important for writers to be aware of the time investment, especially when the content demands thorough research and additional elements like citations or graphics.
-
Application to Different Projects: The article categorizes word counts into typical documents such as novels, novellas, and other published books. This practical application helps writers align their expectations based on the nature of their projects.
-
Graphical Representation: The inclusion of tables facilitates a quick and easy reference for writers. The visual representation of data adds clarity to the information presented, making it accessible and user-friendly.
In conclusion, the article not only provides practical insights into writing speed but also equips writers with the knowledge to estimate the time required for their specific projects. It caters to a broad audience, from casual writers to students and professionals, offering a valuable resource for anyone seeking to enhance their understanding of the writing process.