Pages to words
| Pages | Single-spaced | Double-spaced |
|---|---|---|
| 1 page | about 500 words | about 250 words |
| 2 pages | about 1,000 words | about 500 words |
| 3 pages | about 1,500 words | about 750 words |
| 5 pages | about 2,500 words | about 1,250 words |
| 10 pages | about 5,000 words | about 2,500 words |
| 20 pages | about 10,000 words | about 5,000 words |
Words to pages
| Words | Single-spaced | Double-spaced |
|---|---|---|
| 250 words | ½ page | 1 page |
| 500 words | 1 page | 2 pages |
| 750 words | 1½ pages | 3 pages |
| 1,000 words | 2 pages | 4 pages |
| 1,500 words | 3 pages | 6 pages |
| 2,000 words | 4 pages | 8 pages |
| 3,000 words | 6 pages | 12 pages |
| 5,000 words | 10 pages | 20 pages |
These are estimates for plain paragraphs. Headings, lists, short dialogue lines and images all reduce the number of words per page.
What changes the number of words per page
- Font: Arial and Verdana are wider than Times New Roman, so fewer words fit. Calibri 11 pt, the old Word default, fits more.
- Font size: 11 pt fits roughly 15–20% more words than 12 pt.
- Line spacing: 1.5 spacing sits between single and double, at roughly 330–350 words per page.
- Margins and paper size: narrow margins or A4 instead of US Letter add a little space.
- Paragraph length: many short paragraphs leave more white space at the end of lines.
Handwritten pages
Handwriting varies hugely, but a full page of lined A4 or Letter paper usually holds somewhere around 200–250 words. If an exam asks for “two pages”, practise once and count a page of your own handwriting.
How long is a speech of X words?
Most people speak at roughly 130–150 words per minute in a presentation, a little slower when nervous or when pausing for slides.
| Speech length | Approximate words |
|---|---|
| 1 minute | 130–150 words |
| 3 minutes | 400–450 words |
| 5 minutes | 650–750 words |
| 10 minutes | 1,300–1,500 words |
| 20 minutes | 2,600–3,000 words |
Reading silently is faster: adults typically read around 200–250 words per minute, which is how “reading time” estimates on articles are calculated.
How to count words quickly
- Online: paste your text into the free Tolket Word Counter to see words, characters, sentences, paragraphs, reading time and speaking time at once.
- Microsoft Word: the count appears in the status bar at the bottom; click it, or use Review › Word Count, for details.
- Google Docs: Tools › Word count, or press Ctrl + Shift + C (Command + Shift + C on a Mac).
Hitting a word count without padding
- Too short? Add a concrete example, a counter-argument or a short explanation of why a point matters, rather than repeating yourself.
- Too long? Cut filler words (“very”, “really”, “in order to”), merge sentences that say the same thing and remove the weakest paragraph.
- Check the rules. Ask whether the title, headings, footnotes and references count towards the limit; many schools exclude references.
Frequently asked questions
How many pages is 1,000 words?
About 2 pages single-spaced or 4 pages double-spaced, in a 12 pt font with standard margins.
How many paragraphs is 500 words?
Usually three to five paragraphs. Essays often use paragraphs of 100–150 words.
How many words is a 5-minute speech?
Roughly 650–750 words at a comfortable speaking pace.
Does the title count towards the word count?
It depends on your teacher or publisher. Titles and reference lists are often excluded, but always check the instructions.