How Long Does It Take to Read the Bible? Complete Time Guide
How Long Does It Take to Read the Bible? Complete Time Guide
Reading the entire Bible takes approximately 70-90 hours at average adult reading speed (200 words per minute). That’s about 12-15 minutes per day if you spread it over a year. The New Testament alone takes about 18 hours, while the Old Testament takes roughly 52 hours.
When I first decided to read through the entire Bible, I had no idea what I was getting into.
I started Genesis on January 1st thinking I’d cruise through it. By March, I was stuck in Leviticus wondering if I’d made a terrible mistake.
The problem wasn’t commitment. It was that I had no realistic sense of what I was trying to accomplish.
If you want to actually finish reading the Bible, you need to know exactly what you’re dealing with: how long each book takes, which sections will slow you down, and what pace is sustainable for your life.
Total Bible Reading Time by Speed
Your personal reading time depends on how fast you read. Here’s what to expect:
| Reading Speed | Description | Total Time | Per Day (1 Year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150 wpm | Slow, meditative | 97 hours | 16 min |
| 200 wpm | Average adult | 73 hours | 12 min |
| 250 wpm | Practiced reader | 58 hours | 10 min |
| 300 wpm | Speed reader | 49 hours | 8 min |
Most adults read at 200-250 words per minute. If you’re reading the Bible for deep study rather than speed, you’re probably closer to 150 wpm.
Reading Time by Book (Complete List)
Here’s how long each book of the Bible takes at average reading speed (200 wpm):
Old Testament (52 hours total)
| Book | Chapters | Reading Time |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis | 50 | 3 hr 11 min |
| Exodus | 40 | 2 hr 43 min |
| Leviticus | 27 | 2 hr 3 min |
| Numbers | 36 | 2 hr 45 min |
| Deuteronomy | 34 | 2 hr 22 min |
| Joshua | 24 | 1 hr 34 min |
| Judges | 21 | 1 hr 35 min |
| Ruth | 4 | 13 min |
| 1 Samuel | 31 | 2 hr 5 min |
| 2 Samuel | 24 | 1 hr 43 min |
| 1 Kings | 22 | 2 hr 3 min |
| 2 Kings | 25 | 1 hr 58 min |
| 1 Chronicles | 29 | 1 hr 42 min |
| 2 Chronicles | 36 | 2 hr 10 min |
| Ezra | 10 | 37 min |
| Nehemiah | 13 | 52 min |
| Esther | 10 | 28 min |
| Job | 42 | 1 hr 30 min |
| Psalms | 150 | 3 hr 34 min |
| Proverbs | 31 | 1 hr 15 min |
| Ecclesiastes | 12 | 28 min |
| Song of Solomon | 8 | 13 min |
| Isaiah | 66 | 3 hr 5 min |
| Jeremiah | 52 | 3 hr 33 min |
| Lamentations | 5 | 17 min |
| Ezekiel | 48 | 3 hr 17 min |
| Daniel | 12 | 58 min |
| Hosea | 14 | 26 min |
| Joel | 3 | 10 min |
| Amos | 9 | 21 min |
| Obadiah | 1 | 3 min |
| Jonah | 4 | 7 min |
| Micah | 7 | 16 min |
| Nahum | 3 | 6 min |
| Habakkuk | 3 | 7 min |
| Zephaniah | 3 | 8 min |
| Haggai | 2 | 6 min |
| Zechariah | 14 | 32 min |
| Malachi | 4 | 9 min |
New Testament (18 hours total)
| Book | Chapters | Reading Time |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew | 28 | 1 hr 58 min |
| Mark | 16 | 1 hr 16 min |
| Luke | 24 | 2 hr 10 min |
| John | 21 | 1 hr 35 min |
| Acts | 28 | 2 hr 1 min |
| Romans | 16 | 47 min |
| 1 Corinthians | 16 | 47 min |
| 2 Corinthians | 13 | 30 min |
| Galatians | 6 | 15 min |
| Ephesians | 6 | 15 min |
| Philippians | 4 | 10 min |
| Colossians | 4 | 10 min |
| 1 Thessalonians | 5 | 9 min |
| 2 Thessalonians | 3 | 5 min |
| 1 Timothy | 6 | 11 min |
| 2 Timothy | 4 | 9 min |
| Titus | 3 | 5 min |
| Philemon | 1 | 2 min |
| Hebrews | 13 | 35 min |
| James | 5 | 12 min |
| 1 Peter | 5 | 12 min |
| 2 Peter | 3 | 8 min |
| 1 John | 5 | 13 min |
| 2 John | 1 | 2 min |
| 3 John | 1 | 1 min |
| Jude | 1 | 3 min |
| Revelation | 22 | 60 min |
The Five Longest Books
If you’re wondering where you’ll spend most of your time:
- Psalms (3 hr 34 min) - 150 chapters of poetry
- Jeremiah (3 hr 33 min) - Major prophet, lots of oracles
- Ezekiel (3 hr 17 min) - Visions and prophecies
- Genesis (3 hr 11 min) - Creation through Joseph
- Isaiah (3 hr 5 min) - Major prophet, 66 chapters
These five books alone account for about 23% of your total reading time.
Quick Reads (Under 10 Minutes)
Need a win? These books take less than 10 minutes each:
- Obadiah (3 min) - Shortest OT book
- 3 John (1 min) - Shortest NT book
- 2 John (2 min)
- Philemon (2 min)
- Jude (3 min)
- 2 Thessalonians (5 min)
- Titus (5 min)
- Haggai (6 min)
- Nahum (6 min)
- Jonah (7 min)
- Habakkuk (7 min)
You could read all 11 of these books in about 45 minutes.
Choosing a Reading Plan
Different plans work for different schedules. Here’s what each requires:
| Plan | Duration | Min/Day | Chapters/Day | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leisurely | 1 year | 12 | 3-4 | First-timers, busy schedules |
| Moderate | 6 months | 24 | 6-7 | Regular readers, study groups |
| Intensive | 90 days | 49 | 12-13 | Summer challenge, focused study |
| Marathon | 30 days | 146 | 39 | Audiobook listeners, overview |
1-Year Plan (Recommended for Most People)
At 12 minutes per day, a 1-year plan is the most sustainable option. You’ll read about 3-4 chapters daily, which is short enough to be achievable but long enough to make progress.
This pace works because:
- It’s easy to build into a morning routine
- Missing a day doesn’t derail you
- You have time to actually think about what you’re reading
90-Day Plan
A 90-day plan requires about 50 minutes of reading per day (13 chapters). This is intense but achievable if you:
- Have a summer break or sabbatical
- Want to get the big picture before deeper study
- Are highly motivated and have the time
The trade-off is less time for reflection. You’ll get through it, but you won’t remember as much detail.
Audiobook Option
If reading for 12+ minutes daily isn’t realistic, consider audio. The Bible takes about 70 hours to listen to at normal speed (1x). At 1.5x speed, that’s under 50 hours.
Listening during commutes, workouts, or chores makes it much easier to hit daily goals.
Starting Points That Work
Don’t feel obligated to start at Genesis 1:1. Many people find it helpful to start with:
For New Believers:
- The Gospel of John (1 hr 35 min) - Clear introduction to Jesus
- Romans (47 min) - Core Christian theology
For Overview:
- Genesis + Exodus + Matthew - Creation, Covenant, Christ
- Luke + Acts - Jesus’ life and the early church (4 hours total)
For Quick Wins:
- Philippians (10 min) - Joy in hardship
- James (12 min) - Practical wisdom
- Jonah (7 min) - Compelling narrative
Why Reading Speed Matters
Your reading speed affects more than just time. Slower readers often have better comprehension because they’re processing more carefully.
If you find yourself zoning out at 200 wpm, slow down. A 15-minute reading session where you actually remember what you read is worth more than a 10-minute session you forget by lunchtime.
For deep study, many people deliberately read at 100-150 wpm, pausing to reflect on difficult passages.
Practical Tips for Finishing
Based on what actually works:
-
Same time, same place. Attach Bible reading to an existing habit (morning coffee, lunch break, before bed).
-
Track your progress. A simple checkbox or reading plan app creates accountability.
-
Give yourself grace for missed days. Life happens. Just pick up where you left off.
-
Mix in audio. On busy days, listening counts.
-
Start with what interests you. Motivation matters more than order.
FAQ
How long does it take to read the entire Bible?
At average reading speed (200 wpm), reading the entire Bible takes approximately 73 hours. That breaks down to about 12 minutes per day over a year, or 24 minutes per day over 6 months.
What’s the shortest book in the Bible?
3 John is the shortest book in the New Testament at about 1 minute of reading time. Obadiah is the shortest in the Old Testament at about 3 minutes.
Can I read the Bible in 30 days?
Technically yes, but it requires about 2.5 hours of reading per day (nearly 40 chapters). This is more realistic with audiobooks at 1.5x speed. For actual reading, 90 days is a more achievable intensive plan.
Should I read the Bible cover to cover?
Not necessarily. Many effective readers start with the Gospels or specific books that interest them. Reading cover to cover is one valid approach, but understanding comes from engagement, not sequence.
How many chapters should I read per day?
For a 1-year plan: 3-4 chapters. For 6 months: 6-7 chapters. For 90 days: 12-13 chapters. Choose a pace you can sustain consistently.
Calculate Your Personal Reading Time
Everyone reads at different speeds. Use our free Bible Reading Time Calculator to get exact times based on your personal reading pace. You’ll see a breakdown by book and suggested plans customized to your speed.