How Many Words Are on a Page?
As a rule of thumb, one page holds about 500 words single-spaced or 250 words double-spaced in a standard 12-point font with 1-inch margins. The exact number depends on font, size, spacing, and margins — the chart below covers the common cases.
| Word count | Pages (single-spaced) | Pages (double-spaced) |
|---|---|---|
| 250 | 0.5 | 1 |
| 500 | 1 | 2 |
| 750 | 1.5 | 3 |
| 1,000 | 2 | 4 |
| 1,500 | 3 | 6 |
| 2,000 | 4 | 8 |
| 2,500 | 5 | 10 |
| 3,000 | 6 | 12 |
| 5,000 | 10 | 20 |
What changes the words per page
Font family and size move the count the most: 12-point Times New Roman fits more than 12-point Arial. Line spacing halves it (double spacing ≈ half the words of single spacing), and wider margins or added paragraph spacing reduce it further.
Reading and speaking time
People read silently at about 200–250 words per minute and speak at about 130–150 words per minute. So a 500-word single-spaced page takes roughly two minutes to read and about three to four minutes to say aloud — useful for speeches and presentations.
Common assignment lengths
A 500-word essay is about one single-spaced page (two double-spaced). A 1,000-word article is two single-spaced pages, and a 2,000-word piece is around four. Count your actual draft rather than guessing — spacing and headings shift the total.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many words is a 5-minute speech?
At an average speaking pace of about 130 words per minute, a 5-minute speech is roughly 650 words.
How many pages is 1,000 words?
About 2 pages single-spaced or 4 pages double-spaced at 12-point font.
How long does it take to read 500 words?
Roughly two minutes at a typical silent reading speed of 200–250 words per minute.