So you’re wondering how long would it take to read the bible—maybe you’ve got a New Year’s resolution brewing, or you’re just curious about tackling one of history’s most influential texts. The honest answer? It depends on your reading speed, which version you pick, and how much time you can carve out each day. But here’s the good news: it’s totally doable, and we’re going to break down exactly what you’re looking at.
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Reading Time Breakdown
Let’s start with the raw numbers. The Bible contains approximately 773,000 words across 66 books (in the Protestant canon). If you’re an average reader—cruising along at about 200-250 words per minute—you’re looking at roughly 3,000 to 3,900 minutes of pure reading time. That translates to about 50 to 65 hours of solid, uninterrupted reading.
But here’s where it gets interesting: that’s if you’re reading straight through without stopping for comprehension, reflection, or taking notes. Most people aren’t speed-reading the Bible like they’re racing through a grocery list. You’ll likely want to pause, reread passages, and let things sink in. That could easily push your timeline to 70-100 hours depending on your approach.
Which Version Matters Most
Not all Bible versions are created equal when it comes to reading time. The King James Version (KJV) is wordier and uses archaic language, so it’ll take longer to process. The New King James Version (NKJV) is slightly faster. The Message is more conversational and reads quicker. The ESV and NIV sit somewhere in the middle.
A word-heavy version like the KJV might add 10-15% more time to your reading schedule compared to a streamlined translation. If you’re serious about finishing, pick a version that actually resonates with you—you won’t stick with something that feels like reading a foreign language.
Daily Reading Schedule Options
Here’s where the rubber meets the road. Let’s say you’ve got 70 hours to work with. How you distribute that time makes all the difference:
The One-Hour Daily Plan: Reading just one hour per day gets you through the Bible in about 10 weeks. That’s roughly 2.5 months of consistent effort. Totally manageable if you can carve out that time before bed or during your morning coffee.
The 30-Minute Daily Plan: This stretches your timeline to about 20 weeks—roughly five months. This is probably the sweet spot for most people because it’s sustainable. You’re not burning yourself out, and you can actually retain what you’re reading.
The Weekend Warrior Plan: If you’ve got longer stretches on weekends, you could do 2-3 hours on Saturday and Sunday, then maybe 30 minutes on weekdays. This gets you through in about 3-4 months.
The Intensive Week Plan: Some people do a full Bible read-through in 7 days by dedicating 10 hours per day. It’s intense, but it’s possible if you’re on vacation or taking a personal retreat.
Speed Reading Strategies
If you want to move faster without sacrificing understanding, there are legitimate techniques that work:
Chunking: Instead of reading word-by-word, let your eyes move in chunks across the page. This naturally speeds up your pace without forcing you to skim.
Minimize Subvocalization: That little voice in your head reading every word? You can train yourself to reduce it, which increases speed. It takes practice, but it works.
Know Your Purpose: If you’re reading for the story arc, you can move faster than if you’re studying for theological depth. Being clear about why you’re reading helps you calibrate your speed.
Use a Pointer or Finger: Sounds old-school, but physically guiding your eyes down the page actually increases reading speed and comprehension.
These strategies could realistically cut 15-20% off your total reading time if you’re disciplined about them.
Audio Bible Approach
Here’s a game-changer: listening instead of reading. The average audiobook narration speed is about 150-160 words per minute, which means the full Bible audiobook runs about 80-90 hours depending on the version and narrator.
But here’s the advantage—you can listen while doing other stuff. Commuting, exercising, doing chores, yard work—suddenly you’re making progress without sitting down with a book. Some people finish the Bible in 3-4 months just by listening during their daily commute.
Quality matters here. The King James Version audiobook narrated by Alexander Scourby is legendary for a reason. For modern translations, check out YouVersion, which offers free audio Bible in multiple translations and languages.
Realistic Timeframes
Let’s be honest about what actually works for real people:
Three Months: This is aggressive but achievable. You’re looking at 45-60 minutes daily, staying consistent. This works if reading the Bible is your main hobby or spiritual practice right now.
Six Months: This is the Goldilocks zone for most people. You’re doing 20-30 minutes daily, which fits into a normal routine. You’ve got time to actually absorb what you’re reading.
One Year: Reading about 15-20 minutes daily gets you through in a year. This is sustainable long-term and doesn’t feel like a burden. You’re building it into your life naturally.
Two Years: Some people prefer a slower, deeper approach. This timeline lets you really dig into passages, look up cross-references, and actually study rather than just read through.
Study vs. Casual Reading
There’s a massive difference between reading the Bible and studying it. Casual reading—just moving through the text—is what we’ve been discussing. But if you want to study it properly, with commentary, cross-references, and theological depth, you’re adding significant time.
A study Bible with notes might add 30-50% more time because you’re actually engaging with the material. You’re not just reading about David; you’re understanding the historical context, the theological significance, and how it connects to other passages.
For a serious study approach, budget 100-150 hours instead of 70. It’s worth it if you’re genuinely interested in deep understanding rather than just finishing.
Staying Motivated Long-Term
Here’s the real challenge: actually sticking with it. Reading the Bible straight through can feel monotonous in places. Leviticus and Numbers have a lot of genealogies and laws that don’t exactly grip you.
Mix Up Your Approach: Don’t always read in order. Some days read the Gospels, some days read Psalms. This keeps things fresh and prevents burnout.
Find a Reading Plan: Structured plans like the M’Cheyne Reading Plan or the One Year Bible break things into manageable chunks and mix Old and New Testament daily. This prevents you from getting stuck in the genealogy weeds.
Join a Community: Reading with others—a church group, online forum, or study group—keeps you accountable and gives you perspective. You’ll get insights you’d miss reading alone.
Track Your Progress: Apps like YouVersion or Bible Gateway show you exactly how much you’ve completed. Seeing that progress bar fill up is surprisingly motivating.
Set Realistic Expectations: You don’t need to understand everything on the first read. The Bible is dense. Give yourself permission to read some parts quickly and come back to others later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you really read the entire Bible in one week?
Yes, but it’s intense. You’d need to dedicate 10+ hours daily, and you’d be reading for comprehension, not deep study. It’s possible during a personal retreat or vacation, but it’s not sustainable for most people and you’ll likely retain less.
What’s the fastest way to get through the Bible?
Audiobook listening while multitasking is probably fastest—you can knock out 80+ hours without dedicated reading time. If you want to actually read it, focus on a modern translation, use speed-reading techniques, and commit to 1-2 hours daily.
Does reading speed matter for Bible comprehension?
To a point. Reading too fast means you’ll miss nuance and meaning. But reading too slowly can actually reduce comprehension through boredom and mind-wandering. Aim for 250-300 words per minute for good balance between speed and understanding.
Which Bible version is fastest to read?
The Message and the NCV (New Century Version) are conversational and move quickly. The KJV is the slowest due to archaic language. NIV and ESV are middle-ground—accessible but not overly simplified.
Is it better to read straight through or use a reading plan?
A structured reading plan is usually better. Straight-through reading can bog you down in genealogies and laws. Plans mix Old and New Testament daily, keeping things varied and preventing burnout.
How long does it take to read just the New Testament?
About 15-20 hours of reading time, or 25-40 hours if you’re studying with notes. That’s roughly 3-8 weeks depending on your daily commitment.
Can you listen to the Bible on audiobook faster than reading?
Not faster per se, but you can multitask while listening. An 80-90 hour audiobook becomes free time if you’re listening during commutes or exercise. You’re not saving time, but you’re using it more efficiently.
