It would take most people about 70–80 hours of actual reading time to read the whole Bible once, though in practice many spread that out over several months to a year or more.

Key time estimates

  • Audio versions of the entire Bible, read aloud at a normal pace, run for about 74–80 hours total, which is a good proxy for “continuous reading” time.
  • Adult silent reading averages roughly 200–250 words per minute for normal non‑fiction, so many readers will be in a similar 70–90 hour range for the Bible.
  • Because biblical language can feel dense or unfamiliar, many people effectively read closer to “study speed” (100–200 words per minute), which pushes some readers toward the higher end of that range.

What that looks like per day

Here’s how that 70–80 hour block breaks down into realistic daily habits:

  • 10–15 minutes per day: about 1 year to finish (very common one‑year Bible plans).
  • 20–30 minutes per day: roughly 6–9 months for many readers.
  • 45–60 minutes per day: about 3–4 months for a complete read‑through.

Why your time might differ

Several factors can stretch or shorten “how long it would take to read the Bible” for you personally:

  • Reading purpose
    • Fast devotional skim vs slow, reflective, note‑taking study.
  • Translation and difficulty
    • More modern translations usually read faster than older, more archaic ones.
  • Experience and focus
    • Familiarity with biblical names, places, and themes can noticeably increase effective reading speed over time.

Common real‑life patterns (forum style)

People who share their experiences online often report:

  • About a year using a “read the Bible in a year” or chronological plan with short daily readings.
  • A few months if they deliberately push harder with daily sessions of 45–60+ minutes.
  • Multiple years if they mix reading with in‑depth study, pausing often, cross‑referencing, and journaling.

“Technically you could read it in a few long days, but most of us take months or a year so we can actually absorb it, not just speed‑run it.”

Quick practical takeaway

If you’re wondering “how long would it take to read the Bible” in a realistic, sustainable way, a helpful rule of thumb is:

  • Plan on about 75 hours total,
  • Then decide how many minutes per day you can comfortably give,
  • And expect the journey to last anywhere from a few months to around a year, depending on that daily commitment.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.