How Many Words per Page? Complete Guide for Students & Writers
A standard double-spaced page contains approximately 250 words, while a single-spaced page has about 500 words. Learn exact counts for different formats and page sizes.
Quick Answer: Words per Page
Standard typed page (12pt Times New Roman, 1-inch margins): Double-spaced = ~250 words per page. Single-spaced = ~500 words per page. These are the most commonly used benchmarks in academic writing.
Words per Page by Format
Double-spaced, 12pt font = 250 words/page. Single-spaced, 12pt font = 500 words/page. 1.5 spacing, 12pt font = 350 words/page. Handwritten (average) = 150–200 words/page. Handwritten (small) = 200–250 words/page.
Pages to Words Conversion Table
1 page = 250 words (double) / 500 words (single). 2 pages = 500/1,000 words. 3 pages = 750/1,500 words. 5 pages = 1,250/2,500 words. 10 pages = 2,500/5,000 words. 20 pages = 5,000/10,000 words.
What Affects Words per Page?
Font size (12pt vs 11pt adds ~50 words/page). Font type (Arial is wider than Times New Roman). Margins (1-inch standard; 0.75-inch adds ~75 words). Line spacing and paragraph spacing also significantly affect count.
For Students: Meeting Page Requirements
When a teacher says 'write a 3-page essay,' they usually mean double-spaced — so aim for about 750 words. Always check formatting requirements first. Use a word counter to verify before printing.
Reading Time by Page Count
1 page ≈ 1 minute reading time (single-spaced). 5 pages ≈ 5–10 minutes. 10 pages ≈ 10–20 minutes. 50 pages ≈ 1–2 hours. These are estimates at average reading speed (200–250 wpm).