500 words by font and spacing
Font, point size and line spacing move the page count more than anything else. 1-inch margins, US Letter, no headings or images.
| Font | Single | 1.5 lines | Double |
|---|---|---|---|
| Times New Roman 12pt | 1.0 page | 1.5 pages | 2.0 pages |
| Arial 12pt | 1.1 pages | 1.6 pages | 2.2 pages |
| Calibri 11pt | 0.8 pages | 1.3 pages | 1.7 pages |
| Verdana 12pt | 1.3 pages | 1.9 pages | 2.5 pages |
Estimates for continuous prose; headings, quotes and a reference list add length on top.
How long does 500 words take to read or say?
Silent reading (238 wpm): about 3 min. Read aloud (183 wpm): about 3 min, the number to plan a speech against.
What 500 words looks like in practice
- This is the length most hiring guides treat as a cover letter's ceiling: a full page that still leaves white space at the bottom rather than running into a second page.
- It is close to a 2 to 3 minute speech or toast read at a natural pace, the kind of slot a best man or a conference host gets handed.
- It is also a common length for the opening section of a graduate school statement of purpose, before the body gets into specifics.
- A UC Personal Insight Question answer tops out 150 words shorter than this, at 350; a full Common App personal essay can run 150 words longer, up to 650.
Writing to 500 words in a different font, size or margin? The words to pages calculator runs this same math for any setting. Check your real count first with the word counter.
FAQ
How many pages is 500 words single spaced?
About 1 page in Times New Roman 12pt with 1-inch margins, or 1.1 pages in Arial 12pt. The exact figure moves with your font, size, spacing and margins: use the calculator above for your own document.
How many pages is 500 words double spaced?
About 2 pages in Times New Roman 12pt with 1-inch margins, or 2.2 pages in Arial 12pt. Double spacing is the default most US and Canadian schools ask for; single spacing is the norm for cover letters and business writing.
How long does it take to read or say 500 words?
About 3 min of silent reading at 238 words per minute, the adult average for English non-fiction, or 3 min read aloud at 183 words per minute. Both are averages: time yourself once against the clock if the length is being delivered live.