How Many Pages Is 500 Words?
1 min read
Short answer
Check your own numbers
4
Pages · double spaced
Every spacing
1,000 wordsAlso worth knowing
Estimates assume 12pt Times New Roman or Arial with 1-inch margins on US Letter or A4.
The answer
In 12pt Times New Roman with 1-inch margins:
| Spacing | Pages |
|---|---|
| Single | 1 |
| 1.5 | 1.3 |
| Double | 2 |
Double spaced is the standard for school and university work, so a 500-word essay is usually two pages.
By font
Wider fonts fill more of the page. For 500 words at 12pt, double spaced:
| Font | Pages |
|---|---|
| Times New Roman | 2 |
| Calibri | 2.1 |
| Arial | 2.3 |
| Courier New | 2.8 |
A page count moves with the font; a word count does not. That is why most briefs set a word count.
What 500 words looks like
- Paragraphs: four or five paragraphs of 100 to 125 words each — an introduction, two or three body paragraphs and a conclusion.
- Sentences: about 25 to 35 sentences at a typical 15 to 20 words each.
- Characters: roughly 2,900 including spaces.
How long 500 words takes
| Task | Time |
|---|---|
| Reading silently | About 2 minutes |
| Reading aloud | About 3 minutes 20 seconds |
| Typing, once you know what to say | 10 to 15 minutes |
| Writing a considered essay | 1 to 2 hours |
The typing is the quick part. Most of the time in a 500-word essay goes on deciding what the one argument is, because there is only room for one.
Writing to 500 words
At this length every paragraph has to earn its place. Two points made well beat four made in passing, and an introduction longer than two or three sentences is eating the space the argument needs.
Paste your draft into the essay word counter with the limit set to 500 to see how far over or under you are, including the usual 10% margin of 450 to 550 words.
Frequently asked questions
Is 500 words a lot? For a school essay or a cover letter, it is a full piece. For a university essay it is short; most start at 1,500.
How many pages is 500 words handwritten? About two sides of lined A4 or letter paper, depending on your handwriting.
How many pages is 600 words? 1.2 pages single spaced, 2.4 double spaced. The calculator above works out any word count.