Last Updated: January 7, 2023

How Long does it Really Take to Write an Article, based on Word Count?

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    Fact Checked

    100% human content The content of this article was entirely researched, written and reviewed by humans, to ensure accurate and exclusive information. No AI writing tools were used.

    Introduction

    Some people think finding time to write an article – and the required time itself – is the hardest part of the process; however, it’s much more complicated

    The fact is, there are many different phases involved in the writing process. 

    The goal of this article is to break down those phases and explain what each entails so that you can understand how long it will take you to write an article, and also how you can save time by optimizing each step.

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      What are the steps that take the most time when writing an article?

      The steps that take the most time when writing an article are

      1. Researching your topic: This step can take a while, especially if you need to familiarize yourself with the subject. You’ll need to find reliable sources of information and ensure your facts are accurate.
      2. Planning your article: Once you’ve gathered your information, you’ll need to decide how to structure it. This includes figuring out what points you want to make and what order they should go in.
      3. Writing the first draft: This is where you start putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). Getting all of your thoughts down can be time-consuming, but it’s essential to get a first draft done.
      4. Editing and proofreading: After you’ve written your article, it’s essential to go back and edit it. This includes checking for grammar mistakes, ensuring that your points are clear, and ensuring the overall piece flows well. Proofreading is vital to catch any typos or other errors before publishing. 

      These steps can take significant time, but they’re essential to creating a high-quality article.

      How long does it take to write a 500 words article?

      Now, assume you have a well-defined topic; it should take at most an hour or an hour and a half, to bang out a 500-word article. 

      This is based on the fact that the average person types 40 words per minute. So, 500 words would take have about 12.5 minutes to type out (500/40). 

      However, this doesn’t factor in thinking time, research, etc. It will probably take you closer to an hour or up to two to write a complete 500-word article. 

      If you’ve never written an article, it might take a bit longer as you get used to the process. But once you get into a groove, you should be able to churn out 500 words relatively quickly.

      To sum it up: on average, writing a quality article of 500 words around a well-defined topic which does not require extensive research, will take 60 to 90 minutes.

      How long does it take to write a 1000 words article?

      A common goal when it comes to blogs and SEO, is to write 1000 words of content. But how long does it take?

      Assuming you have the general topic of your article in mind, it should take approximately 2 hours to write a 1000 words article. This includes time for research, writing, and editing. 

      Of course, the actual time it takes to write an article will vary depending on the individual. Some people can churn out a 1000 words article in an hour or less, while others may take several hours. 

      If you’re struggling to write an article, remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day! Just start writing and see where the words take you. You can always edit and revise your article later on. 

      The quick answer? It takes, on average, about 2 hours to write a 1000 words article.

      Required time based on word count AND SKILLS

      Of course, writing an article does not only depend on the word count, but also on the individual.

      Different factors come into play, including the experience and skill set of the writer.

      We made a table that estimates the average completion time of an article, depending both on the word count and skill/experience level.

      Quick tips for writing an article faster!

      If you want to write an article quickly, there are a few tips you can follow to make the process go faster. 

      Let’s say you already have a topic in mind, then follow these steps!

      STEP 1# Write a detailed outline. This will help you organize your thoughts and structure your article more efficiently.

      STEP 2# Set a timer for a specific time and start writing. Once the timer goes off, stop writing, even if you’re still working on it. This will help train your brain to focus and get the words out more quickly.

      STEP #3 Take breaks throughout the writing process. This will help refresh your mind and keep you from getting too bogged down in one particular section.

      STEP #4 Don’t worry about perfectionism. Just get the words out and worry about editing later. The more you try to perfect as you go, the slower the process will be. 

      STEP #5 Ask someone else to proofread your article when you’re finished. This will help catch any errors you may have missed and give you another set of eyes to offer feedback.

      Our Verdict

      Image illustrates SM90 verdict of Nightwatch.

      When it comes to writing articles, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to how long it takes. It depends on many factors, including the topic, the article’s length, the level of detail required, and the writer’s experience.

      That said, we can estimate how long it might take to write an article. For a shorter article (around 500 words), it could take anywhere from 45m to 1 hour and a half. For a longer article (around 1,000 words), it could take 2-4 hours. And for a very detailed article (2,000 words or more), and could take 4 hours or more.

      Of course, these are just estimates. The actual time it takes to write an article will vary depending on the individual writer. 

      So, if you’re wondering how long it will take you to write an article, the best answer is: it really depends, but you can use the above average times as benchmark for your performance.

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