Bill Gates is known for being an avid reader who gets through dozens of books per year. With his busy schedule and multitude of responsibilities, many people wonder just how fast Gates is able to read and absorb all that information. In this article, we’ll break down Bill Gates’ reading speed and habits and calculate an estimate of how quickly he’s able to finish books.
Bill Gates’ Reading Habits
By his own account, Bill Gates reads about 50 books per year, which breaks down to just under one book per week. His reading list includes non-fiction books covering his interests like science, healthcare, business, and philanthropy. He also enjoys lighter fiction novels as a way to relax. According to interviews, Gates is strategic about when and how he reads:
- He sets aside time for reading every night before bed.
- He focuses on reading hard copy books without distractions from TV, phone, etc.
- He takes notes and highlights key passages as he reads.
- He discusses books with friends and colleagues to extract key lessons.
This disciplined approach allows Gates to get through about one book per week even with his busy schedule. He also carries books with him when traveling so he can fit in reading whenever he has small pockets of spare time.
Bill Gates’ Reading Speed
Bill Gates has stated in interviews that he is able to read about one book per week. Assuming the average length of a typical book is around 300 pages, this means Gates likely reads at a speed of around 50-60 pages per hour.
This reading speed is considered moderately fast, but not extraordinarily so. The average adult reader reads fiction books at 200-400 words per minute (WPM). This translates to around 15-30 pages per hour if we assume the standard of 250 words per page. Bill Gates’ reading speed of 50-60 pages per hour equates to about 400-480 WPM, or 1.5 to 2 times faster than an average reader.
How Bill Gates’ Reading Speed Compares
While Bill Gates’ reading speed is above average, it does not quite reach the levels of the fastest speed readers in the world. Here’s how Gates compares to different categories of readers:
| Reader Type | Average Reading Speed (WPM) |
|---|---|
| Average adult | 200-400 |
| Bill Gates | 400-480 |
| Advanced personal reader | 400-700 |
| Speed reading world champion | 1,000-3,500 |
As you can see, while Gates reads faster than the average person, he does not compare to true speed reading champions who can digest material at up to 5 times his pace. However, Gates’ ability to maintain an above average recreational reading speed while running a multi-billion dollar global enterprise is impressive in its own right.
How Long It Takes Bill Gates to Read Different Types of Books
Now that we know Bill Gates’ baseline reading speed, we can estimate how long it would take him to finish books of different lengths. Here are some examples:
Fiction Novel
Fiction novels tend to run in the 75,000 to 100,000 word range, which equates to about 300-400 pages. At 50-60 pages per hour, Gates would be able to finish a typical fiction book in 5 to 8 hours.
Non-fiction Book
Non-fiction books vary more widely in length but are often in the 40,000 to 100,000 word range. A 100,000 word non-fiction book would take Gates 8 to 10 hours to complete.
Long Novel
Very long novels like the Harry Potter books can be 120,000 words or more. A 150,000 word novel would take Gates 12 to 15 hours to read completely.
Shorter Non-fiction
Short non-fiction books and long articles can range from 15,000 to 40,000 words. A 25,000 word book could be finished by Gates in 2 to 4 hours.
Keep in mind these are just estimates, and Gates’ reading time would vary depending on the complexity of the material, how deeply he is trying to comprehend it, and other demands on his time while reading.
Tips from Bill Gates’ Reading Habits
Though Bill Gates has a natural ability to read quickly, anyone can improve their reading speed and retention by applying some of the techniques Gates uses:
- Read consistently – Set aside time for reading every day.
- Minimize distractions – Avoid phones, TV, web browsing while reading.
- Engage with the material – Take notes and highlights to stay focused.
- Read strategically – Choose books aligned with your interests and goals.
- Discuss what you read – Conversations cement the concepts.
Reading faster is less about lightning quick word decoding and more about focus, immersion, and comprehension. Gates’ ability to juggle book learning alongside his multifaceted career also demonstrates the power of consistency. By making time for reading each night, he absorbs a steady stream of knowledge week after week, compounding into major learning over the course of a year.
Conclusion
Bill Gates reads about 50 books per year, averaging around one book per week. His reading speed is estimated at 400-480 words per minute, allowing him to finish a typical 300 page book in 5 to 8 hours. While not an unprecedented speed reader, Gates’ consistent reading habits and ability to comprehend complex information efficiently allows him to continue learning at a rapid pace even while handling his countless business and philanthropic activities.