How long does it take to read Frankenstein?
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is 69,412 words long. At an average reading speed of 250 words per minute, it takes about 4 hours 38 minutes to read — a normal-length novel.
Reading time at your speed
Reading speed varies more than most people expect — the gap between a slow and a fast reader is more than double. Find your row, or take the reading speed test to get your real number first.
| Reading speed | Words per minute | Time to finish |
|---|---|---|
| Slowcareful reading, or reading in a second language | 150 wpm | 7 hours 43 minutes |
| Below averageunhurried, easily distracted, or a dense text | 200 wpm | 5 hours 47 minutes |
| Averagewhat most adults read at | 250 wpm | 4 hours 38 minutes |
| Fasta confident, practised reader | 325 wpm | 3 hours 34 minutes |
| Very fastskimming, or very familiar material | 400 wpm | 2 hours 54 minutes |
If English is your second language, expect to read a little below your usual speed on a classic like this one.
How long if you read a bit each day?
Almost nobody reads a novel in one sitting. Here is how Frankenstein breaks down at an average 250 wpm, depending on how much time you give it each day.
| Reading a day | Days to finish | That is |
|---|---|---|
| 10 minutes | 28 days | about 4 weeks |
| 15 minutes | 19 days | about 3 weeks |
| 30 minutes | 10 days | about a week |
| 60 minutes | 5 days | 5 days |
How long is each chapter?
Frankenstein has 24 chapters, averaging 2,892 words — about 12m each. The longest is Chapter 24 at 33m; the shortest is Chapter 1 at 7m. Useful if you read a chapter a night.
Chapter times at 250 wpm.
Start Frankenstein today
280 pages, level B2. Free on the 12-month plan, with a reading tracker, tap-to-translate vocabulary and a short quiz.
Common questions
How long does it take to read Frankenstein?
Frankenstein is 69,412 words long. At an average adult reading speed of 250 words per minute that is about 4 hours 38 minutes. A slower reader at 150 wpm needs around 7 hours 43 minutes; a fast reader at 400 wpm finishes in roughly 2 hours 54 minutes.
How many words is Frankenstein?
Frankenstein is 69,412 words across 24 chapters, which is a normal-length novel. Of the 26 classics on readClassicly, 8 are longer and 17 are shorter.
Can I read Frankenstein in a day?
It is possible, but it would take most of a day. At 250 wpm Frankenstein runs to about 4 hours 38 minutes of continuous reading. Spread over 5 days at an hour a day it is far more comfortable.
Is Frankenstein hard to read?
At CEFR level B2, Frankenstein is a moderate read, comfortable at upper-intermediate English. You can read it free at readClassicly and tap any word you don't know to look it up, which keeps a harder classic from stalling you.
Reading a classic to learn English?
readClassicly has a free plan for English reading for beginners: graded classic stories with tap-to-define words, audio, and a short quiz after each one. Start at your level and build up to full books like this one. If you are just starting, begin with the short English stories for beginners.