How long does it take to read the whole Quran?
It depends on your pace, but roughly 15 to 25 hours of reading for a fluent Arabic reader. The standard mushaf has about 604 pages in 30 parts (juz). If you read one juz a day, you finish in a month. Reading only the English translation takes a similar amount of time, and there's no deadline in Islam.
The numbers
- 114 surahs (chapters) and about 6,236 verses.
- 30 juz (parts), each about 20 pages in the common Madinah print.
- About 604 pages in that print.
- One juz takes a fluent reader about 30 to 45 minutes. Beginners take longer, and that's normal.
An English translation is roughly the length of a long novel. At a relaxed pace, most people finish it in a few weeks to a few months. See Which English translation of the Quran should I read?
Common reading plans
- One juz a day: finish in 30 days. This is a popular goal in Ramadan, the month the Quran was revealed.
- Four pages after each prayer: 20 pages a day, about a juz, so also around a month.
- One page a day: finish in under two years.
- One "khatm" a month: the Prophet ﷺ told Abdullah ibn Amr: "Recite the whole Qur'an in one month's time" (Sahih al-Bukhari 5054).
In the same hadith, when Abdullah wanted to do more, the Prophet ﷺ allowed seven days but said not to go faster. He also said: "He who recites the Qur'an in a period less than three days does not understand it" (Sunan Abi Dawud 1394). Understanding matters more than speed.
Ramadan and the Quran
Many Muslims try to finish once in Ramadan. The Prophet ﷺ reviewed the Quran with Jibril every year: "Gabriel used to repeat the recitation of the Qur'an with the Prophet (ﷺ) once a year" (Sahih al-Bukhari 4998), and scholars explain that this review took place in Ramadan.
As a new Muslim, finishing in your first Ramadan isn't required. Read what you can with understanding. See Do I have to fast Ramadan in my first year as a Muslim?
What if I'm slow?
If you're still learning Arabic, a single page might take 20 minutes. That's fine. The Prophet ﷺ said the one who reads with difficulty "will have a double reward" (Sahih al-Bukhari 4937). Combining listening with reading helps too: see Can I listen to the Quran while driving or doing chores?
- About 604 pages in 30 juz.
- One juz a day finishes it in a month.
- Finishing in less than three days was discouraged.
- Slow readers get a double reward.
People also ask
Can I put the Quran on the floor?
No, it's best to keep a printed Quran off the floor out of respect. Accidents or brief necessity aren't sinful; use a stand.
Read the full answer →How much Quran should I read every day?
It depends on you: there's no fixed amount. Read what you can keep up daily, even a few verses. Consistency beats quantity.
Read the full answer →Do I need wudu to touch a printed Quran?
Yes, most scholars require wudu to touch the Arabic mushaf. Reading without touching, or holding it with a cloth or bag, is fine.
Read the full answer →Can I read the Quran on my phone without wudu?
Yes, most scholars say a phone isn't a printed mushaf, so you can read the Quran on it without wudu. Wudu is still better.
Read the full answer →Can I read tafsir by myself as a new Muslim?
Yes, reading a trusted tafsir on your own is encouraged. Just don't invent your own rulings, and take hard questions to a teacher.
Read the full answer →