On standard 8-1/2” x 11” paper, 1,000 words is about 4 pages, double spaced.
However, the answer to this question changes based on whether you're typing or writing. Because teachers typically require formal writing to be typed, it's best to rely on the typed word page count.
Some other typical essay word counts measure out to the following pages.
- 500 words (double spaced) is 2 pages
- 1,500 words (double spaced) is 6 pages
- 2,000 words (double spaced) is 8 pages
- 2,500 words (double spaced) is 10 pages
- 3,000 words (double spaced) is 12 pages
- 4,000 words (double spaced) is 16 pages
- 5,000 words (double spaced) is 20 pages
The best way to think of it is 250 words equals one double-spaced page. That doesn't sound so bad.
Typed Words
The most common format required for essays is double-spaced, font type Times New Roman, and font size 12pt. With that in mind, 1,000 typed words is about four pages. The average person types 40 words per minute, so it would take about 30 minutes to finish 1,000 words of writing.
If you're asked to submit a paper with single spacing, you will be writing two-and-a-half pages. If you're using 1.5 spacing, it would be around three pages.
An easy way to think of it is that the standard, double-spaced page contains approximately 250 words. This makes the math even faster and perfectly lines up 1,000 words and four pages.
Handwritten Words
No two people write exactly the same way. However, it's safe to say that typical handwritten words are about twice as big as words typed in size 12 font. Handwritten pages are also usually single-spaced, making them about the same length as double-spaced typed words: 4 pages.
Format Factors
The number of pages you write depends on several factors. These elements include the average length of your words and whether your page is single- or double-spaced. But there are other aspects of your writing that you should consider when writing 1,000 words, such as font style, font size, and margins.
The Fonts
Different fonts and different font sizes will affect the number of pages you write. This is one reason why a teacher may give an assignment length in words instead of pages - page length can be faked by changing the margins and fonts.
So stick to the standard fonts. These include Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri, and Verdana. Many teachers will specify this, too, so be sure to check! Along with these standard formats, you're likely to be assigned a standard font size, too. Get ready to see 12pt written somewhere in your teacher's instructions.
Can you spot the difference between the fonts below? It's slight, but you can be sure a top-notch teacher can, so make sure you follow the assignment instructions to the letter. If you have not been set a font, any of these fonts would produce 1,000 words in about four pages, as their characters are a similar width and height and the spacing is the same.
Take a look at the difference between these three fonts:
The characters of Stix are similar to Times New Roman. However, a sans serif font such as Courier, with very wide letters and spacing, could change your page - taking at least four-and-a-half pages for 1,000 words.
The Margins
Once you've set your font to the required font and size - most commonly Times New Roman and font size to 12 - take a quick look at your margins.
Again, going with the standard requirements, you're going to want to set your margins at 1 inch all around.
Many of the most commonly used style guides, including MLA and APA, follow the 1-inch rule.
If you're thinking you can pull a fast one on your teacher and extend the margins, think twice! Your teacher is going to look at your margins first. Anyway, once you do things right, 1-inch margins make for a clear and uniform finished product.
Writing the Essay
Now you're ready to get writing, start by clicking on Format/Paragraph/Line Spacing Double in Microsoft Word. Choose your font and size (most likely Times New Roman and 12 point). Ensure that your margins (all around the page) are set to 1 inch. Then read up on how to write an essay fast so you can finish your homework up quickly.