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Quick answer: The average American reads about 12 books a year, but the typical American reads only about 4. Pew Research Center’s 2015 survey found a mean of 12 and a median of 4, and its 2013 survey found a median of 5. The gap exists because a small group of heavy readers pulls the average up.
Quick facts
Mean (average) books per year, US adults: 12 (Pew, 2015)
Median (typical reader): 4 in 2015, 5 in 2013
Adults who read no book in the past year: 27% (Pew, 2015), about 25% (Pew, 2025)
Reading time for an average novel: roughly 5 to 8 hours
Pace to reach 12 books: one book a month
When people ask how many books the average person reads, they usually get two different answers, and both are correct. This post explains why, shows what the numbers mean for you and gives practical ways to read more if you want to. Survey numbers change from year to year and vary by method, so treat them as a snapshot, not a rule.
Table of Contents
What Do the Surveys Say?
The most cited figures come from Pew Research Center, which asks US adults how many books they read, in whole or in part and in any format, over the past twelve months.
| Survey year | Mean (average) | Median (typical) | Read no books |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 12 | 5 | not covered here |
| 2015 | 12 | 4 | 27% |
Newer data tell a similar story. Pew’s October 2025 survey found that 75% of US adults read at least part of a book in the past year: 38% read one to five books, 13% read six to ten, 10% read eleven to twenty and 14% read more than twenty. That still puts the typical adult at a handful of books a year, while a small group of heavy readers lifts the average.
Other surveys, such as those by Gallup or the National Endowment for the Arts, use different questions and report different numbers, so you should compare only figures from the same source. Counting audiobooks, partial books and children’s books also changes the totals.
Why Is the Average Different From the Typical Reader?
The mean adds up every reader’s total and divides by the number of people. The median is the middle person when everyone is lined up from fewest books to most. Because some people read 50 or 100 books a year, the mean rises, while the median stays low. If you read four books a year, you are reading like a typical American, even though you are below the mean.
What Counts as a Book?
Pew counts books read in whole or in part, in print, e-book or audio form. That generous definition includes people who dip into a book and set it down. If you only count books you finish, the numbers are likely lower. Short books, graphic novels and children’s picture books all count in most surveys, so a year with many quick reads can look strong even if the total page count is modest.
How Many Books Is Normal for Different Readers?
| Reader type | Books per year | What it looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Occasional reader | 1 to 4 | A book on vacation or during a busy season |
| Typical reader | 4 to 12 | A book every month or two |
| Frequent reader | 12 to 30 | A book every week or two |
| Avid reader | 30 to 100+ | Daily reading and often audiobooks |
There is no right number. Reading for pleasure, learning or relaxation is valuable at any pace, and quality matters more than count.
How Long Does It Take to Read a Book?
Research on adult reading suggests an average speed of roughly 240 words per minute for nonfiction and a little higher for fiction. A 90,000-word novel then takes around six hours, and a 60,000-word nonfiction book about four to five. At 20 minutes a day, that is a book every two to three weeks, or roughly 15 to 20 books a year. Slow readers are not worse readers; understanding and enjoyment matter more than speed.
How to Read More Books This Year
- Set a small daily habit. Twenty pages a day adds up to about 7,300 pages a year, or around 20 books of 350 pages.
- Keep a book within reach. Use a phone app, an e-reader like the Kindle Paperwhite or a paperback in your bag for waiting rooms and commutes.
- Quit books you don’t enjoy. Giving yourself permission to stop removes a common reason people stall.
- Mix formats. Audiobooks suit commutes, chores and walks.
- Track what you read. A simple reading journal or app makes progress visible and gives you a record to look back on.
- Choose shorter or easier books when busy. Novellas and short story collections keep the habit going.
- Join a book club. A deadline and a conversation keep many readers on track.
What a Realistic Goal Looks Like
If you read about 4 books now, aim for 6 or 8 next year instead of jumping to 50. Goals that are too big lead to guilt, and guilt makes reading feel like a chore. Many readers use a flexible target, such as one book a month, and let busy months slip without penalty. Reading challenges on Goodreads or a library program can add a bit of fun.
Does Reading More Books Make You Smarter or Happier?
Studies link regular reading with vocabulary growth, empathy and lower stress, and fiction readers tend to score higher on measures of understanding others. These are correlations, so people who read may differ from those who do not in other ways. Still, reading is a low-cost habit with many reported benefits. If you are looking for places to start, try a short, gripping novel or a compelling memoir, and check our book lists for recommendations.
Related: How to Remember What You Read and The Best Book Summaries to Start With.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average number of books read per year in the US?
In Pew Research Center’s 2015 survey, the mean was 12 books and the median was 4. In its 2013 survey, the median was 5.
Why is the median lower than the mean?
A small group of avid readers reads dozens of books a year and pulls the mean up, while the typical reader finishes only a few.
How many Americans read no books at all?
Pew’s 2015 survey found that 27% of adults had not read a book, in whole or in part, in any format during the previous year.
Is reading one book a month a good pace?
Yes. Twelve books a year matches the mean in Pew’s survey and is well above the median of 4.
How can I read more books each year?
Pick a small daily time slot, carry a book or e-reader, quit books you dislike and set a realistic goal such as 20 pages a day, which adds up to about 15 average books a year.