How Many Pages is 500 Words? (527 words)

Answering the dilemma of how many pages do 500 words mean, one would prefer the less thorough response: one page, single spaced formatted. Or the other often seen alternative, two pages, double spaced formatted. Although, some other factors are taken into account than simply to question the utility of having pages formatted single spaced, rather than formatting the whole work using double spaced pages.

The distance between the lines – more important than it seems

Students have always tried to get twice the result while making only half the effort. So, tasked to write a report with a multitude of sheets rather than a required word count, they suddenly preferred their pages to be double spaced, instead of the old-fashioned way of having pages single spaced. As a direct result: reports based on word count have been invented. No arguing with line spreading, when 500 words essay is the clearly stated task at hand.

But other than the content itself, the presentation of the required paper weighs a lot, also. Which is to say that, for example, a paper with fewer pages, but single spaced, could seem a lot more concentrated on the essential issues, than a study with more pages using double spaced lines. It might seem more fluff-free, and so, a teacher might appreciate it more and favor a higher mark.

Returning to default settings

Trying to avoid these inaccuracies, essay writing has become much more standardized: applying word count, stipulating line spread, or the type and size of the used font. Most scientific studies use well-known paper writing styles, with default formatting manner, as is the case in APA format, or MLA format. Both require using the Times New Roman, 12 point font, with 1-inch margins on all sides. They encourage having pages double spaced, therefore using either, would mean an essay of 500 words is two paper sheets long.

For those who don’t sanction having pages single spaced, but also hate to waste all that paper when double spreading the lines, there is always the less common option of writing a paper 1.5 spaced. Thus, making the pre-defined number of words assignment we’ve been talking about, around 1.6 sheets long, using the formats mentioned before.

Is handwriting still a thing?

One last question to be answered: how many pages is 500 words, if handwritten? Considering the handwriting style, a paper can fit somewhere between three or, if you write really sloppy, four sheets. Contrariwise, when handwriting your draft and wanting to type it on the clear, keep in mind that, on average, four sheets are written by hand make for a sole page single spaced, or two pages double spaced when typed.

Let’s overview the word count and how many pages you need for a specific number of words.