How to read the Bible in a year
Last updated
The King James Bible has 1,189 chapters, so you finish in 52 weeks by reading 23 chapters a week. Read four chapters on five days, three on one weekend day, and take one day off. That leaves seven chapters of slack. Start at Genesis 1 and read in book order.
| Week | Chapters read so far | Share of the Bible |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | 299 | About one quarter |
| 26 | 598 | About half |
| 39 | 897 | About three quarters |
| 52 | 1,196 | Done, with 7 spare |
The math behind the plan
Twenty-three chapters a week times 52 weeks is 1,196 chapters, seven more than the 1,189 in the KJV. Those seven spare chapters are your cushion for a missed day, so you never need a catch-up binge. The whole plan rests on that one small surplus of chapters.
Check yourself at the quarter marks. By the end of week 13 you should have read about 299 chapters, by week 26 about 598, and by week 39 about 897.
A weekly template you can repeat
Read four chapters a day on five days, three chapters on one weekend day, and rest on the other. Split the four any way that fits your day, such as two in the morning and two at night. The shape of the week stays the same from January to December.
Read in book order, Genesis to Revelation. Some readers slow down in Leviticus and Numbers. If you stall, keep a Gospel or the Psalms open beside the main reading for a few days, then return.
What to do when you fall behind
Resume at the next chapter in line. Do not read three days at once to catch up. A year-long plan is built to survive a bad week, and the seven spare chapters exist for that purpose. One missed day costs you almost nothing.
If you are two weeks behind at the half-year mark, move your finish date instead of doubling up. Finishing in 14 months still beats quitting in March.
Track it in BibleScroll
BibleScroll shows the full King James text free, one verse per swipe, with a daily verse and a streak counter. It also has six reading plans that run from 7 to 90 days, which work as short warm-ups before the long haul.
Frequently asked questions
How many chapters a day is that?
About 3.3 a day on average. The plan above uses four chapters on five days and three on one weekend day.
How many chapters are in the Bible?
The King James Version has 1,189 chapters.
Should I read in order?
Book order from Genesis to Revelation is the simplest to follow. Readers who stall in the law books often add a Gospel or Psalms alongside.
What if I miss a week?
Pick up at the next unread chapter and push the finish date back a week. Skipping ahead leaves gaps in the story.
Is there a free app for this?
BibleScroll has the full KJV, a daily verse and a streak counter free. Other free Bible apps also offer year-long plans.
Can I listen instead of read?
BibleScroll has voice narration. Check the app for the current options.
Try BibleScroll free
One verse per swipe. Full King James text free. AI help on any verse.