How much does Bill Gates read a day? The surprising daily habit of a billionaire mind

Bill Gates and his daily reading routine

It might sound cliché, but yes — Bill Gates reads a lot.
And not just the headlines or Twitter threads (although who knows, maybe sometimes). On average, Gates reportedly reads for about one hour a day, even during his busiest times. During his annual "Think Week"? He dives into 12–15 books in just a few days.

Let that sink in. That’s not casual flipping through a magazine — that’s focused, analytical, sometimes annotated reading.

Fun fact: He carries a tote bag full of books everywhere. Even when he travels. I once read he had a book on climate change and a 700-page biography in his suitcase on a trip to Africa. Wild.

What kind of books does Bill Gates read?

Deep nonfiction, not just business

You might think he only reads about tech or economics, but nope. His reading list includes:

• Science and innovation (like How to Avoid a Climate Disaster)

• History (Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari was a favorite)

• Memoirs and biographies

• Global health and development themes

• Occasionally, well-written fiction (rare, but not unheard of)

He even reviews many of these books personally on his blog, Gates Notes, which honestly has some killer recommendations.

He reads to understand, not just for fun

Gates isn’t just skimming. He takes notes in the margins, rewinds, re-reads.
In one interview, he said:

"If I disagree with something, I write it down. If I’m confused, I slow down."

He treats books as if he’s going to teach the material the next day — that level of focus.

So, why does he read so much?

Lifelong learning mindset

Gates believes reading is essential to staying relevant, curious, and effective — especially in a world that changes fast.

He’s quoted saying something like:

“Every book teaches me something new or helps me see things differently.”

Makes sense. When you're running a foundation that tackles global pandemics and education reform, understanding diverse perspectives is... kinda important.

Mental clarity and reflection

Some folks meditate. Gates reads.
It’s his form of focused reflection, where he gets away from noise, thinks long-term, and lets ideas percolate. That’s a superpower in a world full of distractions.

Can regular folks keep up?

Honestly? Kinda.

One hour a day is achievable

Even with a job, kids, and chaos, one hour a day might be tough but not impossible. Break it into chunks:

• 20 minutes in the morning (replace doomscrolling)

• 20 minutes at lunch

• 20 before bed (without your phone!)

Boom — you're on the Gates path.

Choose books that actually spark you

Gates doesn’t read just to check off a list. He picks books that challenge him.
So, don’t feel bad skipping a book you’re not vibing with. The key is depth, not quantity.

I tried copying his approach for a week. Got through 3 chapters of a heavy book on renewable energy. It was slow but eye-opening. And I definitely slept better that week.

Conclusion: How much Gates reads isn't the point — it’s why

Bill Gates reads about one hour a day, consistently, with focus and intention. But the real takeaway isn't the time. It's the discipline, the curiosity, and the fact that one of the world's richest guys still believes books are worth his hours.

And if he finds the time... well, maybe we can too.

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The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

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How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

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