How Long to Beat Elden Ring? Story, Extras and 100%

Elden Ring takes about 46 hours to beat if you focus on the main story, according to players on IGDB. If you take time to explore dungeons and side quests, plan on 119 hours, and about 174 and a half hours to do everything. The Lands Between are huge, so your total will mostly come down to how curious you are, and how many times a boss sends you back to a Site of Grace.

Main story: about 46 hours

If you stick to the essentials, beating the required bosses and following the main path toward becoming Elden Lord, you're looking at around 46 hours. That's already a big game, and the number assumes you don't get too lost. A boss that walls you for an evening or two can push it up fast.

With side content: about 119 hours

Elden Ring is made to be explored. Catacombs, caves, NPC questlines, optional bosses hiding around a cliff: playing the way most people do, poking into whatever you find, lands you around 119 hours. That's the most realistic figure for a curious first playthrough.

100% completion: about 174 and a half hours

To see everything, every boss, every ending and most of the weapons and spells, plan on about 174 and a half hours. Since the game has multiple endings, going for 100% usually means a New Game Plus run or some well-placed save backups.

How many evenings is that?

At 2 hours a night, the story alone is about 23 evenings, roughly a month and a half at three or four sessions a week. With side content, you're at around 60 evenings, and 100% is close to 87. Elden Ring is a game for a whole season, not a weekend.

Tips to go faster (or play smarter)

If a boss is wrecking you, go explore somewhere else: a few levels and a better weapon change everything. Spirit Ash summons are there to help, so don't be too proud to use them. Get Torrent, your mount, early, and activate every Site of Grace you pass. That said, don't rush it all: optional dungeons often hold the best rewards, and some NPC quests tell the best stories in the game.

Verdict

Elden Ring is a real time investment, but one of the most rewarding in gaming. If you only have a few free evenings, now isn't the moment. If you have a month or two ahead, go for it and explore without guilt. And when you want more, check our games like Elden Ring.

FAQ

Is Elden Ring longer than Dark Souls III?

Yes, by a lot. Dark Souls III takes about 28 hours for the story, compared with about 46 for Elden Ring. Elden Ring's open world adds a huge amount of optional content, which widens the gap even more if you explore. Details in how long to beat Dark Souls III.

Can you beat Elden Ring if you're new to Souls games?

Yes. The open world lets you skip a boss that's too hard, level up elsewhere and come back later. Between Spirit Ash summons and online co-op, plenty of players who had never touched a Souls game made it all the way to the end.

How many endings does Elden Ring have?

Elden Ring has several endings, depending on certain questlines and choices you make near the end. Seeing them all usually means starting New Game Plus or managing your saves carefully, which is part of why 100% completion takes so long.