How Long to Beat Skyrim? Main Story, Side Quests and 100%

Skyrim takes about 25 hours to finish the main quest, about 107 hours if you add side quests and guilds, and about 201 hours to do everything, according to players on IGDB. So the real question isn't how long Skyrim is, it's how long you want to stay. Here's how those hours break down.

Main story only: about 25 hours

If you rush the dragon and Dragonborn questline without stopping, plan for about 25 hours. It's doable, but you'd miss what makes Skyrim special: most players get pulled into a random cave or village long before the end.

That pace mostly suits returning players who already know the map and want to replay the story with a new character. On a first run, it's better to accept that you'll wander off. The detours are the point.

With side content: about 107 hours

This is the most realistic number. The guilds (Companions, College of Winterhold, Thieves Guild, Dark Brotherhood), the big side quests and a good chunk of exploration take you to around 107 hours. That's where many of the game's best moments live.

The nice part is that you choose the mix. A mage who ignores the thieves or a warrior who never sets foot in the College will land well below that figure, and that's fine.

100% completion: about 201 hours

Completing everything means clearing every dungeon, finishing every quest and exploring every corner of the map, which adds up to about 201 hours. Very few players go that far, and you don't need to in order to enjoy the game.

What that looks like in evenings

With 2-hour sessions, the main story alone is about 12 or 13 evenings, roughly a month at three nights a week. With side content you're looking at around 53 evenings, enough for a solid few months. 100% is about 100 evenings: a project that can easily last a relaxed year.

Tips to keep moving

Pick two or three guilds that suit your character instead of all of them. Use fast travel once you've discovered an area. And don't loot everything: carry weight slows you down fast. What not to skip: at least one full guild questline, especially the Dark Brotherhood, and the random encounters on the road.

Verdict

You can wrap up Skyrim in a month, but it's best enjoyed over several. Aim for around a hundred hours with the quests that grab you, and leave 100% to the die-hards. If you want something similar afterward, our list of games like Skyrim has you covered.

FAQ

How long is the Skyrim main quest?

According to players on IGDB, Skyrim's main quest takes about 25 hours if you head straight for it. In practice most players take longer, because it's hard to ignore the caves, villages and side quests you run into along the way.

Does Skyrim have an ending?

The main quest does wrap up, but the game keeps going afterward. You can carry on with guild quests, explore and level up your character for as long as you like. That's why so many players end up spending hundreds of hours in it.

How long does it take to 100% Skyrim?

According to players on IGDB, 100% completion takes about 201 hours. That covers the story, the guilds, the side quests and full exploration of the map. At 2 hours a night, you're looking at around 100 evenings to get there.