How many lines does Hamlet have in Hamlet?
The size of the part, every scene it speaks in, its longest speeches, and how long it takes to learn.
The Offbook team
Oct 8, 2026
Hamlet has about 1,485 lines in Hamlet: 11,570 words in 359 speeches, 39.1% of the play, and the largest part. The role speaks in 13 of the 20 scenes, and its longest wait is 3 scenes in a row without a line.
Hamlet is the longest single role in Shakespeare. Most of the load sits in the first three acts. He is offstage for the last three scenes of the fourth act, then returns for the graveyard and the duel.
- Lines
- 1,485
- Words
- 11,570
- Share of play
- 39.1%
- Speech time
- 83 min
54% of the words are verse. 359 speeches means about 359 cues to learn.
Scene by scene
| Scene | Words | Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Act 1, Scene 2 | 761 | 5.4 |
| Act 1, Scene 4 | 495 | 3.5 |
| Act 1, Scene 5 | 688 | 4.9 |
| Act 2, Scene 2 | 2,245 | 16.0 |
| Act 3, Scene 1 | 642 | 4.6 |
| Act 3, Scene 2 | 1,778 | 12.7 |
| Act 3, Scene 3 | 194 | 1.4 |
| Act 3, Scene 4 | 1,344 | 9.6 |
| Act 4, Scene 2 | 156 | 1.1 |
| Act 4, Scene 3 | 193 | 1.4 |
| Act 4, Scene 4 | 364 | 2.6 |
| Act 5, Scene 1 | 1,030 | 7.4 |
| Act 5, Scene 2 | 1,680 | 12.0 |
The longest speeches
| Speech | Scene | Words |
|---|---|---|
| “Ay, so, God be wi’ ye; Now I am alone.” | Act 2, Scene 2 | 460 |
| “I’ll be with you straight. Go a little before.” | Act 4, Scene 4 | 287 |
| “To be, or not to be: that is the question:” | Act 3, Scene 1 | 276 |
| “Look here, upon this picture, and on this,” | Act 3, Scene 4 | 276 |
| “I heard thee speak me a speech once, but it was ne…” | Act 2, Scene 2 | 266 |
| “Nay, do not think I flatter;” | Act 3, Scene 2 | 261 |
| “O, that this too too solid flesh would melt,” | Act 1, Scene 2 | 259 |
| “Now might I do it pat, now he is praying;” | Act 3, Scene 3 | 194 |
How many lines a day to learn
New lines a day to be off book in time, learning five days a week. Review what you already know on the other days.
| Time until off book | New lines a day |
|---|---|
| 2 weeks | 149 |
| 3 weeks | 99 |
| 4 weeks | 75 |
| 6 weeks | 50 |
More from Hamlet
- Hamlet’s monologue: “To be, or not to be”
- Hamlet’s monologue: “O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!”
- How many lines does Ophelia have?
- Every role in Hamlet, by size
Questions actors ask
How many lines does Hamlet have in Hamlet?
About 1,485 lines: 813 lines of verse and 5,374 words of prose. That is 11,570 words in 359 speeches, 39.1% of the play and the largest part.
How long is Hamlet’s longest speech?
460 words, in Act 2, Scene 2, beginning “Ay, so, God be wi’ ye; Now I am alone.” At 140 words a minute it runs about 3.3 minutes.
How long does it take to learn Hamlet?
To be off book in three weeks, learning five days a week, plan on about 99 new lines a day, plus time to review what you already know. Start with your longest speeches and the scenes with the most cues.
Keep reading
- Hamlet: every role by lines, words, and stage timeWilliam Shakespeare. Line counts, scenes, and the longest speeches.
- How many lines does Petruchio have in The Taming of the Shrew?Lines, words, scenes, the longest speeches, and a plan to learn the part.
- How many lines does Touchstone have in As You Like It?Lines, words, scenes, the longest speeches, and a plan to learn the part.
- How many lines does Ophelia have in Hamlet?Lines, words, scenes, the longest speeches, and a plan to learn the part.