How many hours does it take to reach B2? An honest answer

November 12, 2026

“Fluent in 30 days” makes a good headline and a bad plan. If you need a real level, such as B2 for work, study or an exam, you need a real estimate.

The range

Commonly cited estimates for guided study from zero to B2 sit somewhere between 500 and 800 hours for a language close to English, such as French or Spanish. Languages that are further from English, like Japanese or Mandarin, usually take considerably longer. These are estimates; your own number will differ.

What moves your number

• What you already know. English speakers recognise a lot of French and Spanish vocabulary. A second Romance language is faster still.
• Consistency. An hour a day beats seven hours on Sunday, because memory needs repeated contact.
• Speaking time. Learners who mostly read and listen reach B2 understanding long before B2 speaking.
• Feedback. Writing and speaking improve fastest when something corrects you, quickly and specifically.

Turning hundreds of hours into days

Take 600 hours as an example:

• 1 hour a day is about 20 months.
• 2 hours a day is about 10 months.
• 3 hours a day is about 7 months.

That is arithmetic, not a promise. If your exam is fixed, work back from the date: how many hours do you have, and how many days will you really study?

A week that works

• Every day: new words and phrases, a short review of old ones, some listening.
• Most days: speak out loud, even alone. Repeat after audio, then a short conversation.
• Twice a week: write something short and get it corrected.
• Every few weeks: a quick check of all four skills, so you know which one is lagging.

Measure the right thing

Streaks and points are fun (FluentSprout has both), but the number that matters is your level in each skill. Check it regularly, and adjust the plan when one skill falls behind.