How long does a game of solitaire take?

Solitaire fits almost any gap in your day, from a one-minute breather to a longer, more absorbing session, depending on which game you pick.

Quick answer: It depends on the game. Quick matching games like TriPeaks and Golf finish in a minute or two, a typical Klondike or FreeCell game runs 3 to 10 minutes, and larger two-deck games like Spider or Forty Thieves can take 10 to 20 minutes. Experienced players go much faster.

Fast games

The matching games are the quickest. TriPeaks and Golf are usually over in one to two minutes, making them ideal for a short break. Pyramid is similarly brisk. These are the games to reach for when you want a complete round in the time it takes to sip a coffee.

Medium and long games

A standard game of Klondike or FreeCell typically runs 3 to 10 minutes, depending on how much you deliberate. Two-deck games like Spider and Forty Thieves are longer campaigns, often 10 to 20 minutes, because there's far more board to work through.

Speed and improvement

Times drop sharply with practice. Skilled players finish Klondike in well under two minutes, which is what the ranked leaderboard rewards. See what is a good solitaire time for target numbers, and our improvement guide for how to get there.

Play a quick game

Related questions

What is a good solitaire time?

For Klondike, finishing under two minutes is a solid time, and strong players routinely come in around a minute or less. Every game has its own pace, so the best benchmark is the leaderboard for that variant. Fast times come from clean, confident play with little hesitation.

How do you get better at solitaire?

Improve by uncovering hidden cards as early as possible, planning several moves ahead before committing, and not rushing cards to the foundations. Use undo to study why a deal was lost, and practice full-information games like FreeCell where every loss teaches a clear lesson.

How do you win at solitaire?

Win more often by uncovering face-down cards as early as possible, playing from the column with the most hidden cards, and not rushing every card to the foundations too soon. Empty a column to park a King, and always plan the whole sequence before drawing fresh cards from the stock.