Every gamer has asked the same question at some point: how long will this game take to finish? Whether you are planning your weekend or trying to clear a growing backlog, knowing a game’s length before you start can save time and frustration. HowLongToBeat (HLTB) has become the go-to resource for answering that question, offering crowdsourced completion times for over 60,000 games across every major platform.
The service is not just a database. It includes a mobile app, a browser extension, and the ability to sync with your Steam library. This guide covers everything from downloading the app to finding the longest games on the platform, with clear, fact-based instructions drawn directly from the service itself and community discussions.
If you have ever wondered how long a specific title will take, or how to get HLTB data to appear inside your Steam library, the answers are below.
What is the HowLongToBeat App and How Do You Use It?
The HowLongToBeat app brings the full database to your phone. It is available on iOS and Android, and can also be downloaded as an APK from the official website. The app lets you search for any game, view three completion categories (Main Story, Main + Extras, Completionist), and track your personal backlog.
iOS, Android, Web (PWA), APK
Import full library with playtimes
Chrome/Edge – sync with Steam
Over 1000 hours (community data)
- HowLongToBeat crowdsources game length data from millions of users, giving you realistic estimates for main story, main+extras, and completionist runs.
- The official app (iOS/Android) lets you search games, track backlog, and view stats on the go.
- Importing your Steam library automatically populates your backlog with estimated times based on your owned games.
- The browser extension adds HLTB data directly to Steam store pages for instant length info.
- Longest games often include MMOs, RPGs, and simulation titles with completionist times exceeding 500 hours.
| Key Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2011 (approximate community start) |
| Data Source | Crowdsourced from registered users |
| Total Games | Over 60,000 entries |
| Platforms Covered | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, Mobile, and more |
| Main Features | Backlog tracking, time comparison, game search, Steam sync |
| Mobile App | Available on iOS & Android (also APK download) |
| Browser Extension | Chrome (and Edge compatible) |
To download the app, visit the iOS App Store or Google Play. An APK is also available directly from the official website.
How to Import Your Steam Library into HowLongToBeat
Syncing your Steam library with HLTB is one of the most useful features for PC gamers. It automatically adds every game you own to your backlog, complete with estimated completion times. This saves you from manually searching and adding each title.
Step-by-Step: Importing Your Steam Games
Log into your HLTB account on the website. Navigate to the “Import Steam” option under your profile settings. You will be asked to authorize the connection between your Steam account and HLTB. Once approved, the system scans your library and matches each game to its database entry. Your backlog is then populated with the corresponding completion time estimates.
Steam does not have native HLTB integration. According to a Steam community discussion, users have suggested adding this feature, but it remains a third-party effort. A project on GitHub, hltb-millennium-plugin, is described as “a Millennium plugin that displays How Long To Beat completion times on game pages in the Steam library and store.” This is the closest available solution for seeing HLTB data directly inside Steam.
How Long to Beat Neverness to Everness?
Neverness to Everness is an upcoming open-world RPG that has generated significant interest. As of 2025, the game is still in development, with beta testing ongoing in certain regions. Because the game has not yet had a full public release, HLTB currently lists no user-submitted times.
Players looking for completion estimates will need to wait until the game launches and a sufficient number of users submit their playthrough data. Based on the genre and scope, the game is expected to be a lengthy experience, but no official or crowdsourced numbers are available at this time.
What Are the Longest Games to Beat on HowLongToBeat?
For gamers who want the most value or the biggest challenge, HLTB’s community data reveals which titles demand the most time. The longest games typically fall into specific genres: massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), deep simulation titles, and games with procedural or infinite content.
According to the HLTB database, the current longest games include ‘The Longing,’ which requires over 400 days of real time due to its unique mechanics, and ‘World of Warcraft,’ where completionist playthroughs can easily exceed 1000 hours. Simulation games like ‘Kerbal Space Program’ and strategy titles such as the ‘Civilization’ series also rank highly, with completionist times often surpassing 300 hours.
The most accurate way to find the current top games is to check the HLTB ‘Longest Games’ ranking on the official website, which updates as new submissions come in.
How Does the HowLongToBeat Browser Extension Work?
The official HLTB browser extension is available for Chrome and Edge. Once installed, it automatically displays game length estimates on Steam store pages, as well as on other supported game storefronts. This removes the need to switch tabs or manually search for completion times.
The extension uses the same crowdsourced database as the main website. When you view a game on Steam, a small overlay appears showing the main story time, the main+extras time, and the completionist time. For users who want to see this data inside the Steam library itself, third-party plugins like the Millennium plugin are the only confirmed option.
HowLongToBeat: A Brief Timeline
- ~2011: HLTB launched as a community-driven game length database.
- 2015+: Gained popularity as a go-to resource for game completion times.
- 2019: Official mobile app released (iOS/Android).
- 2020: Steam library import feature introduced; browser extension launched.
- 2023-2025: Continued updates with new game additions, UI improvements, and community growth.
Data Accuracy: What You Should Know
HowLongToBeat times are based on self-reported user submissions. This can introduce a bias, as participants are often more dedicated gamers. A Reddit discussion in r/Games raised this exact point, questioning whether the data skews toward very good players. Both the median and average times are displayed, and the number of submissions is shown for each entry.
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| HLTB data is crowdsourced from registered users. | How representative the user base is of the general gaming population. |
| The platform displays median and average times. | Whether the data is skewed toward faster or more dedicated players. |
| Games with more submissions have more reliable data. | The exact impact of self-reporting bias on individual game entries. |
Why HowLongToBeat Matters for Gamers
With over 60,000 games cataloged and millions of submissions, HLTB solves a common problem: knowing how much time a game will take. It helps gamers plan their backlog, decide what to play next, and compare their pace with the community. The Steam import and browser extension make it seamless for PC gamers, while the mobile app extends functionality on the go.
The service fills a gap that platform holders have largely left open. Community discussion indicates that GOG and Xbox already surface HLTB-style completion-time information, which is why some users want Steam to copy that behavior. Until then, third-party tools and direct HLTB access remain the primary methods.
Quotes and Sources
“How long are your favorite video games? HowLongToBeat has the answer. Create a backlog, submit your game times and compete with your friends!”
— HowLongToBeat homepage
Key sources for this guide include the official HowLongToBeat website, the Steam community discussion on native HLTB integration, the GitHub project for the HLTB Millennium plugin, and community analysis on Reddit regarding data accuracy.
Summary: Getting Started with HowLongToBeat
HowLongToBeat is a straightforward service once you know the steps. Download the app for iOS or Android, install the browser extension for Chrome or Edge, and import your Steam library to instantly populate your backlog. The data is crowdsourced, so check the number of submissions for any given game to gauge reliability. For the longest games, browse the HLTB rankings directly. For more detailed strategies on managing your time, see our guide on How Long to Beat Games: The Ultimate Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I download the HowLongToBeat app?
For iOS, search ‘HowLongToBeat’ on the App Store. For Android, get it on Google Play or download the APK from the official site. The app is free.
Is there a HowLongToBeat extension for Chrome?
Yes, the official HowLongToBeat browser extension is available for Chrome and Edge. It displays game lengths directly on Steam and other store pages.
How do I import my Steam library?
Log into your HLTB account, go to ‘Import Steam’ under your profile, and authorize the connection. Your owned games will be added to your backlog with estimated times.
How long is Neverness to Everness?
As of 2025, Neverness to Everness is still in development (beta). HLTB currently lists no user submissions; check back after full release for accurate times.
What are the longest games on HowLongToBeat?
As of 2025, the longest games include ‘The Longing’ (400+ days real time), MMOs like ‘World of Warcraft’ (hundreds of hours for completion), and simulation/RPG such as ‘Kerbal Space Program’ (300+ hours). See the HLTB ‘Longest Games’ ranking for up-to-date data.
Can I trust HowLongToBeat times?
Times are user-submitted so they can be skewed. Check the number of submissions and look at median vs average. For mainstream games with many submissions, it is generally reliable.
Does Steam have native HowLongToBeat support?
No. A Steam community discussion confirms this is a suggestion from users, not a built-in feature. Third-party plugins like the Millennium plugin are required.
What platforms does HLTB cover?
PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, Mobile, and more. The database includes over 60,000 entries across all major gaming platforms.
Priya Mehta is Economics & Policy Editor at TradeWireUK.uk, covering the UK economy, inflation, interest rates, fiscal policy and trade policy.