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software development timeline calculator
Quick answer: Most custom software ships in 6–20 weeks depending on type, complexity, feature count and team size. Estimate your timeline — broken into discovery/design, build, and QA/launch phases — below.
Estimated timeline
— weeks
— engineering hours
Discovery & design—
Build—
QA & launch—
how this works
Timeline = total engineering hours ÷ effective team velocity (~30 productive hours per person per week), with a standard split of roughly 25% discovery & design, 55% build, and 20% QA & launch. Adding people speeds delivery with diminishing returns (coordination overhead), which is why a focused 2–3 person team often ships fastest.
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frequently asked questions
How long does it take to build software?
Simple builds ship in 6-10 weeks; mid-market web apps 10-20 weeks; complex or integrated products longer. Type, complexity and feature count drive it most.
Can I go faster by adding people?
Somewhat – but coordination overhead means doubling the team rarely halves the timeline. A focused 2-3 person team usually ships fastest.
What slows projects down most?
Unclear requirements and slow feedback loops. A written requirements doc and quick decisions keep delivery on track.
Do you work in sprints?
Yes – we ship in 2-3 week sprints so you see working software early and often.
related guides
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