Mercury retrograde typically lasts for about three to four weeks each time it occurs. Because Mercury orbits the sun very quickly—taking only 88 Earth days—it goes into retrograde motion about three to four times a year. Each retrograde period lasts roughly three weeks. For example, in 2025, Mercury retrograde periods will be around three weeks in length each time, such as March 14 to April 7, July 18 to August 11, and November 9 to November 29.
So, to summarize:
- Mercury retrograde lasts around 3 weeks per occurrence.
- This happens about 3 to 4 times per year.
- The exact length can vary slightly but is generally close to 21 to 25 days.
This retrograde motion is an optical illusion from Earth’s perspective where Mercury appears to move backward in the sky. It influences areas related to communication, travel, and technology during that period. Hence, Mercury is in retrograde approximately three weeks per cycle, several times per year.
