There is no one definitive answer to this question. The duration of a cold can vary depending on the individual, the severity of their illness and the type of virus they have contracted. However, most colds last between 3-10 days. Symptoms typically peak within 2-3 days and then gradually improve over the remainder of the illness. In general, it is safe to say that a cold will last for at least a week and in most cases, closer to two weeks.