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The original was posted on /r/40klore by /u/JarnosFr on 2023-10-06 14:02:47.

I was idly wondering how many xenos races were exterminated by the Imperium during their various crusades and xenocides, and I realized that I had a way to calculate it : the Tau Empire. According to the Lexicanum, he Tau Empire is inhabited by 29 named species in it (including the Tau but excluding the humans). Assuming that sentient species are evenly distributed across the galaxy (quite the assumption here, but let’s roll with it), we can use a simple cross-multiplication, given the proportionate size of the Tau Empire to the galaxy. I estimated it on a graphic program at around 0.123% of the total size of the inhabited galaxy (using the latest official galaxy map). So the total number of sentient races in the galaxy is more than 23 570, prior to any grubby human tempering.

So, if we assume that the Imperium has followed through all its eradications, and that the only sentient species remaining are the ones listed in the Lexicanum (around 270 total), we can conclude that the Imperium has exterminated more than 23 300 sentient species.