We introduce a modeJ to describe real-time grating formation in holographic photochromic diarylethene-dopedpolymeric thin films. This model, which combines photochromic chemical reaction with the coupled-wave theory, indicates that the grating recording time depends on the molecular absorption coefficient of molecules and the quantum yield of the photochromic reaction at a certain holographic recording intensity. The model is validated by comparing its predictions with the experimental results in which photochromic molecule 1,2-bis(2-methyl-5-(4-formylphenyl)-3-thienyl) perfluorocyclopentene doped PMMA films were used.