Reading Time Calculator
How long will it take to read that article, chapter, report or book? Paste the text — or just enter its word count — and get slow, average and fast silent-reading estimates instantly.
Speaking / presenting time
- Slow · 100 wpm
- 0 sec
- Deliberate, formal or second-language delivery
- Average · 130 wpm
- 0 sec
- Comfortable presentation pace
- Fast · 160 wpm
- 0 sec
- Brisk, energetic delivery
Silent reading time
- Slow · 180 wpm
- 0 sec
- Dense, technical or study reading
- Average · 238 wpm
- 0 sec
- Typical adult silent reading
- Fast · 300 wpm
- 0 sec
- Light text, confident readers
Averages are starting points, not promises — the most accurate speed is your own. Time yourself reading or speaking 200 words, divide, and use that as a custom speed. See how these speeds were chosen.
Reading speed, honestly explained
There is no single “correct” reading speed. A widely cited research review of hundreds of studies (Brysbaert, Journal of Memory and Language, 2019) puts the average adult silent reading rate for English non-fiction at about 238 words per minute — that is this calculator's average preset. The slow preset (180 wpm) fits dense, technical or study reading; the fast preset (300 wpm) fits light, familiar material. Every speed is adjustable, and our methodology page explains the reasoning in full.
Writing a blog post or newsletter? The average preset is the number behind most “min read” labels. Writing something your audience must understand, not just finish — a manual, a contract summary, study notes? Plan with the slow figure.
Reading aloud is a different number
If the text will be read aloud — a video script, a presentation, a lesson — silent reading speeds do not apply. Speaking runs at roughly 100–160 words per minute, so the same text takes around twice as long. Use the Speech Time Calculator for anything with an audience.