Reading Time Estimator
Paste your text or enter a word count to instantly calculate how many minutes it will take to read, based on your chosen reading speed.
Based on Brysbaert (2019): average adult silent reading speed is 238 wpm. Page estimate uses 250 words per page (standard manuscript format).
Quick answer
Reading time is calculated by dividing the total word count by your reading speed in words per minute (wpm). The average adult reads silently at about 238 wpm, meaning a 1,000-word article takes roughly 4 minutes and 12 seconds. A slow reader at 150 wpm would need about 6 minutes 40 seconds for the same article, while a fast reader at 350 wpm finishes in under 3 minutes. Use this tool to estimate reading time for blog posts, essays, books, or any written content.
Formula & method
Reading Time (min) = Word Count ÷ Reading Speed (wpm)
- Word Count — Total number of words in the text
- Reading Speed (wpm) — Words read per minute — average adult is ~238 wpm
- Reading Time (min) — Resulting time in minutes (decimal form)
Divide total words by words per minute to get fractional minutes. Multiply the decimal remainder by 60 to get seconds.
Examples
- Input
- 500 words at 238 wpm
- Result
- 2 min 6 sec
- Why
- 500 ÷ 238 = 2.1008 minutes. The whole-minute part is 2 min. The fractional part 0.1008 × 60 = ~6 seconds. Result: 2 minutes 6 seconds.
- Input
- 1,200 words at 238 wpm
- Result
- 5 min 3 sec
- Why
- 1,200 ÷ 238 = 5.0420 minutes. The whole part is 5 min. The fractional part 0.0420 × 60 = ~3 seconds. Result: 5 minutes 3 seconds.
- Input
- 3,000 words at 150 wpm
- Result
- 20 min 0 sec
- Why
- 3,000 ÷ 150 = 20.0000 minutes exactly. No fractional remainder. Result: exactly 20 minutes.
- Input
- 800 words at 350 wpm
- Result
- 2 min 17 sec
- Why
- 800 ÷ 350 = 2.2857 minutes. The whole part is 2 min. The fractional part 0.2857 × 60 = ~17 seconds. Result: 2 minutes 17 seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average reading speed for an adult?
Research by Brysbaert (2019) found the average silent reading speed for adults is approximately 238 words per minute (wpm). This is the value most reading-time estimators use as their default. Speed varies by individual, content complexity, and familiarity with the subject matter.
How do I count the words in my text?
Paste your text into this tool's text area and it counts automatically. You can also use Microsoft Word (bottom status bar), Google Docs (Tools > Word count), or any word-processing app. Most writing tools display a live word count.
Does reading speed change for different types of content?
Yes. Technical documents, academic papers, and dense legal text are typically read 20–40% slower than casual prose because readers pause to process unfamiliar terms. Fiction and simple blog posts are read closer to or above average speed. You can adjust the wpm slider in this tool to match your content type.
Why do Medium and other platforms show reading time?
Displaying estimated reading time sets audience expectations upfront, reduces bounce rate, and helps readers decide whether to read now or save for later. Research shows that showing reading time increases time spent on articles. Medium uses approximately 265 wpm as their default calculation.
How long does it take to read a book?
The average novel is about 90,000 words. At 238 wpm that is roughly 378 minutes, or around 6 hours and 18 minutes of pure reading time. Non-fiction books average 60,000–80,000 words (4–6 hours). Actual reading sessions include pauses, re-reads, and note-taking, so real-world time is often 1.5–2x longer.
Is reading time different for reading aloud vs silently?
Yes — reading aloud (oral reading) is roughly 150–180 wpm for most adults, significantly slower than silent reading. For podcast scripts, speeches, or audiobook estimates, use a speed of 130–160 wpm. This tool defaults to silent reading speed; select 'Slow' or enter a custom wpm near 150 for spoken-word estimates.
Sources & references
- https://doi.org/10.3758/s13428-019-01173-0
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0749596X19300786
- https://medium.com/data-lab/how-medium-calculates-read-time-24110346201
External references open in a new tab. We are independent and not affiliated with these organizations.
- ✓ Free to use
- ✓ No sign-up required
- ✓ Runs entirely in your browser — nothing is uploaded.
- ✓ Formula and method shown above
Provided “as is” for general information only — results may be inaccurate, so verify before you rely on them. No warranty; use at your own risk.
Built and reviewed by HIFreeTools against the formula shown above and any authoritative references cited on this page. See our methodology and editorial standards.
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