Reading Time Estimator
Paste any text to find out how long it will take to read.
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This tool estimates how long it will take to read any piece of text, based on word count and reading speed.
Useful for gauging how long a report, article, or email thread will take before you commit to it, or for checking whether that newsletter you're writing is a quick read or an endurance event. Paste the text, pick a speed that matches how you read, and get an instant estimate.
How we work it out
We count the words in your text, then divide by the words-per-minute rate for the speed you selected: 150 wpm for slow, 200 for average, and 250 for fast. The average adult reads silently at around 200 to 250 words per minute, so "Average" is a reasonable starting point for most people.
Reading time by word count
| Words | Slow (150 wpm) | Average (200 wpm) | Fast (250 wpm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 250 | 1 min 40 sec | 1 min 15 sec | 1 min |
| 500 | 3 min 20 sec | 2 min 30 sec | 2 min |
| 1,000 | 6 min 40 sec | 5 min | 4 min |
| 1,500 | 10 min | 7 min 30 sec | 6 min |
| 2,000 | 13 min 20 sec | 10 min | 8 min |
| 3,000 | 20 min | 15 min | 12 min |
| 5,000 | 33 min 20 sec | 25 min | 20 min |
Common mistakes
- Using it for text you need to study. Reading to take it in is slower than reading to skim.
- Counting images, tables and code as if they were text.
- Forgetting that people read at very different speeds.
Questions
What counts as a word?
Anything separated by a space. Numbers, hyphenated phrases, and contractions each count as one word. This matches how most readability tools count them.
Does the speed setting cover technical or dense text?
Not specifically. Dense or technical content typically takes longer to absorb than plain prose. If you're reading something complex, the "Slow" setting is likely the most realistic.
What is a reasonable reading speed?
Most adults read silently at 200 to 300 words per minute. Skim-reading can be faster, but comprehension drops off. Speed-reading claims of 1000+ wpm are generally not supported by research for normal comprehension.
How is the reading time worked out?
The number of words is divided by a reading speed in words per minute: 150 for slow, 200 for average and 250 for fast.
Done reading? Give your brain a different workout.