Read time estimator

Estimate reading and speaking time

Runs in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.

How it works

To estimate reading time, divide the word count by a reading speed. Adults read English at about 238 words a minute, so a 1,000-word article takes about 4 minutes 12 seconds. Speaking is slower, at about 150 words a minute. Paste your text, or just enter a word count, and choose a speed.

reading time = words ÷ words a minute

If you paste text, we count its words. If you don’t, we use your word count.

Worked example. A 1,000-word article takes about 4 min 12 sec to read at 238 words a minute.

Examples

Words	Reading	Speaking
300	1 min 16 sec	2 min
500	2 min 6 sec	3 min 20 sec
1000	4 min 12 sec	6 min 40 sec
2000	8 min 24 sec	13 min 20 sec

What this tool doesn’t cover

Speeds vary by person and by how hard the text is.

Questions

How long is a 5-minute speech?

About 750 words, at 150 words a minute.

Should I show read time on my blog?

Many sites do, as it helps people decide when to read.

Is my text uploaded?

No. Everything runs in your browser, and nothing is saved or sent.

How is reading time worked out?

Divide the word count by a reading speed. Adults read about 200 to 250 words a minute.

How many words is a 10-minute read?

About 2,000 to 2,500 words at a normal reading speed.

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Built by QuickToolz.

Sources: Brysbaert (2019), How many words do we read per minute? (opens in a new tab)