Reading Time Estimator
Estimate how long it takes to read any text. Shows word count, character count, reading time, and speaking time. Adjustable words per minute. Free, 100% in your browser.
Reference
How is reading time estimated?
Reading time is calculated by dividing the word count by a reading speed in words per minute (WPM). The average adult reads at about 238 WPM for non-fiction (based on a 2019 meta-analysis by Brysbaert). Speaking is slower — the average speaking pace is about 150 WPM. Technical content is typically read at 200-220 WPM, while light fiction can reach 250-300 WPM.
Reading speed reference
Average adult: 238 WPM (silent reading). Fast readers: 300-400 WPM. Speed readers: 400-700 WPM (with reduced comprehension). Technical content: 200-220 WPM. Speaking pace: 120-150 WPM. Audiobook pace: 150-160 WPM. Presentation pace: 100-130 WPM. Medium.com uses 265 WPM, and most blogging platforms use 200-250 WPM for their reading time estimates.
Common use cases
Blog posts — display estimated reading time for articles (like Medium). Presentations — estimate speaking duration for talks and lectures. Content planning — ensure articles match target reading times. Podcast scripts — estimate episode length from script word count. Study planning — estimate time needed to read textbook chapters.
Privacy
All calculations run 100% in your browser. No data is sent to any server.