Estimate how long it takes to read any text.
Paste or type your text into the box above. Estimated reading time updates instantly alongside word count and other statistics.
Reading time is calculated at 200 words per minute — the commonly cited average adult reading speed for comprehension (not skimming or speed reading). The result rounds up to the nearest minute.
This is the speed used by this calculator. Suitable for non-fiction, articles, and academic content where full comprehension is expected.
Above average readers who have developed efficient eye movement habits. Fiction and familiar topics are typically read faster.
Techniques like chunking and minimising subvocalisation. Comprehension typically drops at these speeds unless practised regularly.
Your reading speed and your typing speed are both trainable skills. Take a free 1-minute typing test to see how fast you type right now, or try a practice session to improve.
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At the average adult reading speed of 200 words per minute, 1,000 words takes about 5 minutes to read. A fast reader at 300 WPM finishes in roughly 3.5 minutes, while careful reading of dense technical material at 150 WPM takes closer to 7 minutes for the same text.
The default is 200 words per minute, the widely cited average for adults reading English non-fiction with full comprehension. Skimming can reach 400 to 700 WPM and fiction is often read faster, but 200 WPM is the standard figure platforms like Medium use for their read-time estimates.
Speaking is much slower than silent reading. Presenters average 125 to 150 words per minute out loud, versus about 200 WPM for reading. So a 1,000-word script is a 5-minute read but a 7 to 8 minute speech. Use the lower speaking rate when timing a talk or voice-over.