Reading Time Estimator
Paste any text to instantly see word count, estimated reading time, and speaking time.
Results are for general guidance only — not professional advice. Learn more.
How to use this tool
Paste or type your text into the box above. All metrics update instantly as you type. The tool counts words, characters, and sentences, and estimates both reading and speaking time.
Reading time uses an average speed of 238 words per minute — the research-backed average for adult silent reading. Speaking time uses 130 words per minute, suitable for presentations and podcasts.
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Frequently asked questions
How is reading time calculated?
Reading time is estimated by dividing the total word count by an average reading speed. This tool uses 238 words per minute (wpm), based on research by Brysbaert (2019) as the average silent reading speed for adults reading non-fiction text.
What is the average reading speed?
Research suggests adults read prose at around 238 wpm silently. Speaking speed is typically around 125–150 wpm for a comfortable presentation pace. Speed readers can reach 400+ wpm with some loss of comprehension.
How long should a blog post be?
For SEO, long-form content of 1,500–2,500 words tends to perform well in search results. For reader engagement, the ideal length depends on the topic and audience. Most readers prefer content that takes 7 minutes or less to read.