Reading Time Calculator

Estimate how long an article takes to read or speak aloud.

Your text

Reading speed225 wpm

225 words per minute is a common average for adult silent reading.

Start typing above. Everything is counted in your browser — nothing is uploaded.

What does Reading Time Calculator do?

Work out reading time from a word count or a pasted article, with an adjustable words-per-minute rate. It also gives speaking time for presentations and video scripts, which runs considerably slower than silent reading.

How to Use Reading Time Calculator

1
Paste your textOr switch to word-count mode and type the number.
2
Set the reading speed225 wpm is a reasonable default for general prose.
3
Read both estimatesReading time and speaking time are shown separately.

Key Features

Reading time at an adjustable words-per-minute rate
Speaking time for presentations, podcasts and video scripts
Presets for slow, average and fast readers
Enter a word count directly if you do not have the text to hand
Copy-ready "X min read" label for a blog post

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average reading speed?

Around 200–250 words per minute for adults reading general prose silently. Technical or unfamiliar material drops to 100–150. Skimming can exceed 400, but comprehension falls sharply.

How long is a 5 minute speech?

Roughly 600–750 words at a comfortable speaking pace of 130–150 words per minute. Deliberate delivery with pauses runs slower — aim for the lower end when presenting to a live audience.

Why is speaking so much slower than reading?

Speech is limited by articulation, breathing and pauses. Reading is limited only by comprehension. That is why a script that takes two minutes to read can take four minutes to deliver.

Should I show reading time on my blog?

Many readers find it helpful for deciding whether to start now or save for later. It is not a ranking factor, but it can reduce the number of people who bounce because they misjudged the length.