Estimate reading time. This free reading time calculator divides word count by reading speed for an accurate ‘minutes to read’, counts pasted text automatically, and shows speaking time too.
Your text
words
wpm
Enter a word count or paste your text. Average adult reading is about 238 words per minute; speaking aloud is slower, around 130 wpm.
Reading time
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Enter your text
Words
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Reading time
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Speaking time (~130 wpm)
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At your speed
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Reading time = word count ÷ reading speed. It’s an estimate — actual time varies with text difficulty, familiarity and whether you’re skimming or reading closely.
Use this free reading time calculator to estimate how long a text takes to read. Enter a word count or paste your text, pick a reading speed, and get the reading and speaking time.
What this reading time calculator does
A reading time calculator divides the word count by your reading speed to estimate minutes. It’s handy for blog “X min read” labels, study planning, speeches and content scripts.
The reading time formula
reading time = word count ÷ reading speed (wpm)
speaking time ≈ word count ÷ 130 wpm
So 1,500 words at an average 238 wpm takes about 6 minutes 18 seconds to read.
Typical reading speeds
Reader
Speed (wpm)
Slow / careful
~150
Average adult
~238
Fast
~300
Speed reading
400+
Speaking aloud
~130
Why estimate reading time?
Showing a “minutes to read” label sets expectations and can improve engagement. For talks and videos, the slower speaking rate matters more — a 1,500-word script takes far longer to say aloud than to read silently.
How to use the reading time calculator
Enter a word count or paste your text.
Choose a reading speed (or a custom one).
Read the reading and speaking time.
Reading Time FAQ
How do I calculate reading time?
Divide the word count by reading speed in words per minute. At an average 238 wpm, 1,500 words takes about 6 minutes 18 seconds.
What is the average reading speed?
Roughly 238 words per minute for silent adult reading. Careful reading is slower (~150 wpm) and skimming is faster.
How is speaking time different?
Speaking aloud is slower — around 130 wpm — so a script takes noticeably longer to say than to read silently.
Can I paste text to count the words?
Yes. Paste your text and the calculator counts the words automatically, then estimates the reading time.
Why does my reading time differ?
Difficulty, familiarity, layout and whether you skim or read closely all change the real time — the calculator gives a solid estimate.
Is the reading time calculator free?
Yes, this reading time calculator is completely free, needs no sign-up, and gives instant results in your browser.
