Reading Time Calculator
Find out how long a text takes to read silently or to deliver aloud. Use it for blog posts, speeches, video scripts and presentations.
Your text stays in this browser tab. Nothing is uploaded, saved or logged.
How the Reading Time Calculator works
The time is the word count divided by a words-per-minute speed. The default reading speed is 238 words per minute, the average for adult silent reading of non-fiction in a 2019 review of 190 studies. Fiction is a little faster, around 260, and technical or unfamiliar material is slower.
Speaking time defaults to 150 words per minute, in the middle of the 130–170 range typical for presentations and audiobooks. A calm, deliberate talk is closer to 120, an energetic one closer to 180. Change either speed to match your situation and the estimate updates immediately.
Words are counted the same way as in the Word Counter. The speeds are calibrated for languages written with spaces; for Chinese or Japanese, characters per minute is the usual measure, so treat the result as rough.
How to use it
- Paste your text.
- Set the reading speed and the speaking speed if the defaults do not suit your audience.
- Read the estimated reading time and speaking time.
Example
A longer sample and its estimated reading and speaking times at the default speeds.
Text
Good tools do one job well. They load fast, ask for nothing, and never keep your text. That is the idea here: paste, read the numbers, move on. Good tools do one job well. They load fast, ask for nothing, and never keep your text. That is the idea here: paste, read the numbers, move on. Good tools do one job well. They load fast, ask for nothing, and never keep your text. That is the idea here: paste, read the numbers, move on. Good tools do one job well. They load fast, ask for nothing, and never keep your text. That is the idea here: paste, read the numbers, move on. Good tools do one job well. They load fast, ask for nothing, and never keep your text. That is the idea here: paste, read the numbers, move on. Good tools do one job well. They load fast, ask for nothing, and never keep your text. That is the idea here: paste, read the numbers, move on. Good tools do one job well. They load fast, ask for nothing, and never keep your text. That is the idea here: paste, read the numbers, move on. Good tools do one job well. They load fast, ask for nothing, and never keep your text. That is the idea here: paste, read the numbers, move on. Good tools do one job well. They load fast, ask for nothing, and never keep your text. That is the idea here: paste, read the numbers, move on. Good tools do one job well. They load fast, ask for nothing, and never keep your text. That is the idea here: paste, read the numbers, move on. Good tools do one job well. They load fast, ask for nothing, and never keep your text. That is the idea here: paste, read the numbers, move on. Good tools do one job well. They load fast, ask for nothing, and never keep your text. That is the idea here: paste, read the numbers, move on.
Result
- Words
- 336
- Reading time
- 1 min 25 sec
- Speaking time
- 2 min 14 sec
Frequently asked questions
How many words is a 5-minute speech?
At 150 words per minute, a 5-minute speech is about 750 words. Leave room for pauses and slides: if you plan to stop often, aim for 600 to 700.
Does reading time include images or code?
No. Only the words you paste are counted. If your page has images, tables or code blocks, add time for them yourself.
Why do blogs show different reading times for the same article?
Sites choose their own speed, commonly between 200 and 265 words per minute. This tool shows its assumption and lets you change it, so you can match the number your site displays.