Reading Time
Paste any text and instantly see how long it takes to read, word count, character count, and speaking time.
How is reading time calculated?
Reading time is calculated by dividing total word count by reading speed in words per minute (wpm). Research shows the average adult reads 200–250 wpm for general content, with a median of 238 wpm.
Speaking Time = Word Count ÷ 130 wpm (avg presentation speed)
Example: 1,000 words ÷ 238 wpm ≈ 4 min 12 sec
| Reader type | Speed (wpm) | 1,000 words | 5,000 words |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slow / careful | 150 wpm | 6 min 40s | 33 min |
| Average adult | 238 wpm | 4 min 12s | 21 min |
| Fast reader | 400 wpm | 2 min 30s | 12 min |
| Speed reader | 700 wpm | 1 min 26s | 7 min |
| Speaker/presenter | 130 wpm | 7 min 42s | 38 min |
Ideal blog posts are 1,500–2,500 words (6–10 min read). Long-form SEO content often targets 2,000+ words. Know your reading time before publishing.
A 5-minute speech ≈ 650 words at 130 wpm. A 10-minute TEDx talk ≈ 1,300 words. Use speaking time to prepare perfectly.
An average novel has 80,000 words — about 5.6 hours at 238 wpm. Non-fiction averages 60,000 words. Use this to plan your reading list.
The sweet spot for professional emails is 50–125 words (under 30 seconds). Longer emails see lower response rates.