Enter a word count and your reading speed to get an estimated reading time in minutes and seconds.
Word count:
Reading speed (words per minute):
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How It Works
The calculator divides your word count by your reading speed in words per minute to get the estimated reading time.
How to Use This Tool
- Enter the word count of the text.
- Adjust the reading speed if you know your own pace, or leave the default of 200 words per minute.
- Click Calculate to see the estimated time.
Average adult silent reading speed is commonly cited around 200 to 250 words per minute, though it varies a lot by reader and content difficulty.
Did You Know?
- Dense technical or academic text is typically read more slowly than casual writing, even by the same reader.
- Many blogging and publishing platforms show an estimated reading time using a similar words-per-minute calculation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What reading speed should I use?
200 words per minute is a reasonable average default; if you know your own reading speed from a timed test, use that instead for a more personal estimate.
Does this account for images or complex layouts?
No, this is a simple word-count-based estimate and does not factor in time spent viewing images, charts, or other non-text elements.