Reading time calculator
How long your text takes to read or say out loud. Paste your text, or just enter a word count.
- Reading time
- 0 sec
- at 238 words per minute
- Speaking time
- 0 sec
- at 140 words per minute
- Words
- 0
Counted in your browser. Your text is never sent or stored.
How it works
How reading time is calculated
Reading time is simply the number of words divided by a reading pace. The default, 238 words per minute, is the average silent reading speed for adults reading non-fiction, from a 2019 review of 190 reading studies by psychologist Marc Brysbaert. Choose a slower pace for technical or academic writing and a faster one for light reading.
Speaking time works the same way. 140 words per minute is a comfortable pace for a speech or presentation: fast enough to stay engaging, slow enough to follow.
How long is a speech?
| Words | Speaking time (140 wpm) | Reading time (238 wpm) |
|---|---|---|
| 300 | About 2 minutes | About 1 minute |
| 700 | About 5 minutes | About 3 minutes |
| 1,000 | About 7 minutes | About 4 minutes |
| 1,500 | About 11 minutes | About 6 minutes |
| 2,000 | About 14 minutes | About 8 minutes |
| 3,000 | About 21 minutes | About 13 minutes |
Tips for timing a talk
- Read your text aloud once with a timer. Your own pace beats any average.
- Leave about 10% of your slot unused for pauses, laughter and slide changes.
- Nervous speakers speed up. If you're anxious, plan for the "Brisk" pace and slow down on purpose.
More tools
Other ways to measure your text
Word counterWords, sentences, paragraphs, reading time and keyword density. Character counterCheck your text against limits for posts, SEO titles, meta descriptions and SMS.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average reading speed?
For adults reading non-fiction silently in English, about 238 words per minute, according to a 2019 review of 190 studies. Fiction is read a little faster, and dense technical or academic text much slower.
How many words per minute do people speak?
A comfortable pace for a speech or presentation is about 130–150 words per minute. Conversation is often faster, and audiobook narrators typically read at around 150–160 words per minute.
How many words is a 5-minute speech?
About 700 words at an average speaking pace of 140 words per minute. Allow a little less if you plan to pause for effect, show slides or take questions.
How long does it take to read 1,000 words?
About 4 minutes at an average reading speed, 7 minutes when reading carefully, and just over 3 minutes when skimming quickly.
Should I show reading time on my blog?
Many readers like it: a short estimate at the top helps people decide whether to read now or save the article for later. Round to whole minutes and use an average pace of about 230–240 words per minute.