Reading Time Calculator
Estimate reading and speaking time for any text at your chosen speed.
- Free
- Real-time
- Runs locally
Speed
Reading speed (words per minute)
Speaking speed (words per minute)
Reading time
0:00
200 wpm
Speaking time
0:00
130 wpm
Words
0
Read label
0 min
Rounded up
At other speeds
| Pace | WPM | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Skimming | 450 | 0 sec |
| Fast reader | 300 | 0 sec |
| Average reader | 200 | 0 sec |
| Slow reader | 150 | 0 sec |
| Fast speech | 160 | 0 sec |
| Presentation pace | 130 | 0 sec |
| Slow, clear speech | 100 | 0 sec |
Label for your post
Plan by time
- Reading at 200 wpm
- 1,000 words
- Speaking at 130 wpm
- 650 words
Find out how long your article, essay, speech or video script takes to read silently and to say out loud. Paste the text and get both times instantly, down to the second, at an average reading speed of 200 words per minute and a speaking pace of 130.
Change either speed to match your audience, add the number of images in a blog post, and copy a ready-made “5 min read” label. Planning a talk instead? Enter the minutes you have and see how many words fit. Nothing you paste leaves your browser.
How to calculate reading time
- STEP 01
Paste your text
Paste or type the text. Word count, reading time and speaking time update as you type.
- STEP 02
Set the speeds
Pick a slow, average or fast reading and speaking speed, or enter your own words per minute.
- STEP 03
Use the results
Copy the “min read” label, compare times at other speeds, or plan how many words fit in a time slot.
Features
Reading and speaking time
Silent reading time and read-aloud time side by side, shown to the second.
Adjustable speed
Presets for slow, average and fast readers and speakers, or any custom words-per-minute value.
Images included
Add the number of images in an article to include the time readers spend looking at them.
“Min read” label
Get a blog-ready label such as “4 min read”, rounded up, and copy it with one click.
Speed comparison
See how long the same text takes for skimmers, slow readers, and fast or slow speakers.
Plan by time
Enter a time limit to see how many words fit, ideal for speeches, podcasts and video scripts.
How reading time is calculated
Reading time = number of words ÷ words per minute. A 1,000-word article at 200 words per minute takes 5 minutes. Words are counted the same way as in our Word Counter, so punctuation and emoji are never counted as words.
Speaking is slower than silent reading. Presentations and narration are usually delivered at around 120–150 words per minute, while silent reading for adults is commonly estimated at 200–250. Technical or unfamiliar material is read more slowly, so pick a lower speed for it.
Frequently asked questions
What reading speed should I use?
200 words per minute is a common, slightly conservative average for adults reading on screen. Use 150 for complex or technical content and 250–300 for light, familiar reading.
How long does it take to read 1,000 words?
About 5 minutes at 200 words per minute, or roughly 7 minutes 42 seconds if read aloud at 130 words per minute.
How many words is a 5-minute speech?
About 650 words at a typical presentation pace of 130 words per minute. Use “Plan by time” to calculate it for any length and speed.
How are images counted?
Each image adds viewing time to the reading time: 12 seconds for the first, one second less for each next image, and at least 3 seconds per image. Images do not change the speaking time.
Why is the “min read” label higher than the exact time?
The label rounds up to the next whole minute, so 3 minutes 10 seconds becomes “4 min read”, and any text shows at least 1 minute.
Is my text uploaded?
No. Words are counted in your browser, and long texts are processed in a local background thread.