Reading Time Calculator
Enter the number of words and, if you know it, your reading speed in words per minute. You get the time it takes to read, in minutes and seconds.
Your numbers
How we calculate it
Reading time = number of words ÷ words per minute, written as hours, minutes and seconds. At the default speed of 238 words per minute, 1,500 words take 1,500 ÷ 238 = 6.3 minutes, which is 6 minutes 18 seconds.
The default of 238 words per minute is an average. A published review of reading studies found about 238 words per minute for adults reading non-fiction silently, and a little more for fiction. People differ a lot, so replace it with your own speed if you know it.
Assumptions and limits
- Speed changes with the material. Technical or unfamiliar text is read more slowly than a light article, and reading aloud is slower than reading silently.
- The word count must be the words in the text, not the pages.
- Seconds are rounded to the nearest whole second.
Frequently asked questions
How fast is the average reader?
About 238 words per minute for silent reading of non-fiction by adults, according to a published review of studies. Individual speeds vary widely, so treat it as a rough guide.
How do I find my own reading speed?
Time yourself reading a passage of known length, then divide the words by the minutes you took. Do it with the kind of text you plan to read.
How long does a 2,000 word article take?
At 238 words per minute, about 8 minutes 24 seconds. At 200 words per minute it takes 10 minutes.
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Worked example (a fixed example using the starting numbers, it does not change as you type)
Inputs: Number of words = 1500; Reading speed (words per minute) = 238.
- Reading time 6 min 18 sec
- Total minutes 6.30
- Words per minute used 238
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