Reading Time Calculator
Estimate how long a piece of text takes to read or to say aloud, from its word count and a reading speed you choose.
Paste some text to estimate how long it takes to read.
Your text is analyzed entirely in your browser. Nothing is sent to a server.
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How to use this tool
- 1Paste or type your text.
- 2Choose a reading speed — slow, average or fast.
- 3Read the estimated reading time and speaking time.
Features
- Estimates both reading time and time to read aloud.
- Three reading speeds, with the average adult pace of 238 words per minute as the default.
- Shows the word and character count too.
- Updates live as you edit.
- No account or sign-up required.
Privacy
Your text is analyzed entirely in your browser. It is never sent to a server.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to read 1,000 words?
At the average adult reading speed of about 238 words per minute, roughly four minutes. Slow readers take about seven, fast readers around three.
How is reading time calculated?
The word count divided by the words-per-minute speed you choose. Nothing accounts for images, tables or difficult vocabulary, so treat it as an estimate.
How long does a speech take?
Speaking is slower than reading — around 130–150 words per minute for a comfortable presentation pace. The speaking time here uses 150 words per minute.
What is reading time used for?
Blog posts often show a reading time to help visitors decide whether to start reading. It’s also useful for timing speeches and scripts.