Reading Time Calculator
The reading time calculator estimates how long a piece of text takes to read silently and to read aloud, based on a words-per-minute rate you can adjust. It also shows the word count and a suggested "X min read" label for your article.
Article text
Estimates
Your result will appear here.
Not sure where to start? Use Load example.
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How to use the Reading Time Calculator
- Paste the article, script or page copy you want to measure.
- Adjust the words-per-minute rates if your audience reads faster or slower than average.
- Read the silent reading time, the spoken time and the suggested article label.
Example
Input
A 1,200-word article
Output
Silent reading: about 5 min Read aloud: about 9 min Suggested label: 5 min read
Common use cases
- Adding an accurate "5 min read" badge to a blog post.
- Timing a presentation script or a video voice-over.
- Deciding whether an article should be split into two.
- Planning a newsletter so the total reading commitment stays reasonable.
Limitations and things to watch for
- The default silent rate of 238 words per minute reflects published averages for adults reading non-fiction English. Technical material with code samples reads considerably slower.
- Images, tables, code blocks and video are not accounted for — only the words you paste.
Frequently asked questions
What reading speed should I use?
The default 238 words per minute is a widely cited average for adults reading English non-fiction silently. Lower it to around 180 for dense technical writing and raise it for light content.
Why is the speaking time so much longer?
Speech is slower than silent reading. The default 140 words per minute reflects a clear presentation pace; conversational speech runs faster and formal narration slower.
How should I round the label?
The suggested label rounds up to the nearest whole minute, which is the convention most publishing platforms use, and never shows less than one minute.