Reading time calculator
Paste a post or script and see how long it takes to read, silently or aloud, at a speed you control.
Guide
How to use it
- Paste your text into the box.
- Pick Reading silently for articles and newsletters, Reading aloud for scripts and talks.
- Adjust the speed slider if your audience reads faster or slower than average.
- The time tile updates live, so you can cut to a target length as you edit.
Examples
Worked examples
About 5 minutes at the default 238 words per minute. That is the badge number readers expect to see on the post.
900 words aloud at 130 words per minute is nearly 7 minutes, too long for a room holding drinks. Cutting to 650 brings it to a crisp 5.
Creators speak faster than presenters. Set aloud mode to 160 words per minute and a 10 minute video needs about 1,600 words.
Method
How it works
Reading time is simply words divided by speed. The silent default of 238 words per minute comes from a 2019 review of 190 reading studies; the aloud default of 130 reflects a comfortable presentation pace with pauses. The slider lets you match your real audience, slower for technical material, faster for casual scrolling.
Everything runs in your browser and your text is never uploaded.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What reading speed should I assume?
238 words per minute is the average adult silent reading speed for non-fiction, from a 2019 review of 190 studies. Blogs often round to 200 to 265. Use slower speeds for technical material.
Why is reading aloud so much slower?
Comfortable speech runs at 120 to 150 words per minute, roughly half silent reading speed. The aloud setting defaults to 130, a natural presentation pace with pauses.
How do blogs show a 4 min read badge?
Word count divided by an assumed speed, exactly what this tool does. Medium, for example, uses 265 words per minute plus time for images.
Do images and code blocks change reading time?
Yes, readers pause on them. A common rule adds about 10 seconds per image. This tool counts only words, so add a margin for image-heavy pieces.
How many words is a 5 minute talk?
About 650 words at 130 words per minute. Leave 10 per cent unwritten for pauses and ad-libs and you will finish on time.
Is my text uploaded?
No. The count runs in your browser and your text never leaves your device.
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