About reading time
This calculator estimates how long a piece of text takes to read silently and to read aloud, based on word count and a words-per-minute speed you can adjust. It also reports characters and sentences. It runs in your browser; nothing is uploaded.
How Reading Time works
The formula
Reading time = word count ÷ reading speed (words per minute). Silent reading for adults averages 200–250 wpm; reading aloud is slower, around 130 wpm. The calculator multiplies the result by 60 to show minutes and seconds.
Worked example
A 1,000-word article at 225 wpm: 1,000 ÷ 225 = 4.44 minutes ≈ 4 min 27 sec to read silently. Read aloud at 130 wpm it takes about 7 min 42 sec.
Common uses
- Estimate article reading time
- Time a speech or script
- Plan a presentation length
- Add "min read" to blog posts
- Check if content fits a time slot
- Compare reading and speaking time
- Gauge study time for a passage
- Set audiobook or podcast timing
Frequently asked questions
How is reading time calculated?
Word count divided by reading speed in words per minute, shown as minutes and seconds.
What is the average reading speed?
Adults read silently at about 200–250 words per minute; this tool defaults to 225.
How fast do people read aloud?
Around 130 words per minute, which the speaking-time figure uses.
Can I change the speed?
Yes — drag the slider to match your audience or your own pace.
Is my text uploaded?
No — it is counted in your browser.
Is it free?
Yes, completely free.