Reading Time Calculator
Estimate how long your text takes to read or say aloud. Set words per minute, use slow, average or fast presets and see an approximate page count.
How to use Reading Time Calculator
- 1Paste or type your text.
- 2Pick a reading speed preset or enter your own words per minute.
- 3Read the reading time, speaking time and approximate pages.
What makes it better
- Reading and speaking time side by side
- Slow (150), average (238) and fast (300) presets
- Adjustable words per minute for both
- Page estimate for single and double spacing
About Reading Time Calculator
Paste an article, speech or script and the Reading Time Calculator estimates how long it takes to read silently and to speak aloud. The defaults are 238 words per minute for reading and 150 for speaking; pick a slow, average or fast preset or type your own speed. It also gives a rough page count.
Common uses
- Add a “5 min read” label to a blog post.
- Time a presentation, toast or video voice-over before you rehearse it.
- Check that a newsletter can be read in a lunch break.
- Estimate how many pages a draft will fill.
Example
Input
Paste an article, a speech or an email and see how long it takes to read silently or deliver out loud. Adjust the speed to match your audience. Paste an article, a speech or an email and see how long it takes to read silently or deliver out loud. Adjust the speed to match your audience. Paste an article, a speech or an email and see how long it takes to read silently or deliver out loud. Adjust the speed to match your audience. Paste an article, a speech or an email and see how long it takes to read silently or deliver out loud. Adjust the speed to match your audience. Paste an article, a speech or an email and see how long it takes to read silently or deliver out loud. Adjust the speed to match your audience. Paste an article, a speech or an email and see how long it takes to read silently or deliver out loud. Adjust the speed to match your audience. Paste an article, a speech or an email and see how long it takes to read silently or deliver out loud. Adjust the speed to match your audience. Paste an article, a speech or an email and see how long it takes to read silently or deliver out loud. Adjust the speed to match your audience. Paste an article, a speech or an email and see how long it takes to read silently or deliver out loud. Adjust the speed to match your audience. Paste an article, a speech or an email and see how long it takes to read silently or deliver out loud. Adjust the speed to match your audience.
Result
Words: 280 Reading time at 238 wpm: 1 min 11 sec Speaking time at 150 wpm: 1 min 52 sec Pages: 0.6 single-spaced, 1.1 double-spaced
Good to know
- The 238 wpm default is an average for adult silent reading of non-fiction. Reading speed varies a lot with topic, language and reader.
- Speaking time ignores pauses, slides, demos and questions, so add extra time for a live talk.
- Pages are estimated at about 500 words single-spaced and 250 double-spaced; real layouts differ with font size and margins.
Reading Time Calculator FAQ
How long does it take to read 1,000 words?
At the average silent reading speed of 238 words per minute, 1,000 words take about 4 minutes 12 seconds. At 150 words per minute it is closer to 6 and a half minutes.
What is the average speaking speed for a presentation?
Around 130 to 160 words per minute is typical for a presentation or audiobook, which is why the speaking default is 150. Change it to match your own pace.
How are the page estimates worked out?
Word count divided by 500 for a single-spaced page and by 250 for a double-spaced page, rounded to one decimal. It is a rule of thumb, not an exact page count.
Can I use a different reading speed?
Yes. Use the Slow, Average or Fast preset or type any speed. Speaking speed has its own box.