Reading Time Calculator
Estimate reading time at any words-per-minute speed. Also reverse-calculates words for a target time.
Quick answer: Estimate reading time at any words-per-minute speed. Also reverse-calculates words for a target time.
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Frequently asked questions
- How do you calculate reading time?
- Reading time = word count ÷ words per minute. We default to 238 WPM (the average for adult silent reading) but you can adjust the slider for kids, skimmers or technical readers.
- What is the average reading speed (WPM)?
- Adults silently read at about 238 WPM on average. Skimmers reach 400+, careful readers slow to 150, and children read at 100–180 depending on age.
- How accurate are reading time estimates?
- Within about ±20% for prose. Lists, code blocks and dense technical content read slower; familiar topics read faster. Use the slider to model your specific audience.
- Should reading time include headings and lists?
- Yes — they're text and they take time to read. The calculator counts every word in the text you paste.
- What reading speed should I use for kids?
- Roughly 100 WPM for ages 6–8, 150 WPM for 9–12, and 200 WPM for teens. Adjust the slider to match your audience.
- How do I add reading time to my blog?
- Calculate the time here, then add it to the post intro ("5 min read"). For automation, most CMS platforms have a plugin that does this automatically.
- What's a good reading time for an article?
- Blog posts: 4–7 minutes. Long-form essays: 10–15 minutes. Newsletters: under 3 minutes. Match the length to the depth your audience expects.
- Does reading time affect SEO?
- Indirectly. Longer dwell time correlates with higher rankings, and showing reading time helps users decide to start reading — both improve engagement signals.
- Can I calculate reading time for a PDF?
- Yes. Open the PDF, copy the text, and paste it here. The calculator handles any plain-text input.
- How many words is a 3-minute read?
- About 715 words at 238 WPM. Use Reverse mode and type 3 — the tool tells you the target word count for your chosen reading speed.