Reading Time Calculator
Estimate how long a text takes to read or say out loud. Paste the text or enter a word count, and choose or set a words-per-minute speed.
0 sec
Enter text or a word count.
0Words
0Seconds
0Words per minute
Time = words ÷ words per minute × 60 seconds
How to use the Reading Time Calculator
- Paste text, or leave the box empty and type a word count.
- Choose a speed or enter your own.
- Read the time in minutes and seconds.
- Copy the result or use the "about N min read" label.
Features and benefits
- Works from pasted text or a word count.
- Speeds for silent reading (238 wpm), reading aloud (183 wpm), slow (150) and fast (300), or custom 20 to 1,500 wpm.
- Exact time in minutes and seconds plus a rounded-up "min read" label.
- Shows the formula used.
Examples
A long article
- Input
- 1,500 words at 238 words per minute
- Result
- 6 min 18 sec, shown as "about 7 min read".
A video script read aloud
- Input
- 900 words at 183 words per minute
- Result
- 4 min 55 sec.
Limits and restrictions
- Default speeds are research averages for adults reading English (Brysbaert, 2019); people vary a lot.
- Technical text, images, tables and code take longer and are not included.
- Custom speeds below 20 or above 1,500 words per minute are not accepted.
Tips and best practices
- Time yourself reading a script out loud once, then use your own speed.
- Round up for labels so readers are not surprised.
- For talks, leave time for pauses and slides.
- Use the Word Counter to see reading and speaking time side by side.
Frequently asked questions
What speed should I use for a video script?
Around 150 to 180 words per minute is typical for clear speech. Time a test read to find yours.
Why do other sites say 200 words per minute?
200 is a common round number. A large review of adult readers found an average of 238 for silent reading of non-fiction.
Can I enter a word count without text?
Yes. Leave the text box empty and type the number of words.
How is the time rounded?
Seconds are rounded to the nearest second; the "min read" label rounds up to the next minute.
Does it count images?
No. Only words are counted.
Related tools
- Word CounterWords, characters, sentences, paragraphs and reading time as you type.
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- YouTube Description CounterCount against the 5,000-character limit and check your chapters.
- Character CounterCharacters with and without spaces, plus targets for popular limits.