Reading time calculator
Calculate how long it takes to read an article, document, book chapter, or script from word count and reading speed. Free reading-time tool.
How the reading time calculator works
Enter a word count and a reading speed in words per minute. The tool divides the words by the speed. The large number is the time rounded up to the next whole minute, and the line under it gives the exact minutes and seconds. If you leave the speed empty, it uses 225 words per minute.
Reading time by length
| Words | At 225 words per minute | Typical piece |
|---|---|---|
| 500 | 3 minutes | Short blog post or email newsletter |
| 1,000 | 5 minutes | Standard blog post |
| 1,500 | 7 minutes | Long blog post |
| 2,000 | 9 minutes | Short essay or news feature |
| 5,000 | 23 minutes | Long article or short story |
Choosing a speed
Silent reading speeds vary a lot by person, language and text. Research reviews put the average for adult non-fiction readers at roughly 240 words per minute, so 200 to 250 is a reasonable range for planning. Dense or technical material is slower. Skimming is faster. Reading aloud is slower again: speeches and presentations are usually planned at around 125 to 150 words per minute.
To time your own reading, read a page you know the word count of, note the minutes, and divide. Enter that number as your speed.
Uses
- Writers and editors adding a “5 minute read” label to a post.
- Students planning how long an assigned reading will take.
- Speakers checking a script against a time slot: use a speed of 130 and compare the result with the slot.
To time a reading session, use the countdown timer. To fit reading around a due date, use the deadline countdown.
Count down to your deadline in Left
Questions
How long does it take to read 1,000 words?
About 4 to 5 minutes at 225 words per minute. At 200 words per minute it is 5 minutes, and at 250 it is 4 minutes.
What reading speed should I use?
For general planning, 200 to 250 words per minute. Use a lower number for dense or technical text, and time yourself for an accurate figure.
Why does the big number differ from the minutes and seconds?
The big number is rounded up to the next whole minute. The line under it shows the exact minutes and seconds.
Can I use it for a speech?
Yes, with a speaking speed of about 125 to 150 words per minute. Run a practice to find your own pace.
Start noticing what matters.
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Scan or search "Left" on the App Store.