Reading Time Calculator
Paste your text to see how long it takes to read, plus speaking time, word count, and more. Adjust the reading speed and watch the numbers update live. Free, no signup, nothing uploaded.
How to calculate reading time
Paste Your Text
Type or paste your article, script, or post into the box. The numbers update as you type.
Set The Reading Speed
Use the slider or pick Slow, Average, or Fast to match your audience. Average is about 238 words per minute.
Read The Results
See the reading time and speaking time, plus word, character, sentence, and paragraph counts. Copy the summary if you need it.
Set the Right Expectation for Your Readers
Reading time is the estimated number of minutes it takes an average person to read a piece of text. It is worked out from the word count and a typical reading speed, usually around 238 words per minute for an adult reading silently. That small label, a four minute read, helps people decide to start, and it tends to improve how many of them finish.
This calculator does the math for you and a bit more. Paste any text and you get the reading time, a slower speaking time for anyone reading aloud, and a full breakdown of words, characters, sentences, and paragraphs. The reading speed is adjustable, so you can model a quick skimmer or a careful reader, and every figure updates the moment you change the text.
It is handy for bloggers adding a read time badge, students checking an essay against a limit, and presenters timing a script. Everything runs in your browser, so nothing you paste is sent anywhere.
Why Use Our Reading Time Calculator?
Reading And Speaking Time
Get both at once. Reading time for readers and a slower speaking time for presenters and voice work.
Adjustable Speed
Slide from 100 to 500 words per minute, or pick Slow, Average, or Fast to match your readers.
Live As You Type
Every number updates instantly while you edit, so you can trim text to hit a target length.
Full Word Stats
Words, characters with and without spaces, sentences, and paragraphs, all in one view.
Copy The Summary
Grab a clean text summary of every figure with one click for your notes or a brief.
Stays In Your Browser
Your text is never uploaded. Everything is counted on your device, so private drafts stay private.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about reading time.
How is reading time calculated?
Reading time is the word count divided by a reading speed in words per minute. This tool uses 238 words per minute by default, a common average for adults reading silently, and you can change the speed with the slider to match your audience.
What is the average reading speed?
For adults reading silently, the average is roughly 238 words per minute, though it varies with the difficulty of the text and the reader. Skimmers go faster, around 350, while careful or new readers are slower, around 150. The slider lets you pick the speed that fits.
What is the difference between reading time and speaking time?
Reading time assumes silent reading and is faster. Speaking time assumes reading aloud, which is slower because we talk more slowly than we read, around 130 words per minute. Use speaking time for presentations, scripts, and voice overs.
How many words is a 5 minute read?
At the default 238 words per minute, a 5 minute read is about 1,190 words. At a slower 150 words per minute it is closer to 750 words, and at a fast 350 it is about 1,750. Reading speed makes a big difference, which is why the calculator lets you set it.
Does this tool send my text anywhere?
No. The text you paste is counted entirely in your browser. Nothing is uploaded, logged, or stored on a server, so even unpublished drafts stay private on your device.
Is this reading time calculator free?
Yes, it is completely free with no signup and no limits. Everything runs on your device.