Reading Time Calculator
Work out how long your text takes to read. Enter a word count or paste the text, then adjust the reading speed to match your audience.
4m 12s
Reading time at 238 wpm
238 words per minute · average is 238
At other speeds
1,000 wordsCommon lengths
Runs in your browser. Your text is never uploaded.
Reading time at a glance
| Words | At 238 wpm | At 200 wpm |
|---|---|---|
| 250 | 1m 3s | 1m 15s |
| 500 | 2m 6s | 2m 30s |
| 1,000 | 4m 12s | 5m |
| 1,500 | 6m 18s | 7m 30s |
| 2,000 | 8m 24s | 10m |
| 5,000 | 21m | 25m |
| 10,000 | 42m | 50m |
Writing to a reading time
If a brief asks for a “3 minute read”, multiply by the speed you expect your readers to have. At 238 words per minute that is about 715 words; at the more common publishing assumption of 200 it is 600. Between those two is a sensible target: around 650 words.
Reading time is a promise to the reader. If your badge says four minutes and the article takes nine, the badge has cost you trust. Erring slightly generous — quoting the slower estimate — is the safer choice.
Reading time is not speaking time
Reading aloud is far slower than reading silently: about 150 words per minute against 238. A 1,000-word article takes four minutes to read and nearly seven to present. If the text is going to be spoken, use thespeaking time calculator instead.
Frequently asked questions
What reading speed do you use?
How is reading time calculated?
Why do blogs say “5 min read” when the article is short?
Does reading speed vary by material?
Related tools
Related reading
Average Reading Speed
The average adult reads 238 words per minute silently and about 183 words per minute aloud. Here are the figures by age, material and purpose.
February 14, 2026
How Long Does It Take to Read 1,000 Words?
1,000 words takes about 4 minutes to read silently at an average adult reading speed of 238 words per minute. Here is what changes that.
February 10, 2026