How reading time is calculated
Reading speed is measured in words per minute (wpm). An average adult reads silently at about 200 wpm. Careful reading of difficult material drops to around 150 wpm, and skimming light text can reach 250 wpm or more. Speaking is slower: a clear presentation pace is about 130 wpm, which is why a 1,300-word script makes roughly a 10-minute talk. This tool shows all four figures at once, because the same text lives very different lives on the page and on the stage.
How to use it
- Paste your text. The word count and all four times update as you type.
- Planning a video or speech? Use the speaking time — and rehearse once, because pauses and emphasis add minutes.
- Publishing an article? The reading time is the "x min read" figure readers expect to see near the title.
Frequently asked questions
Why do other sites give a different time for the same text?
They assume a different speed. This tool shows its speeds openly (150 / 200 / 250 / 130 wpm), so you can see exactly where each figure comes from.
Does it count words the same way as the Word Counter?
Yes — and if you need sentences, paragraphs and your most-used words too, the Word Counter shows them all live.