Reading Time Calculator
How long a text takes to read, at your own pace or the measured average — and your words per minute.
Adult silent reading of non-fiction averages 238 words per minute, from Brysbaert's 2019 meta-analysis of 190 studies.
How the reading time calculator works
Adult silent reading of non-fiction averages 238 words per minute, from Brysbaert's 2019 meta-analysis of 190 studies. Fiction runs faster at around 260; technical material and study reading are much slower, often under 100.
Speed-reading claims of 1,000 words a minute and beyond do not survive comprehension testing. What the evidence shows is a trade: above roughly 400 wpm, comprehension falls off steeply, and most of what is sold as speed reading is skimming, which is a legitimate technique but a different one.
Enter a word count to get a time, or a word count and a time to measure your own rate.
Formula: minutes = words / words-per-minute
Worked examples
| Inputs | Reading time | Note |
|---|---|---|
| A 3,500-word article | 15 minutes | about 15 minutes |
| Measuring your own speed | 10 minutes | 350 wpm |
| A short post | 3 minutes | about 3 minutes |
FAQFrequently asked questions
How long does it take to read 3,500 words?
About 15 minutes at the adult average of 238 words per minute.
What is the average reading speed?
238 words per minute for adult silent reading of non-fiction, from a 2019 meta-analysis of 190 studies. Fiction runs a little faster.
Can I learn to read 1,000 words a minute?
Not with comprehension. Above roughly 400 wpm understanding falls off steeply; what is sold as speed reading is usually skimming.
How long to read aloud?
Slower — about 150 words a minute for clear speech, which is why a 3,500-word article takes over 20 minutes to narrate.
How many words is a page?
Roughly 500 for typical printed text, or 250 for a double-spaced manuscript page.
Where these figures come from
- Brysbaert (2019), Journal of Memory and Language — How many words do we read per minute? — the 238 wpm silent reading rate, from 190 studies
- Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency — the Australian higher education regulator
Last checked: September 2026. Reading and writing rates are from published meta-analyses, cited on the page.