Reading Time Calculator
Estimate how long it takes to read or speak your text.
What is reading time?
Reading time is an estimate of how long it takes an average reader to finish a piece of content. It's calculated by dividing total words by average reading speed.
Average reading speeds
- 200-250 wpm: Average adult, casual reading
- 100-150 wpm: Technical content, second language
- 300+ wpm: Speed readers, skimmers
- 150 wpm: Typical speaking pace
Privacy
Everything runs in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is reading time calculated?
Reading time = total words ÷ reading speed. The average adult reads at 200-250 words per minute. Technical content is slower (130-150 wpm).
What's a good reading time for a blog post?
5-10 minutes is ideal for most blogs. Shorter posts (2-4 min) work for news. Longer posts (15-20 min) work for in-depth guides.
Why does reading time matter?
It sets reader expectations, reduces bounce rate, and helps with SEO (Google sometimes shows 'X min read' in results).
Does it count images or code blocks?
No, only text. Images and code add time, but the standard formula doesn't include them.
Is it free?
Yes, completely free.