Reading Time Calculator
Estimate how long it takes to read a text based on word count and reading speed.
4.5 min
Reading time
| Reading time in minutes | 4.5 min |
| Read aloud (~150 wpm) | 6.7 min |
The reading time calculator tells you how long a text takes to read once you know its word count and your reading speed. It is handy for bloggers, students and anyone who wants to estimate reading time in advance.
How the calculator works and what it’s for▾
How reading time is calculated
Reading time is the word count divided by reading speed: minutes = words / words-per-minute. A 1,200-word article read at 240 wpm takes about five minutes.
The calculator also shows the read-aloud time at roughly 150 wpm, which is useful for podcast or video scripts.
What you enter and what you get
Enter the word count and your estimated reading speed in words per minute. You get the reading time in minutes plus an estimate for reading the text aloud.
If you do not know your own pace, you can use the adult average of roughly 200–250 words per minute.
Who benefits from it
Content creators can add an estimated reading time at the top of an article to improve the reading experience. Students can plan how much time to set aside for course material.
Speakers also use it to check whether a script fits the time they have available.
Tips for interpreting the result
Reading speed varies a lot with difficulty. Technical or foreign-language text is read more slowly than light content, so use a lower speed for demanding material.
The figure is an approximation: focus, fatigue and the number of images or tables all affect the real time.
🔄 Reviewed June 2026
Frequently asked questions
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