Reading Time Calculator

How to do it

1. 1
   Fill in the boxes

   Type your numbers or pick the options you need.

2. 2
   See the result

   The answer updates right away as you change a value.

3. 3
   Use it

   Copy the result or note it down. Nothing is sent anywhere.

About this tool

Paste an article, speech or essay and set your reading speed. The tool counts the words and estimates the reading time and the speaking time. The average adult reads about 200 to 250 words a minute and speaks about 130.

For writers

Blog readers like to know the time before they start. A 1,000 word post takes about five minutes to read.

For speakers

Speech time depends on pauses and style. Use the speaking estimate to fit a talk in a time slot, and add a margin for questions.

Changing the speed

Technical text is read more slowly; enter 150 or 180 words a minute for that.

Tips for best results

Check every box before you rely on a result, because one wrong digit changes the whole answer. Use the exact figures from your payslip, bill, certificate or contract, and keep a note of the date you calculated. Rates, thresholds and rules change from time to time, so for tax, fees and legal matters treat the output as an estimate and confirm with the official source named on this page. You can run as many scenarios as you like; nothing is saved or sent, and refreshing the page clears the boxes.