Reading Time Calculator

How reading time is calculated

Reading time is simply the word count divided by a reading speed. Silent reading of general web content averages around 200–250 words per minute, while reading aloud is much slower at roughly 120–150 words per minute — which is why a five-minute article takes nearly nine minutes to narrate.

Choosing a pace

• 150 wpm — dense, technical or unfamiliar material.
• 225 wpm — the usual default for blog posts and news.
• 300 wpm — skimming familiar content.
• 130 wpm — podcast, video script or presentation delivery.

Why publishers show it

A visible “4 min read” label sets expectations and measurably increases the number of readers who start an article. Adding one to your posts costs nothing and helps readers decide whether to read now or save for later.