Reading Time Calculator
Paste your text to see how long it takes to read silently and to speak aloud. Adjust the words-per-minute speeds to match your audience, then copy the summary.
How to estimate reading time
- Paste or type your text into the box.
- Set the reading and speaking words-per-minute if the defaults do not fit.
- Read the live word, character, and sentence counts plus both time estimates.
- Copy the summary to share or save.
Examples
A short paragraph
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. It was a calm morning, and the world felt unhurried.
19 words, 2 sentences. Reading time about 5 sec at 238 wpm, speaking time about 9 sec at 130 wpm.
Frequently asked questions
What reading speed should I use?
The default is 238 words per minute, a common average for adult silent reading. Slow it down for dense or technical material and speed it up for light text.
Why is the speaking estimate slower than reading?
People speak more slowly than they read. The default speaking speed is 130 words per minute, which suits clear narration, podcasts, and presentations.
How is reading time calculated?
Time equals word count divided by words per minute, converted to seconds and rounded up. So 476 words at 238 words per minute is about 2 minutes.
How are sentences counted?
The tool counts runs of text ending in a period, exclamation mark, or question mark. It is a fast heuristic, so abbreviations may shift the total slightly.
Is my text private?
Yes. Everything runs in your browser and nothing is uploaded.
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