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Reading Time Calculator

Calculate how long it takes to read your content. Adjustable reading speed from 100-400 words per minute.

Your Text

0 words | 0 characters
Estimated Reading Time
0 sec
0 words @ 200 wpm
100 (slow)200 (average)300 (fast)400 (speed reader)

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How to Use This Tool

  1. 1Paste your article or blog post text
  2. 2See reading time calculated instantly
  3. 3Adjust the reading speed slider as needed
  4. 4Use the result to set expectations for readers

Pro Tips

Average adult reads 200-250 wpm

Most adults read at 200-250 words per minute for comprehension.

Technical content is slower

Complex topics reduce reading speed to 100-150 wpm as readers process information.

Ideal blog length

7-minute reads (1,500-2,000 words) often perform best for engagement.

Show reading time

Displaying reading time increases click-through rates on articles.

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Show Readers What They Are Getting Into

Reading time estimates have become standard on blogs for good reason. When someone sees 5 min read they can decide whether to start now or save it for later. This simple number increases both click-through rates and completion rates.

The calculation is straightforward: total words divided by reading speed. The average adult reads about 200 words per minute when reading for comprehension. Speed readers hit 400-600 wpm but retain less. Technical content drops people to 100-150 wpm.

What works best for engagement? The 7-minute article (roughly 1,500-1,800 words) hits a sweet spot. It is long enough to provide real value but short enough that readers commit to finishing. Anything over 10 minutes needs to be genuinely worth the time.

Displaying reading time also helps you as a writer. If your intro is taking 3 minutes to get to the point, readers will bounce. Knowing the time breakdown helps you frontload value and trim fat from your drafts.

This tool calculates reading time instantly as you write. Use it during editing to check pacing. If your conclusion takes 30 seconds and your setup takes 4 minutes, something is out of balance.

Key Features:

  • Instant calculation as you paste or type
  • Adjustable reading speed from 100-400 wpm
  • Based on average adult reading speed (200 wpm)
  • Shows minutes and seconds for precision
  • Helps set reader expectations on blogs
  • Useful for content planning and editing

Frequently Asked Questions

We divide your word count by words per minute (wpm). Default is 200 wpm, but you can adjust from 100-400.
Adults read 200-250 wpm on average. Speed readers can reach 400-700 wpm. Technical content slows reading to 100-150 wpm.
Yes! Studies show displaying reading time increases engagement. Readers like knowing the time commitment upfront.
For SEO: 1,500-2,500 words. For social sharing: 300-500 words. Match your content goals to the ideal length.
Medium found that showing reading time increased article completion rates. Readers commit more easily when they know what to expect. A 5-minute read feels achievable.
Yes. Dense technical writing drops reading speed to 100-150 wpm because readers need to process complex information. Add 50% more time for highly technical content.
The 7-minute read (about 1,600-1,800 words) consistently performs well for engagement. Long enough to provide value, short enough to finish in one sitting.
Break content with headers, images, and bullet points. These visual breaks create rest points that make long reads feel more manageable even without cutting words.

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