Reading Time Calculator
Estimate how long any text takes to read at common speeds, plus speaking time for scripts, podcasts, and presentations. Free, client-side, no signup.Reading speed
Paste or write some text to see how long it takes to read.
How this reading time calculator works
Paste your text or enter a word count, pick a reading speed, and the calculator estimates how long the text takes to read. Everything runs in your browser, so your text is never sent anywhere.You also get a speaking time estimate at 150 words per minute, useful for scripts, podcast episodes, voiceovers, and presentations.Word count to reading time
Quick reference for common word counts at a default reading speed of 225 words per minute and a speaking pace of 150 words per minute.| Word count | Reading time | Speaking time |
|---|---|---|
| 500 words | ~2 min | ~3 min |
| 1,000 words | ~4.5 min | ~6.5 min |
| 1,500 words | ~7 min | ~10 min |
| 2,500 words | ~11 min | ~17 min |
| 5,000 words | ~22 min | ~33 min |
| 10,000 words | ~45 min | ~1h 7m |
Which reading speed should you pick?
Reading speed depends on the reader, the difficulty of the content, and why they are reading. Match the speed to your audience with these common ranges.- 150 to 180 wpm: technical, academic, or dense material that readers work through slowly.
- 225 wpm: a safe default for general adult silent reading on medium-complexity text.
- 250 to 300 wpm: casual prose, lifestyle content, and news briefs.
- Most publishers default to 200 to 250 wpm for their 'X minute read' badges.
Reading time vs speaking time
Speaking time is always longer than silent reading time because speech includes pauses, breaths, and the physical work of articulation. The calculator estimates speaking time at 150 wpm, a pace commonly recommended for presentations and podcasts.- 120 wpm: deliberate, careful public speaking.
- 150 wpm: the recommended pace for presentations and podcasts.
- 180 to 200 wpm: typical conversational speech.