Reading Time Estimator
Find out how long it takes to read any text, article or book at different reading speeds.
Popular books reading time reference
Frequently asked questions
What is an average reading speed?
Most adults read silently at 200–250 words per minute. College students average around 300 wpm. Children learning to read typically manage 100–150 wpm. Speed readers can achieve 400–700+ wpm with training.
Does reading speed affect comprehension?
Yes. At very high speeds (500+ wpm), comprehension typically drops. The "sweet spot" for most people balancing speed and retention is 200–300 wpm depending on text complexity.
How long is the average novel?
Most published novels are 70,000–100,000 words. At 200 wpm reading speed, that is 5.8–8.3 hours of reading time.
How many pages is a 1,000-word article?
At standard formatting (12pt font, double-spaced), roughly 4 pages. Single-spaced, about 2 pages. This estimator uses 250 words per page for the book estimator.
How can I improve my reading speed?
Practice chunking (reading groups of words instead of one at a time), reduce subvocalisation (mentally "saying" words), and use a pointer. Apps like Spreeder use RSVP (Rapid Serial Visual Presentation) to push speeds above 500 wpm.