A reading time calculator tells you how long your text takes to read. Paste your text and this free tool gives you the word count, the reading time at an average pace, and the speaking time for a script or video, in seconds. It runs in your browser and stores nothing.
How reading time is worked out
This tool counts your words and divides by an average silent reading speed of about 220 words a minute, and an average speaking speed of about 130 words a minute for the speaking time. Real speeds vary, so treat these as a close estimate for planning a post, an email or a script.
Why reading time matters
Showing an estimated reading time sets expectations and can lift how many people start and finish a piece. For video and audio, the speaking time helps you plan a script to fit a slot, so you write to length instead of cutting at the end.
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Frequently asked questions
How is reading time calculated?
By counting the words and dividing by an average reading speed of about 220 words a minute. This tool does it instantly from any text you paste.
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What is the average reading speed?
Most adults read silently at about 200 to 250 words a minute. This tool uses 220 as a middle estimate. Speaking aloud is slower, around 130 words a minute, which is why the speaking time is longer.
Does this reading time calculator store my text?
No. It runs entirely in your browser and counts your text on the spot, so nothing is sent anywhere or saved.
How long should a blog post take to read?
It depends on the topic, but many popular posts sit around 4 to 7 minutes of reading time. Use the tool to check yours and trim anything that pads the time without adding value.
Can I use this to time a speech or video script?
Yes. The speaking time estimate uses about 130 words a minute, which suits a natural speaking pace, so you can write a script to fit a specific slot.
