Reading Time Calculator
Estimate how long your text takes to read — paste an article, script or speech and get the reading time from its word count, instantly. Useful for blogs, videos and presentations.
Minutes are the unit readers think in
Nobody decides to read "1,400 words" — they decide to spend six minutes. A reading time estimate translates the word counter output into the currency your audience actually budgets. Paste a draft and the estimate appears with the count: at the standard ~200 words per minute, a 1,000-word article is a five-minute read, a 2,400-word guide is twelve.
Scripts and speeches run slower
Spoken delivery is not silent reading. Presenters and voiceover run at roughly 130–160 words per minute once pauses and emphasis are included, so the same 1,000 words become six to seven minutes on stage. If you are timing a talk, divide your word count by 150 and rehearse against that — then check the rhythm with the sentence counter, since a wall of long sentences is where speakers stumble.
Using the estimate as an editor
Reading time is a trimming tool. Aimed at five minutes but sitting on nine? The estimate tells you how much must go — about 800 words — which turns a vague "shorten this" into a concrete edit. Publishers also display the estimate on the article itself; readers who know the commitment upfront are more likely to finish.
Private by design
Your text is counted locally in your browser. Unpublished drafts stay unpublished — nothing is sent anywhere.
Frequently asked questions
How is reading time calculated?
Word count divided by an average reading speed. This tool uses about 200 words per minute — a middle estimate for adults reading general English prose on a screen.
Reading aloud vs silent reading — same speed?
No. Speaking pace is slower, roughly 130–160 words per minute, which is why a 800-word script is about 5–6 minutes aloud but only ~4 minutes read silently. For speeches and video scripts, divide by 150 for a safer estimate.
What reading time do blog readers prefer?
It depends on intent, but many publishers target 5–8 minutes for substantive articles. Displaying the estimate up front measurably helps readers commit — it sets an honest expectation before the first scroll.
Does reading speed vary a lot?
Yes: 150–250 wpm covers most adults, with technical material read slower and familiar topics faster. Treat any single estimate as the middle of a range, not a promise.
Is my text uploaded?
No. The count and estimate are computed in your browser. Your draft never leaves your device.
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