Estimate reading and speaking time
Paste your text, choose a speed, and get a reading and speaking time estimate.
- Words
- 0
- Reading time
- 0
- Speaking time
- 0
Accepted input and counting rule
Paste any text. Words are groups of characters separated by spaces or line breaks. Text in languages written without spaces will be undercounted.
How to use this tool
- Paste your article or script.
- Set your reading speed. Many people read ordinary web text at roughly 200 to 250 words per minute; the box is yours to change.
- Optionally change the speaking speed for a spoken version. 130 wpm is a relaxed pace for presentations.
- Read the estimates and press Copy result to copy a one-line summary.
Examples
1,000 words at 200 wpm: 5 min 0 s.
1,500 words at 238 wpm: 1,500 ÷ 238 = 6.30 minutes, shown as 6 min 18 s.
600 words spoken at 130 wpm: 4 min 37 s (600 ÷ 130 × 60 = 277 seconds, rounded).
How the maths works
Seconds = words ÷ words per minute × 60, rounded to the nearest second, then split into minutes and seconds.
Why it is only an estimate
Real reading speed depends on the person, familiarity with the topic, difficulty, language, screen size and layout. Tables, code and images slow people down, and skimmers read faster. Treat the figure as a guide for planning, not a promise.
Privacy
Text you type or paste is handled by JavaScript in your browser and is not sent anywhere by the tool code. The page is served by a web server that keeps ordinary access logs; see the Privacy Policy.
Examples with exact results
| Words | Speed | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 500 | 200 wpm reading | 2 min 30 s |
| 500 | 250 wpm reading | 2 min 0 s |
| 500 | 130 wpm speaking | 3 min 51 s |
| 3,000 | 238 wpm reading | 12 min 36 s |
The last row works out as 3,000 ÷ 238 = 12.605 minutes, or about 756 seconds, which rounds to 12 minutes 36 seconds. The tool rounds to the nearest whole second.
Choosing a reading speed
- Use a slower speed such as 150 to 180 for technical, legal or unfamiliar material and for readers who may not be reading in their first language.
- Use around 200 to 250 for ordinary articles and blog posts.
- Use a faster value only if you know your audience skims.
You can measure your own speed by timing yourself reading a passage whose words you have counted, then dividing words by minutes.
Speaking time
The speaking estimate starts at 130 words per minute, which is a relaxed presentation pace. It does not include pauses for slides, demonstrations or questions. For a live talk, add a margin and rehearse once with a timer.
Using the copy button
The Copy result button puts a one-line summary on your clipboard, in the form “1500 words · reading 7 min 30 s · speaking 11 min 32 s”, with your own numbers. You can paste it into notes or a content plan. If your browser blocks clipboard access, the button says so, and you can write the figures down by hand.
Limits
- Words are counted as groups separated by spaces. Languages written without spaces will be counted incorrectly.
- Images, code, tables and videos are not included in the estimate.
- Speeds must be between 50 and 1,000 words per minute for reading, and between 50 and 500 for speaking.
- The estimate is a planning aid, not a promise. Real readers vary widely.
Troubleshooting
| What you see | Likely reason | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Dashes instead of times | A speed is outside the allowed range | Enter a valid number |
| Zero words | The text box is empty or only spaces | Paste your text |
| Time looks too low or high | The speed does not suit your audience | Adjust words per minute |
For more on choosing a speed and presenting the estimate, read how to estimate article reading time.
Frequently asked questions
What speed should I use?
200 to 250 wpm is a common range for ordinary text, but adjust it for your audience.
Do images count?
No. Only words are counted.
Is the estimate exact?
No. Actual speed varies from reader to reader.