Reading Time Calculator
Paste any article, blog post or text to find out exactly how long it takes to read at different reading speeds.
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About This Tool
What it does
Calculates how long it takes to read any piece of text based on average adult reading speed of 200-250 words per minute.
Who it's for
Bloggers, content marketers, teachers, newsletter writers and anyone who needs to estimate reading time before publishing.
Your privacy
Your text never leaves your browser. Nothing is transmitted to any server or stored anywhere.
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Method, limits and privacy
This is a text-only estimate, not a prediction for a specific reader. It uses 238 WPM as the central non-fiction reference and 175/300 WPM to show a practical range; all displayed minute values round up.
Sources reviewed 23 June 2026: Reading-speed meta-analysis · Unicode UAX #29
Frequently Asked Questions
How is reading time calculated?
The Unicode-aware word count is divided by 238 words per minute for the central estimate, 175 for the slower reference and 300 for the faster reference. Each displayed value rounds up to whole minutes, with results below one minute shown as less than one minute.
Why use 238 words per minute?
A 2019 meta-analysis reported a 238 words-per-minute mean for silent adult reading of English non-fiction, with substantial variation between people and texts.
Does the estimate include images, code, audio or video?
No. It uses text words only. Visual inspection, interaction, technical difficulty, accessibility needs and unfamiliar language can add time.
How are words counted?
The tool uses Unicode-aware word segmentation where supported and a Unicode regular-expression fallback.
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