Reading Time Calculator
Estimate how long any article, essay, or book takes to read. Enter a word count, pick a reading speed, and get an instant estimate.
Enter a word count to see estimated reading time.
Reading time = Word count ÷ Reading speed (wpm)
The average adult reads at 200–250 words per minute (wpm) for comfortable comprehension. Speed varies significantly based on content type: fiction at 250–300 wpm, non-fiction at 200 wpm, and technical material at 150–200 wpm.
This calculator uses word count as the primary input — you can paste a word count from your editor, CMS, or writing tool, or estimate based on typical lengths (a Tweet = 280 words, a short blog post = 500–800 words, a magazine article = 1,000–2,000 words).
How many words per page in a book?
A typical printed book page contains 250–300 words. A 300-page novel is approximately 75,000–90,000 words.
How long does it take to read 10,000 words?
At 200 wpm: 50 minutes. At 250 wpm: 40 minutes. At 150 wpm: approximately 67 minutes.
Can I use this for subtitles or scripts?
Yes. Scripts and subtitles are typically measured in words. A one-hour script averages 7,000–10,000 words at standard speaking pace.
Does this account for skimming?
No. This calculator assumes continuous reading. Skimming or scanning can reduce effective time by 30–50% for familiar content.