What is the average reading speed?
The average adult reads at about 238 words per minute (wpm) for non-fiction and 200 wpm for fiction. Speed readers can achieve 400–600 wpm with comprehension.
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Free Reading Time Calculator | 1ClickTools
Instantly calculate how long it takes to read any text. Paste your article or essay and get reading time by slow, average, fast, and speed readers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is reading time calculated?
Reading time = Total words ÷ Words per minute. For example, a 1,000-word article at 238 wpm takes about 4.2 minutes to read.
What WPM should I use for blog posts?
Use the Average Reader preset (238 wpm) for general blog audience estimates. This is the industry standard used by Medium and similar platforms.
Does text formatting affect reading time?
This tool counts plain text words only. Code blocks, tables, and images are not factored in, so actual reading time for technical articles may be longer.
Is my text stored or uploaded?
No. All processing is done locally in your browser. Your text never leaves your device.
How accurate is this reading time calculator tool?
All processing runs entirely in your browser using verified algorithms. Results are computed with full double-precision — no server-side rounding or data transmission occurs.