Reading Time Calculator
Paste an article to estimate its reading time at slow, average and fast reading speeds, and get a ready-to-use minutes read label.
Your content
Reading time
At an average speed of 250 words per minute
Why show a reading time?
A reading time label tells visitors how much of their time an article will take before they commit. Readers who know a piece takes four minutes are more likely to start it, and less likely to bounce when they see a long scroll bar. Put the estimate near the headline, where people decide whether to read on.
How the estimate works
The calculator counts the words in your text and divides by a reading speed in words per minute. It shows three speeds:
- Slow, 200 words per minute: careful reading, technical content or readers working in a second language.
- Average, 250 words per minute: a common default for adult readers on screen, and the speed used for the main result.
- Fast, 300 words per minute: skimming or familiar topics.
Treat the result as an estimate. Images, tables, code and charts add time that a word count cannot capture, so round up for content that is dense or visual.
Frequently asked questions
Should I round the reading time?
Yes. Round to the nearest minute and use a simple label such as "3 min read" rather than "2 min 47 sec". The calculator suggests a label for you.
What length should a blog post be?
Long enough to fully answer the reader's question and no longer. Some topics need 600 words, others need 2,500. Match the depth to the search intent rather than a fixed target.
Is my text stored?
No. The calculation runs entirely in your browser.