Reading Time Estimator
Paste any text to see live word count, reading time, and speaking time. Adjust the words-per-minute speeds to match your audience. Everything runs in your browser.
About the Reading Time Estimator
The Reading Time Estimator counts the words in your text and converts that count into a reading time and a speaking time. Paste an article, blog post, or script and the numbers update as you type. You can set the reading speed (default 200 words per minute) and the speaking speed (default 130 words per minute) to match your audience. Everything runs in your browser, so your text stays on your device and is never uploaded.
How it works
- Paste or type your text into the box.
- Read the word count, reading time, and speaking time on the stat cards.
- Change the reading speed or speaking speed in words per minute to fit your readers.
- Watch all three values update live with every keystroke.
Features
- Live word count that updates as you type.
- Reading time based on an adjustable words-per-minute speed, default 200.
- Speaking time based on a separate words-per-minute speed, default 130.
- Times shown in minutes and seconds.
- Runs entirely in your browser with no text sent to a server.
Frequently asked questions
How is reading time calculated?
The tool counts the words in your text and divides by the reading speed in words per minute, then shows the result in minutes and seconds. Change the reading speed field to recalculate.
Why are reading speed and speaking speed different?
People read silently faster than they speak. The default reading speed is 200 words per minute, while the default speaking speed is 130 words per minute, which is closer to a steady talking pace.
What words-per-minute value should I use?
Most adults read prose at about 200 to 250 words per minute, so 200 is a safe default. For a podcast or video script, 130 words per minute matches an unhurried speaking pace. Adjust both fields to fit your audience.
How are words counted?
The tool trims the text and splits it on spaces and line breaks, then counts the resulting pieces. Numbers and symbols separated by spaces count as words.
Is my text uploaded anywhere?
No. The counting and time calculations run in your browser. Your text is not sent to a server or stored.