Reading Time Calculator
Paste an article to estimate how long it takes to read, or to say aloud, with a speed you can adjust for each language.
Privacy and cost
This tool runs in your browser. What you type or paste is not sent to our servers and it costs nothing to use.
How it works
- Paste your text and pick its language: the matching average reading speed is pre-filled.
- Change the words-per-minute figure if needed to fit your audience.
- Read the estimated reading time and the time to speak it aloud.
Example
A 1,200-word article takes 5 min 3 s to read in English (238 wpm), 5 min 36 s in French (214), 5 min 30 s in Spanish (218) and 6 min 40 s in Arabic (180). Spoken at 140 wpm: 8 min 34 s.
What the result means
The calculation divides the word count by an average speed. The defaults are commonly cited averages for adults reading on screen, not measurements of your own readers, so the result is an estimate. Images, tables, code blocks and lists slow readers down and are not counted.
Common problems this tool helps with
- Showing a credible reading time at the top of an article.
- Preparing a speech, podcast or video with a fixed running time.
- Fitting a newsletter or post to the attention span you are aiming for.
- Comparing the reading time of the same content across languages.
Frequently asked questions
Where do the default speeds come from?
They are commonly cited averages: 238 wpm in English, 214 in French, 218 in Spanish and 180 in Arabic. They vary a lot between readers.
Can I change the speed?
Yes, from 50 to 600 words per minute. Technical content or non-native readers read more slowly.
How is speaking time estimated?
At 140 words per minute, a typical pace for a talk. Adjust for your own delivery by timing a sample paragraph.
Does my text leave my browser?
No, the estimate is calculated locally.
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