The speeds behind the numbers
Reading. The default is 238 words a minute. That figure comes from a 2019 review by Marc Brysbaert, published in the Journal of Memory and Language, which pooled 190 studies of adults reading English silently. It found an average of 238 words a minute for non-fiction and 260 for fiction. Most adults read non-fiction at roughly 175 to 300 words a minute. Pick slow (180) for dense or technical text, readers working in a second language, or anything people will study rather than skim. Pick fast (300) for light, familiar material. Or set your own speed.
Speaking. The default is 130 words a minute, a measured pace for a presentation or a speech with pauses. Conversation runs faster. Choose 110 for a slow, deliberate delivery (a eulogy, a talk with slides to explain), 150 for a conversational talk, or 170 for brisk reading aloud.
| Words | Reading (238 wpm) | Speaking (130 wpm) |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 25 sec | 46 sec |
| 250 | 1 min 3 sec | 1 min 55 sec |
| 500 | 2 min 6 sec | 3 min 51 sec |
| 750 | 3 min 9 sec | 5 min 46 sec |
| 1,000 | 4 min 12 sec | 7 min 42 sec |
| 1,500 | 6 min 18 sec | 11 min 32 sec |
| 2,000 | 8 min 24 sec | 15 min 23 sec |
| 2,500 | 10 min 30 sec | 19 min 14 sec |
| 3,000 | 12 min 36 sec | 23 min 5 sec |
| 5,000 | 21 min 1 sec | 38 min 28 sec |
| 10,000 | 42 min 1 sec | 1 hr 16 min |
Reading: average silent reading of English non-fiction by adults (Brysbaert, 2019). Speaking: a measured presentation pace. Change both in the reading-time calculator.
Using the estimate
- For articles and posts, reading time helps readers decide whether to start now or save it for later. Round up and keep it honest: a “5-minute read” that takes ten erodes trust.
- For talks, write to about 90% of your slot. Live delivery runs long once you add pauses, questions and the occasional ad-lib. A 10-minute slot at 130 words a minute holds about 1,300 words; aim for 1,150 to 1,200.
- Rehearse aloud with a timer. Your own pace is the only number that counts on the day. Time one minute of your script, count the words, and enter that as your speed.
The calculator does not add time for images, tables or code. If your piece is full of them, add your own allowance. The guide Reading time explains why estimates vary, and Speech length covers timing a talk.
How many words is a 5-minute speech?
About 650 words at 130 words a minute; between 550 and 850 across the four speaking speeds offered here.
Does pasting text change the word count field?
Yes. When you paste text, the calculator counts its words with the same rules as the word counter and fills in the number for you.