Writing & Content · Free tool
Reading Time Calculator
Calculate the exact reading and speaking time for any text at adjustable speeds. Get instant online results with no signup — a free tool for writers and speakers.
Updated June 2026
Reading time
0 sec
Speaking time
0 sec
Words
0
Characters
0
Sentences
0
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What it does
Estimate how long it takes to read or speak any block of text. Default reading speed is 238 words/minute (the median from Brysbaert’s 2019 meta-analysis); default speaking is 130 wpm (Toastmasters-recommended pace). Both adjustable for your audience.
Embed this tool on your siteShow snippetHide
Paste this snippet into any page. Loads on-demand (lazy), no tracking scripts, and sized to most dashboards. Replace the height to fit your layout.
<iframe src="https://freetoolarena.com/embed/reading-time-calculator" width="100%" height="720" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" title="Reading Time Calculator" style="border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:12px;max-width:720px;"></iframe>How to use it
- Paste your text in the input box.
- Adjust reading and speaking pace if needed.
- Read the time estimates plus word/character/sentence counts.
Frequently asked questions
- Where does 238 wpm come from?
- Brysbaert, M. (2019). 'How many words do we read per minute? A review and meta-analysis of reading rate.' Journal of Memory and Language. The median for adults reading non-fiction silently in English.
- Why is speaking slower?
- Spoken delivery for clarity (presentations, podcasts) sits around 120–150 wpm. Reading silently is faster because the brain skips function words and uses peripheral vision.
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