How reading time is calculated
Reading time = word count ÷ reading speed. The default of 238 words per minute comes from a 2019 meta-analysis by Marc Brysbaert of 190 studies, which found average silent reading of non-fiction by adults at about 238 wpm (260 wpm for fiction).
Speaking time uses 140 wpm by default, in the middle of the 130–150 wpm range typical for presentations and audiobooks.
Words to minutes
| Words | Reading (238 wpm) | Speaking (140 wpm) |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 25 sec | 43 sec |
| 250 | 1 min 3 sec | 1 min 47 sec |
| 500 | 2 min 6 sec | 3 min 34 sec |
| 750 | 3 min 9 sec | 5 min 21 sec |
| 1,000 | 4 min 12 sec | 7 min 9 sec |
| 2,000 | 8 min 24 sec | 14 min 17 sec |