Estimate how long a text takes to read silently or aloud at slow, average and fast words-per-minute speeds, with a speaking time too.. Reading Time Estimator is a free online tool from the ToolsRift Study & Education Tools collection. It runs entirely in your browser — nothing to install, no signup, and your data never leaves your device.
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How to use Reading Time Estimator
Paste your text and the reading times appear straight away at study, average and fast speeds, along with the time to read it aloud. Change the words-per-minute setting to match your own pace.
Frequently asked questions
What reading speed should I use?
Around 130 words per minute is a careful, studying pace, 240 is the average adult silent reading speed for general material, and 400 is fast skimming. Dense academic or technical text sits at the slower end, so use the study pace when planning revision.
How do I work out a presentation length?
Use the reading-aloud figure. Most people speak at 130 to 150 words per minute when presenting, so a 10-minute talk is roughly 1,300 to 1,500 words including pauses.
Does it count differently for long words?
The estimate is based on word count at the chosen speed, which is the standard method. Very dense material genuinely reads slower, so drop the words-per-minute setting rather than trusting a single fixed figure.
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