Reading Speed Reference
| Content Type | Avg Reading Time |
|---|---|
| Tweet / short post (50w) | 12 seconds |
| Blog post (800w) | ~3 minutes |
| Long article (2,000w) | ~8 minutes |
| Short story (7,500w) | ~30 minutes |
| Novel (90,000w) | ~6 hours |
Reading Time Calculator
Find out how long it will take to read any text or estimate reading time from word count. Useful for planning presentations, blog posts, speeches, or books.
Reading Time Estimator
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average reading speed?
The average adult reads at 200–250 words per minute (WPM) for non-fiction and slightly faster for fiction. College students average about 300 WPM. Speed readers can achieve 400–700 WPM, though comprehension decreases at higher speeds. Listening comprehension peaks at around 150–160 WPM, similar to natural speech.
How long should a blog post be?
For SEO and engagement, most research suggests 1,500–2,500 words for comprehensive articles (6–10 min read). Short posts of 300–600 words are fine for news or quick tips. The key is matching length to intent: in-depth guides benefit from length, while quick answers should be concise.