Reading Speed Calculator

1. Choose a representative text

Use material with a known word count and difficulty similar to what you want to plan for.

2. Record the word count

Enter the number of words actually read.

3. Enter elapsed time

Use whole minutes plus any additional seconds from the same reading session.

4. Add a target length

Optionally enter another word count to project reading time at the measured pace.

5. Consider comprehension

Repeat the test if speed increased because the text was skimmed or not understood.

Elapsed minutes = Minutes + Seconds ÷ 60 Reading speed (WPM) = Words read ÷ Elapsed minutes Projected minutes = Target words ÷ Reading speed

Where:

• Words read — word count completed during the timed session
• Elapsed minutes — total reading time expressed in minutes
• WPM — words read per minute

Assumptions: The projection assumes the target text is read at the same pace and has similar difficulty.

What the result means

Reading speed changes with text difficulty, purpose, language, and comprehension requirements. The result describes the entered session; it should not be treated as a fixed ability score without repeating the test under comparable conditions.

Reading pace varies with text difficulty, language, and comprehension goals.

Given:

• Words read: 1,440
• Elapsed time: 7 minutes 12 seconds
• Target text: 2,500 words

Calculation:
Elapsed minutes = 7 + 12 ÷ 60 = 7.2. Speed = 1,440 ÷ 7.2 = 200 WPM. Projected time = 2,500 ÷ 200 = 12.5 minutes.

Result: 200 WPM; 12 minutes 30 seconds for the target

Interpretation: At the measured pace, a 2,500-word text of similar difficulty would take about twelve and a half minutes.