Reading Time Calculator
Reviewed by Hamza Gujjar, Algorithm Architect & Software Developer
Last updated: July 27, 2026Why publishers show reading time
Displaying an estimated reading time near the top of an article is a common UX pattern - it sets reader expectations before they commit to the page, and some publishers report it modestly improves time-on-page and reduces early bounce.
Worked example
For a 1,200-word article at a 225 words-per-minute reading speed:
Reading Time = 1200 / 225 = 5.3 minutes
| Reader Type | Typical Speed |
|---|---|
| Slow / careful reader | 150-180 WPM |
| Average adult reader | 200-250 WPM |
| Fast / skimming reader | 300+ WPM |
Technical or dense content (heavy in data, code, or jargon) is typically read more slowly than conversational blog writing, so adjusting the words-per-minute input for your specific audience gives a more realistic estimate.