ReadingTrackReading Time Calculator
Estimate how long a book, article or essay takes to read. Use page count, word count or paste the text, then adjust for your own reading speed.
Free · No account required · Works offlineHow to use the reading time calculator
- Choose pages, words or pasted text.
- Set your reading speed, or take the reading speed test to find your own.
- See silent reading time, read-aloud time and how many days it takes at your daily pace.
How reading time is calculated
Reading time is the word count divided by your reading speed in words per minute. A 300-page paperback holds about 75,000 to 90,000 words, so at an average 238 words per minute it takes roughly 5 to 6 hours.
The page estimate depends on the format. A mass-market paperback holds around 250 to 300 words per page, a trade hardcover about 300 to 350 and a dense textbook can reach 500 or more.
Average reading speeds
A 2019 review of 190 studies by Marc Brysbaert put average silent reading for adults at about 238 words per minute for non-fiction and 260 for fiction. Reading aloud is slower, usually 130 to 160 words per minute. Technical or unfamiliar material is often read at 150 to 200.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to read 100 pages?
At 275 words per page and 238 words per minute, 100 pages takes about 1 hour 55 minutes. A faster reader at 300 words per minute needs about 1 hour 30 minutes.
How many words are on a page?
Around 250 to 300 for a typical paperback novel, 300 to 350 for a hardcover and 500 or more for a single-spaced document or textbook. A double-spaced manuscript page is about 250 words.
How long is a 1,000-word speech?
Spoken at 150 words per minute, a 1,000-word speech lasts about 6 minutes 40 seconds. Allow extra time for pauses and audience reaction.
How do I find my reading speed?
Take the free reading speed test. It times you on a short passage and checks comprehension, then you can carry your words-per-minute straight back into this calculator.
Keep track of everything you read
ReadingTrack saves articles, papers and highlights from the web and your phone, tracks reading time and streaks, and brings ideas back when you need them.