Reading time labels such as "6 min read" help visitors decide whether to read an article now or save it for later. Calculating one is simple, but the result depends on the reading speed you choose. This guide explains the formula, what research says about reading speed, and how to present the estimate.
Reading-speed figures in this article come from a peer-reviewed meta-analysis, cited below. Recommendations on which speed to use and how to show reading time are WriterFlowLab's editorial guidance.
The formula
Reading time in minutes = number of words ÷ reading speed in words per minute.
For example, a 1,200-word article read at 200 words per minute takes 1,200 ÷ 200 = 6 minutes. At 240 words per minute, the same article takes 5 minutes.
What research says about reading speed
A 2019 meta-analysis by Marc Brysbaert, published in the Journal of Memory and Language, analysed 190 studies with 18,573 participants. It estimated that:
- the average silent reading rate for adults in English is 238 words per minute for non-fiction and 260 words per minute for fiction;
- for silent reading of English non-fiction, most adults fall in the range of 175 to 300 words per minute;
- the average oral reading rate, based on 77 studies and 5,965 participants, is 183 words per minute;
- reading rates are lower for children, older adults and readers with English as a second language.
The paper also notes that its estimates are lower than the numbers often cited in scientific and popular writing. Source: Brysbaert, M. (2019). How many words do we read per minute? A review and meta-analysis of reading rate. Journal of Memory and Language, 109, 104047. doi:10.1016/j.jml.2019.104047
Which speed to use
Our guidance: the research average for non-fiction is about 238 words per minute, but web articles are often read on small screens, with interruptions, in a second language or with close attention. A slightly conservative figure gives a more realistic estimate for many readers. Our reading time calculator and word counter use 200 words per minute by default, and the calculator lets you choose a different speed.
Whichever speed you choose, use the same one across your site so that the labels are consistent.
Adjusting for different kinds of content
Our guidance:
- Technical or dense text: use a slower speed, because readers pause and re-read.
- Code, tables and data: these usually take longer than their word count suggests. Either add time for them or leave them out of the word count, and apply the same rule everywhere.
- Images and diagrams: readers spend time on them that a word count does not capture. If you adjust for them, do it consistently.
- Short posts: round up to at least one minute rather than showing "0 min read".
Reading time vs speaking time
Reading aloud is slower than silent reading. The meta-analysis above put the average oral reading rate at 183 words per minute, compared with 238 for silent reading of non-fiction. For scripts, presentations and voiceovers, estimate speaking time separately. Our calculator uses 130 words per minute for speaking by default, a deliberately moderate pace that leaves room for pauses and emphasis. Our guide to turning a blog post into a voiceover shows where speaking time fits in an audio workflow.
Worked examples
- A 2,000-word guide at 200 words per minute: 2,000 ÷ 200 = 10 minutes.
- The same guide at the research average of 238 words per minute: 2,000 ÷ 238 ≈ 8.4 minutes, so about 8 minutes.
- A 650-word script spoken at 130 words per minute: 650 ÷ 130 = 5 minutes.
How to show reading time on your blog
Our guidance:
- Place it near the title or byline, where readers decide whether to start.
- Round to whole minutes. A label such as "6 min 12 sec" suggests more precision than the estimate has.
- Recalculate when you make significant changes to an article.
- Treat it as a courtesy to readers, not a measure of quality. A longer read is not automatically a better one, as our guide to how many words a blog post should be explains.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average reading speed?
The 2019 meta-analysis cited above estimated 238 words per minute for adults silently reading English non-fiction and 260 for fiction, with most adults between 175 and 300 words per minute for non-fiction.
Why do reading time calculators give different results?
They use different reading speeds and count words in slightly different ways. Check which speed a tool uses before comparing results.
Should reading time include images and code?
It is a judgement call. Choose a rule, apply it consistently, and remember that the estimate is approximate either way.