Estimate how long a text takes to read or say aloud, choose your own speed, or work out how many words you need to fill a set number of minutes.
The calculator divides the word count by a speed in words per minute. For example, 400 words at 200 words per minute is about 2 minutes. The reverse calculation multiplies the minutes by the same speed, so 5 minutes of speaking at 130 words per minute is about 650 words.
The preset speeds are practical rules of thumb, not measurements of any individual. Reading speed depends on the reader, the topic and how carefully the text is read. Speaking speed depends on delivery style, pauses and the audience.
A reading time label helps visitors decide whether to read now or save a piece for later. Use the average speed for general audiences. If your writing is technical or dense, the slow setting may be a more honest estimate. For more on planning content efficiently, see how AI can save time in your content workflow and the best AI tools for bloggers.
Spoken delivery is slower than silent reading, and pauses, slides and questions add more time. Use the reverse calculation to set a word budget, then rehearse out loud and adjust. If you turn scripts into AI-generated audio, our guide to using ElevenLabs for AI voice content covers preparing text for listening.
Average (200 words per minute) suits most general writing. Choose slow for complex or technical material, or set a custom speed if you know your audience.
People usually read silently faster than they speak clearly, so the same text takes longer to say aloud.
Any whole number from 50 to 600 words per minute.
No. The calculation runs in your browser. Your text is not sent to WriterFlowLab and is not saved.