Reading Time Calculator
Reading Time Calculator is a free writing tool that runs directly in your browser with no account required.
About this tool
Estimate how long an article takes to read by pasting the text and setting a reading speed. You get the word count, exact minutes to two decimals, and a rounded-up figure suitable for a "5 min read" badge.
How to use
- Paste your article into the Text field.
- Adjust Words per minute to match your audience (225 is the default).
- Read the Words, Minutes, and Rounded metrics.
Frequently asked questions
What reading speed should I use?
Around 200-250 wpm suits general adult audiences; the default is 225. Use lower values (150-200) for technical or instructional content and higher ones for light skimmable copy.
What is the difference between Minutes and Rounded?
Minutes is the precise estimate to two decimal places; Rounded rounds up to the next whole minute with a minimum of 1, which is the number you would publish on a blog post.
Are code blocks or images accounted for?
No. The estimate is based purely on whitespace-separated word count. Content with heavy code, tables, or images typically takes longer than the estimate suggests.
How is the word count computed?
The text is trimmed and split on any run of whitespace, so formatting and line breaks do not affect the count.
Is my article uploaded when I paste it?
No. The calculation runs locally in your browser, so unpublished drafts remain private.