Reading time calculator.

What it does. Estimates how long a piece takes to read, from its word count at a typical silent-reading speed.

How to use it. Paste the text to see the estimate. The usual assumption is roughly 200-250 words a minute; treat the figure as a band, not a promise - dense technical writing reads slower than a light list, and that is fine.

Why it matters. Reading time is a promise made next to the headline. Estimating it honestly, and then delivering it, is a small trust signal that keeps readers coming back.

Your data. The tool runs entirely in your browser - text you paste never leaves the page, and nothing is uploaded to a server.

Good to know

The estimate assumes silent reading - reading aloud runs at roughly a third of the speed, so a five-minute read is closer to fifteen presented. Podcasters and video hosts: budget accordingly.

Where this fits

Counting tools answer one question precisely: how much? They matter at the boundaries - the limit on a form, the length an editor asked for, the session you promised yourself. Used once, a counter answers a question; used as a habit, it keeps your work inside the frames that get it read.

Category neighbours: Word counter and Character counter

Maintained by the BRYME writing desk.