Reading Time Calculator

The average adult reads at about 200–250 words per minute for general content. College students average around 300 wpm. Speed readers can reach 400–700 wpm, though comprehension decreases. Medium.com uses 265 wpm as their standard for reading time estimates.

Longer content (1,500–2,500 words) tends to rank better in Google because it can cover topics more thoroughly. However, quality matters more than length. Adding '5 min read' labels to articles improves click-through rates by setting expectations.

For SEO, 1,500–2,500 words (6–10 min read) performs best for competitive keywords. For news or quick tips, 300–600 words is appropriate. Long-form guides (3,000–5,000 words) rank well for complex topics with high search intent.

Some reading time formulas account for images: the first image adds 12 seconds, subsequent images add 3–4 seconds each. This calculator focuses on text reading time. Factor in 30–60 seconds for image-heavy articles.