The average adult reads English silently at about 238 words per minute for non-fiction. Speaking is much slower: presentations and speeches usually run at 130–150 words per minute. So a 1,000-word article takes about 4 minutes to read but 7–8 minutes to say aloud.
Paste any text into the Character Counter and open Reading stats to see estimated read time and speak time next to the word count.
Where the numbers come from
The 238 wpm figure comes from a 2019 review by psychologist Marc Brysbaert, who combined 190 studies with nearly 18,000 participants. He found average silent reading rates of about 238 wpm for non-fiction and 260 wpm for fiction, and about 183 wpm when reading aloud. Older claims of 300+ wpm for "average" readers were too optimistic.
Speaking rates vary by speaker and setting:
| Setting | Typical pace |
|---|---|
| Slow, deliberate presentation | 110–130 wpm |
| Comfortable presentation or lecture | 130–150 wpm |
| Conversation, podcasts | 150–170 wpm |
| Fast talkers, auctioneers | 200+ wpm |
Our tool uses 238 wpm for reading and 130 wpm for speaking, a comfortable presentation pace that leaves room for pauses.
Reading and speaking time chart
| Words | Silent reading (238 wpm) | Speaking (130 wpm) | Speaking (150 wpm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 250 | ~1 min | ~2 min | ~1.7 min |
| 500 | ~2 min | ~3.8 min | ~3.3 min |
| 750 | ~3.2 min | ~5.8 min | 5 min |
| 1,000 | ~4.2 min | ~7.7 min | ~6.7 min |
| 1,500 | ~6.3 min | ~11.5 min | 10 min |
| 2,000 | ~8.4 min | ~15.4 min | ~13.3 min |
| 3,000 | ~12.6 min | ~23 min | 20 min |
| 5,000 | ~21 min | ~38.5 min | ~33.3 min |
How many words for a speech?
Work backwards from the time slot:
| Speech length | Words (130–150 wpm) |
|---|---|
| 1 minute | 130–150 |
| 2 minutes | 260–300 |
| 3 minutes | 390–450 |
| 5 minutes | 650–750 |
| 10 minutes | 1,300–1,500 |
| 15 minutes | 1,950–2,250 |
| 20 minutes | 2,600–3,000 |
Write slightly under the target. Pauses for emphasis, laughter, slides and questions add time, and nervous speakers often slow down — or rush, which is worse. Rehearse once with a timer and adjust.
For wedding toasts and best man speeches, 3–5 minutes (roughly 400–700 words) is plenty. For a TED-style talk of up to 18 minutes, scripts are typically around 2,300–2,700 words.
Reading time for blog posts and newsletters
Many publishers show "X min read" at the top of articles. Medium, for example, bases its estimate on 265 words per minute and adds time for images. You can calculate it the same way:
Reading time (minutes) = word count ÷ 238, rounded up.
A few practical notes:
- Round up, not down. Readers forgive a "5 min read" that takes 4 minutes more readily than the reverse.
- Technical content is slower. Code, data tables and dense explanations are read at a fraction of normal speed.
- Skimmers are faster. On the web, many people skim headings and lists. Clear structure helps them find what they came for.
Reading speed vs. comprehension
Speed-reading apps promise 500–1,000 wpm, but research consistently shows that comprehension falls sharply above normal reading speeds. If you want people to understand and remember your text, make it easier to read rather than hoping they read faster: shorter sentences, plain words, and one idea per paragraph. The Readability Score tool shows how demanding your text is using Flesch-Kincaid and other formulas.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to read 1,000 words?
About 4 minutes at an average silent reading speed of 238 words per minute.
How many words is a 5-minute speech?
About 650–750 words at a comfortable speaking pace of 130–150 words per minute.
What is a good reading speed?
For adults reading non-fiction in English, around 200–260 words per minute is typical. Speed matters less than understanding.
How do I calculate reading time?
Divide the word count by 238 and round up. The Character Counter does it automatically.
Final takeaway
Use 238 wpm for reading and 130–150 wpm for speaking. A 1,000-word text is a 4-minute read or a 7-minute talk. Paste your script or article into the Character Counter to see both estimates instantly.