Reading Time & Word Count
Paste any text to get an instant word count, character count, and reading and speaking time — great for posts, scripts, and emails.
Based on average reading speed (225 words per minute) and speaking pace (130 words per minute). Handy for blog posts, scripts, email length, and video run-time planning.
How reading and speaking time are calculated
Reading time is the word count divided by 225 words per minute, the common average for an adult reading silently. Speaking time uses 130 words per minute, which is closer to a clear presenting pace. The gap between the two is large and deliberate: a 900-word post is about four minutes to read and nearly seven minutes to say out loud, which is why a blog post read verbatim almost always overruns its video slot.
When the estimate is less reliable
A flat words-per-minute rate assumes prose that reads straight through. It is least accurate on content that makes the eye stop:
- Technical or unfamiliar material, where comprehension rather than word count sets the pace.
- Code blocks, tables and data, which are scanned and re-read rather than read once.
- Lists and headings, which are often skimmed, making real time shorter than the estimate.
- Scripts with deliberate pauses, where delivery time exceeds the raw speaking estimate.
Treat the number as a planning figure for length and pacing rather than a precise duration.
Frequently asked questions
How is reading time calculated?
What is the average speaking rate?
Why show reading time?
Why is speaking time so much longer than reading time?
DigiJaws builds content engines where every piece ranks, earns links, and converts.
Build My Content Engine →