Reading Time Calculator
Paste your text or type a word count, choose your reading speed, and get the time it takes to read — plus how long famous books take.
238 wpm
How the reading time estimate works
Reading time is word count divided by your reading speed in words per minute (wpm). The average adult reads nonfiction at roughly 200–250 wpm with good comprehension; fiction goes a little faster, dense technical text slower. Audible-style audiobooks run at about 150–160 wpm, so a 238-wpm reader finishes the same book in around two-thirds of the listening time. Slide the speed to match how you actually read — the estimate updates instantly.
How long does it take to read 600, 1,000, 1,500, or 2,000 words?
Divide the word count by your pace to estimate reading time. At the calculator's average setting of 238 words per minute, 1,500 words takes about 6 minutes 18 seconds; your pace and the text's difficulty will change the result.
| Word count | Slow · 150 wpm | Average · 238 wpm | Fast · 350 wpm |
|---|---|---|---|
| 600 words | 4 min | 2 min 31 sec | 1 min 43 sec |
| 1,000 words | 6 min 40 sec | 4 min 12 sec | 2 min 51 sec |
| 1,500 words | 10 min | 6 min 18 sec | 4 min 17 sec |
| 2,000 words | 13 min 20 sec | 8 min 24 sec | 5 min 43 sec |
Full guides for common counts: 500 words · 1,000 · 1,500 · 2,000 · 3,000 · 5,000 · 10,000 · 20,000 — each with pace tables, page counts and read-aloud times.
How long do famous books take to read?
Word counts are approximate estimates for standard English editions, widely cited by readers and reading-speed tools — they vary by edition and language, so treat every number as a rough guide. Times assume the average 238 wpm; page counts are derived at 250 words per page.
| Book | ~Words | Reading time | Pages (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Alchemist | 45,000 | 3 h 9 min | 180 |
| The Psychology of Money | 57,000 | 4 h | 228 |
| Atomic Habits | 73,000 | 5 h 7 min | 292 |
| 1984 | 89,000 | 6 h 14 min | 356 |
| The Hobbit | 95,000 | 6 h 39 min | 380 |
| Sapiens | 115,000 | 8 h 3 min | 460 |
| Educated | 113,000 | 7 h 55 min | 452 |
| Pride and Prejudice | 122,000 | 8 h 33 min | 488 |
| Project Hail Mary | 132,000 | 9 h 15 min | 528 |
| Dune | 188,000 | 13 h 10 min | 752 |
Wondering which of these is right for you? The book recommendation quiz picks one in two minutes — and once you've finished it, the book quiz will test whether it stuck.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate reading time?
Divide the word count by your reading speed in words per minute. At the 238 wpm average, a 90,000-word novel takes about 6 hours 18 minutes. The calculator above does this for any word count or pasted text.
What is the average reading speed?
238 words per minute for adults reading non-fiction, per Marc Brysbaert's 2019 meta-analysis of 190 studies. Easy fiction runs slightly faster, around 260 wpm; dense classic prose can drop below 200.
How long does it take to read 100 pages?
About 2 hours at the average pace of 45-55 pages per hour. The exact time depends on the edition's page density and the difficulty of the text.
Does reading speed matter for comprehension?
Past roughly 300-350 wpm comprehension starts to slip for most readers. If you are retaining what you read, your speed is fine - the calculator lets you test slower speeds to budget realistic sessions.