How reading time is calculated
Reading time is estimated by dividing word count by an assumed reading speed in words per minute (WPM). The standard figure used by most tools — including Medium, Notion, and most reading time estimators — is 238 WPM, derived from a study of average adult silent reading speed on digital screens (Brysbaert, 2019, Journal of Cognition).
The formula is simple:
So a 1,000-word article at 238 WPM takes roughly 4.2 minutes to read. A 2,500-word post takes about 10.5 minutes.
Most tools round to the nearest minute, which is why you see “4 min read” rather than “4.2 min read.” For content under 60 seconds, tools typically show seconds instead.
Reading time reference table
Three reading speeds: slow (150 WPM) for dense or technical content, average (238 WPM) for typical web prose, and fast (300 WPM) for casual or familiar content.
| Word count | Slow (150 wpm) | Average (238 wpm) | Fast (300 wpm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 40 sec | 25 sec | 20 sec |
| 250 | 1.7 min | 1 min | 50 sec |
| 500 | 3.3 min | 2 min | 1.7 min |
| 750 | 5 min | 3 min | 2.5 min |
| 1,000 | 6.7 min | 4 min | 3.3 min |
| 1,500 | 10 min | 6 min | 5 min |
| 2,000 | 13 min | 8 min | 6.7 min |
| 2,500 | 16.7 min | 10.5 min | 8.3 min |
| 3,000 | 20 min | 12.6 min | 10 min |
| 4,000 | 26.7 min | 16.8 min | 13.3 min |
| 5,000 | 33.3 min | 21 min | 16.7 min |
| 7,500 | 50 min | 31.5 min | 25 min |
| 10,000 | 66.7 min | 42 min | 33.3 min |
Reading speed varies by content type
The 238 WPM average is for typical web prose — articles, blog posts, news content. Not all content reads at the same speed.
- Technical documentation and code-heavy content: 100–150 WPM. Readers slow down to process syntax, follow logic, and re-read complex sections.
- Academic papers and dense non-fiction: 150–200 WPM. Unfamiliar vocabulary and complex arguments require more cognitive load.
- Standard web articles and blog posts: 200–250 WPM. Short paragraphs, familiar language, and clear structure let readers move quickly.
- Fiction and casual reading: 250–350 WPM. Readers are engaged and familiar with the narrative register, so they read faster.
For content strategy purposes, the 238 WPM average is a reasonable baseline. If you're writing documentation or technical guides, assume 150 WPM when estimating how long your content will take to consume.
Reading time estimates are most useful for setting expectations — “5 min read” tells a reader whether they have time now or should save the article. For SEO, average time-on-page is a quality signal. Content that takes 4 minutes to read but generates 8 minutes of average session time suggests readers are re-reading, sharing, or deeply engaged.