Reading speeds from Brysbaert’s 2019 meta-analysis (Journal of Memory and Language): the average adult reads non-fiction at 225 wpm. Speech rates from Toastmasters International and the National Speakers Association: 130 wpm for formal presentations, 145 wpm conversational. Audiobook industry norm is 9,000 words per finished audio hour (≈ 150 wpm). Real reading speed varies with text difficulty (academic prose ~150 wpm) and familiarity (well-practised material ~280 wpm).
The numbers behind the calculator
Reading speeds come from Marc Brysbaert’s 2019 meta-analysis (Journal of Memory and Language): 190 studies, more than 18,000 participants, average non-fiction silent reading rate 238 wpm. Speech rates come from Toastmasters International’s public speaking guidelines and the National Speakers Association’s rate-of-speech recommendations: 130 wpm for formal speeches, 145 wpm conversational, 155 wpm audiobook.
For blog posts and articles
Most blog platforms (Medium, Substack, this one) display reading time using 225–265 wpm. A 1,000-word post = ~4 min reading. A 2,500-word longform = ~10 min. The “X-min read” label is usually rounded to the nearest minute.
For presentations and scripts
Plan a 10-minute presentation as 1,300 words at formal pace, 1,450 at conversational. A 20-minute conference talk is 2,600 words. A typical TED talk (15–18 min) is roughly 2,000–2,400 words. If you’re scripting voiceover for video, the audiobook rate (155 wpm) is closer to natural narration; the formal-speech rate (130 wpm) sounds slow on screen.
This tool is for educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a licensed Canadian healthcare professional. Read our full disclaimer.