What this calculator does
Reading & speaking time works out how long a word count takes to read aloud or silently. Enter your own figures above and the answer updates as you type: nothing is fixed in the code, so the result reflects exactly the numbers you supply.
The formula this calculator evaluates is printed under the tool and explained below, so you can check the working by hand or reuse it in a spreadsheet.
The formula
FormulaMinutes = words / words-per-minute (≈130 speaking, ≈240 reading)
The inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Word count | A number. Starts at 1500. |
| Speaking pace (wpm) | A number, measured in wpm. Starts at 130. |
| Reading pace (wpm) | A number, measured in wpm. Starts at 240. |
Worked examples
Every figure in the tables below is produced by this page’s own calculator at build time, so the numbers and the tool always agree. Select any row to load that scenario.
How the answer changes with word count
Every other input is held at the calculator’s starting values while word count varies. Select any row to load that scenario into the calculator.