Reading Time Calculator Formula
Understand the math behind the reading time calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.
Formulas Used
Reading Time
reading_minutes = word_count / reading_speedReading Time (hours)
reading_hours = word_count / reading_speed / 60Variables
| Variable | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
word_count | Total Word Count | 5000 |
reading_speed | Reading Speed(WPM) | 250 |
How It Works
How to Estimate Reading Time
Divide the total word count by your reading speed in words per minute.
Formula
Reading Time (minutes) = Word Count / Reading Speed (WPM)
The average adult reads about 200-250 words per minute for general text.
Worked Example
A 5,000-word article at 250 WPM reading speed.
word_count = 5000reading_speed = 250
- 01Reading time = 5,000 / 250 = 20.0 minutes
- 02In hours = 20 / 60 = 0.33 hours
Ready to run the numbers?
Open Reading Time Calculator