How reading time is estimated
Reading time is word count divided by reading speed. A large review of reading studies (Brysbaert, 2019) put the average silent reading speed for adults reading English non-fiction at about 238 words per minute. Speaking is slower, around 130 to 150 words per minute for a clear presentation.
Technical text, code and long words read slower, so treat the result as a guide.
Questions
How many words is a 5 minute read?
About 1,200 words at 238 words per minute.
How long is a 2 minute video script?
About 260 to 300 words spoken at a clear pace.
Should I show reading time on blog posts?
Many sites do; it helps readers decide to start. Round to whole minutes.
Is my text sent anywhere?
No. It is counted in your browser.