WordToolboxReading and speaking rates vary by reader, material and purpose. The figures below are widely used working averages for general, non-technical prose in English. Treat them as planning numbers, not measurements of a specific person.
Silent reading
| Audience or material | Words per minute |
|---|---|
| Adult, general prose | 200–250 |
| Adult, skimming for gist | 400–700 |
| Adult, technical or unfamiliar material | 100–150 |
| Adult, proofreading closely | 150–200 |
| Secondary school student | 150–200 |
| Primary school student | 80–150 |
| Reading aloud to an audience | 130–160 |
Speaking and narration
| Delivery | Words per minute |
|---|---|
| Slow, deliberate presentation | 100–120 |
| Conference or classroom presentation | 120–150 |
| Conversational podcast | 150–170 |
| Broadcast news read | 150–160 |
| Audiobook narration | 150–160 |
| Fast short-form video | 170–200 |
| Auctioneer or sports commentary | 250–400 |
What WordToolbox uses
- Reading time: 225 words per minute — mid-range for adult silent reading of general prose.
- Speaking time: 140 words per minute — a typical presentation and voiceover pace.
- Both are rounded to the nearest second and shown as minutes and seconds.
Converting a word count yourself
Minutes = words ÷ words-per-minute. A 1,800-word article at 225 wpm reads in 8 minutes; the same text narrated at 140 wpm runs about 12 minutes 51 seconds. Add time for images, tables and code, which are interpreted rather than read.
These are averages drawn from commonly cited ranges in reading research and broadcast practice. Where accuracy matters — an exam timing, a broadcast slot — time a real read of your own material.