Word Counter and Reading Time Calculator
Paste or type your text and see words, characters, sentences, paragraphs and how long it takes to read or say aloud. It updates as you type.
Last checked 12/11/2026. Sources: British Psychological Society Research Digest on Brysbaert (2019): silent reading speed averages 238 words per minute for English non-fiction.
How these figures are checked. The word list and any other sourced figure link to where they come from and carry a last-checked date; our own rules of thumb are labelled as such. Run by JB, an independent publisher based in Australia. Spotted a mistake? Email hello@wordfig.com.
Guide
How the counts are worked out
Words are runs of letters or digits, and a word with an apostrophe or hyphen inside it, such as “don’t” or “well-known”, counts once. Characters are counted with and without spaces. Sentences end at a full stop, question mark or exclamation mark followed by a space or the end of the text. Paragraphs are blocks of text separated by a blank line.
Different tools count differently, especially for hyphens, numbers and sentence endings, so your word processor or an assignment portal may show a slightly different number. Check the rule your assignment or publisher uses.
Reading and speaking time
Reading time uses 238 words per minute, the average silent reading speed for English non-fiction found in a review of 190 studies (Brysbaert, 2019). Individual speeds vary a lot. Speaking time uses 150 words per minute, which is our own editorial rule of thumb for a steady speaking pace; a fast talker may reach 180 or more.
- Example: 1,000 words is about 4 minutes 12 seconds to read and about 6 minutes 40 seconds to say aloud.
Privacy
The text you type is counted in your browser. It is not sent to our servers or stored by us.
Quick reference: words and time
| Words | Reading time | Speaking time |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 25 sec | 40 sec |
| 250 | 1 min 3 sec | 1 min 40 sec |
| 500 | 2 min 6 sec | 3 min 20 sec |
| 1,000 | 4 min 12 sec | 6 min 40 sec |
| 2,000 | 8 min 24 sec | 13 min |
| 5,000 | 21 min | 33 min |
Common questions
How many words is a page?
It depends on font, spacing and margins. A single-spaced page is often around 500 words and a double-spaced page around 250, but your own document can differ.
Why does my word processor show a different count?
Tools treat hyphens, numbers, symbols and line breaks differently. A small difference is normal. Use the count your assignment or publisher specifies.
How is reading time worked out?
Words divided by 238, the average silent reading speed for English non-fiction in a published review. Real speeds vary by reader and text.
Is my text saved?
No. It is counted in your browser and never sent to us.