Text & Writing
Reading time from a word count
Divide the word count by an average silent reading speed of 200 words per minute to get the time in minutes.
The Formula
reading time (min) = words / 200
Divide the word count by an average silent reading speed of 200 words per minute to get the time in minutes.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| W | Word count | words | How many words the text contains. |
| 200 | Reading speed | wpm | Average adult silent reading rate, in words per minute. |
| T | Reading time | minutes | Estimated time to read the text silently. |
What Each Symbol Means
Wwords
Word count
How many words the text contains.
200wpm
Reading speed
Average adult silent reading rate, in words per minute.
Tminutes
Reading time
Estimated time to read the text silently.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to count words page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Count Words, filed under Everyday Life. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.