Study Skills
Reading time from a word count
Words divided by reading speed gives minutes directly, provided the speed is in words per minute.
The Formula
minutes = words / wpm
Words divided by reading speed gives minutes directly, provided the speed is in words per minute.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| t | Reading time | min | Time needed to read the passage, in minutes. |
| n | Words | words | Total word count of the passage. |
| r | Reading speed | wpm | Words read per minute at the intended level of care. |
What Each Symbol Means
tmin
Reading time
Time needed to read the passage, in minutes.
nwords
Words
Total word count of the passage.
rwpm
Reading speed
Words read per minute at the intended level of care.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate reading time 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 Calculate Reading Time, filed under Education. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.