Reading Speed Test

Choose a passage, press Start and read at your normal pace, then press Done and answer three questions. Your speed is words ÷ minutes. A large review of studies found that adults read nonfiction silently at about 238 words per minute on average.

How the reading speed test works

1. Pick a passage. The text stays blurred until you press Start, so the timer is fair.
2. Read at your normal pace, for understanding, then press Done.
3. Answer three questions from memory. You get your words per minute (WPM), your comprehension score and your effective speed.

Reading faster than you can understand is not useful, so the effective speed multiplies WPM by the share of questions you got right.

Typical reading speeds

Averages are from Brysbaert’s 2019 review of 190 studies. Students read more slowly while their reading skills are still growing, and everyone slows down for hard or unfamiliar material.

How to read faster with good understanding

• Read more, and read a wide range of texts. Vocabulary and background knowledge are the biggest drivers of speed.
• Preview headings and the first sentence of each paragraph before reading a textbook chapter.
• Reduce re-reading by keeping your eyes moving forward, but slow down for key definitions and math.
• Be wary of claims of 1,000+ WPM “speed reading”. Research shows that very high speeds come with large drops in understanding.

Reading rate practice questions

Test yourself with 6 multiple-choice questions. Choose an answer and press Submit to see if you are right and why. Your score appears at the end.

Frequently asked questions

How do you calculate reading speed?

Count the words you read, then divide by the minutes it took. 450 words in 2 minutes is 225 words per minute.

What is a good reading speed?

For adults, about 200 to 300 WPM with good understanding is typical. What matters most is reading at a pace where you still understand and remember the text.

Why does the test ask questions?

Speed without understanding is not real reading. The questions check comprehension, and the effective speed combines both.

Why do I get different results on different passages?

Harder vocabulary, longer sentences and unfamiliar topics slow everyone down. Try all three passages for a fuller picture.

Sources

• Brysbaert, M. (2019). How many words do we read per minute? Journal of Memory and Language
• Rayner et al. (2016). So much to read, so little time: How do we read, and can speed reading help? Psychological Science in the Public Interest

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