How this calculator works
Reading time is the words in the book divided by your reading speed. A page count is easier to find than a word count, so the calculator multiplies the pages by an average number of words per page. Most adult non-fiction is read silently at roughly 200 to 260 words a minute; the presets use 150 for a careful reader, 250 for an average pace and 350 for a quick one. Dividing the total by the minutes you actually set aside each day gives the number of days, which is usually the more useful figure.
Formula
total minutes = pages x words per page / words per minute. days = total minutes / minutes read each day. pages per day = minutes per day x words per minute / words per page. speed needed = pages x words per page / (days x minutes per day).
Worked example
A 300-page book at 300 words a page is 90,000 words. At 250 words a minute that is 360 minutes, or 6 hours. Reading 30 minutes a day finishes it in 12 days. To finish in 14 days at 30 minutes a day you need only 90,000 / (14 x 30) = 214 words a minute.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a normal reading speed?
The large 2019 review by Brysbaert found a mean of about 238 words a minute for silent reading of non-fiction by adults. Speeds vary widely with the text, the reader and whether the goal is skimming or deep understanding.
Should I count pages or words?
Pages are easier to count and good enough for planning. Words are more accurate when comparing editions, because large print, narrow margins and different page sizes all change the words on a page.
Does this include breaks?
No. The result is pure reading time. If you read for 30 minutes but pause to take notes or check a phone, enter the minutes of actual reading, or you will finish later than the estimate.
Why is my audiobook different?
Narration speed is set by the narrator, not by your reading speed. Use the audiobook speed calculator for a recording and this page for print.