Reading Speed Calculator: WPM to Book Completion Time
WPM (Words Per Minute) is the standard metric for reading speed. This calculator converts your reading speed and a book's word count into a realistic time estimate for finishing the book. You can also set a target speed to see how much time you'd save by reading faster.
WPM Benchmarks
At 200 WPM (below average), an 80,000-word novel takes about 6 hours 40 minutes. At 250 WPM (average adult), it takes 5 hours 20 minutes. At 400 WPM (above average), it drops to 3 hours 20 minutes. At 600 WPM (speed reader), it's just over 2 hours.
Common Book Word Counts
Short novellas: 20,000–40,000 words. Standard novels: 70,000–100,000 words. Self-help/business books: 50,000–80,000 words. Epic fantasy (e.g., Game of Thrones): 300,000+ words. Non-fiction textbooks vary widely.
Tips to Read Faster
Reduce subvocalization (silently mouthing words as you read), expand your visual span to take in more words at once, and avoid re-reading sentences. Regular reading practice is the most reliable way to improve speed over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does reading speed affect comprehension?
Reading too fast can hurt comprehension. Most experts suggest that above 500–600 WPM, retention tends to decrease for complex material. For easy fiction, higher speeds are more achievable without losing comprehension.
How do I find the word count of a book?
Many books list word counts on their product pages. For ebooks, some apps show word count directly. As a rough estimate, multiply the page count by 250 (standard non-fiction) or 300 (dense fiction) words per page.