How to test your reading speed
- Choose a quiet moment and select Start reading. The timer starts as the passage appears.
- Read the entire 338-word English story at a comfortable pace. Select Finished reading when you reach the end.
- Answer three questions from memory. Your result shows WPM and how many answers were correct.
How is WPM calculated?
WPM means words per minute. This test divides the passage’s word count by the time you spend reading, excluding pauses. The title is not counted. Words separated by spaces count as words; punctuation on its own does not.
For example, reading 500 words in 2 minutes gives 250 WPM. To use a passage or book of your own, try the WPM calculator.
What is a good reading speed?
A useful reading pace depends on your text and your goal. Reading a story for pleasure is different from studying a difficult paragraph. Compare similar material and pay attention to what you understood. Our guide to average reading speed explains the research and its limits.
How accurate is this online reading test?
This is an informal snapshot, not a standardised or diagnostic test. Timing includes your click at the end, and three questions sample only a small part of what you read. Tests completed in under 15 seconds do not produce a WPM estimate. Repeating this same story may increase your score through familiarity.
The test runs in your browser. Your answers and result are kept only in this page’s memory and clear when you reload. Switching to another tab pauses the timer; resume when you return.
Can I test my reading speed with a physical book?
Yes. Time a reading session and divide the words read by the minutes spent reading. In the ReadPace mobile app, you can scan the pages to count the words on your phone, then take an optional comprehension quiz. Repeated sessions help reveal the relationship between your pace and recall.