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Reading Speed Test
Read a short passage, answer three questions, and see your words per minute alongside how much you understood.
The passage appears here when you press Start. Read at your normal pace, the way you would read for school or work, then press Done.
Example result
Adults read nonfiction silently at about 238 words per minute on average.
How reading speed is measured
Reading speed is the number of words read divided by the reading time in seconds, multiplied by 60. Because speed means little without understanding, this test also gives an effective reading rate: speed multiplied by your comprehension score.
Words per minute = words ÷ seconds × 60
Effective rate = words per minute × (correct answers ÷ questions)
Worked example
You read a 250-word article in 1 minute 15 seconds and answer two of three questions correctly.
- Time in seconds: 60 + 15 = 75
- Speed: 250 ÷ 75 × 60 = 200 wpm
- Effective rate: 200 × (2 ÷ 3) = 133
Average reading speed for adults
These averages come from a review of 190 studies by Marc Brysbaert (2019). Treat them as a reference point, not a target.
| Type of reading | Average words per minute |
|---|---|
| Silent reading, fiction | 260 |
| Silent reading, nonfiction | 238 |
| Reading aloud | 183 |
Source: Brysbaert, How many words do we read per minute? (2019).
How teachers use this test
- Silent reading check-ins. Older students take the test at the start and end of a term to see growth in both speed and understanding.
- Teaching that speed is not the goal. Show the class two results, one fast with low comprehension and one steady with full marks, and compare the effective rates.
- Planning reading time. Once you know a typical rate, use the reading time calculator to see how long a passage will take.
For read-aloud fluency with younger children, use the WCPM calculator instead, since it counts errors as well as speed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average reading speed?
A large 2019 review by Marc Brysbaert found that adults read English nonfiction silently at about 238 words per minute and fiction at about 260. Reading aloud is slower, at about 183 words per minute.
How is reading speed calculated?
Divide the number of words in the passage by the time it took to read, in seconds, then multiply by 60. A 250-word passage read in 75 seconds gives 200 words per minute.
What is effective reading rate?
Effective reading rate is your speed multiplied by your comprehension score. Reading 300 words per minute with two out of three questions right gives an effective rate of 200, which is a fairer picture than speed alone.
Is this the same as a fluency (WCPM) score?
No. This test measures silent reading speed. Oral reading fluency for students is scored as words correct per minute while they read aloud, using the WCPM calculator.
How can I read faster?
Read more, and read material you enjoy. Speed grows with vocabulary and background knowledge. Speed-reading tricks that skip words usually lower comprehension, so check your effective rate, not just your speed.
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