Reading time calculator

Paste any text. See reading time, word count, and how it breaks into 15-minute pomodoro sprints. Tuned for ADHD readers who need to know what they're committing to.

Reading speed:

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Read time

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Words

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Characters

In 15-minute pomodoro sprints:

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How this works

Average adult reading speed is about 240 words per minute for non-fiction at normal comprehension. Slow careful reading (dense academic text, second language) is closer to 180 wpm. Fast skimming (familiar material) can hit 320+ wpm. Pick the speed that matches what you're actually doing.

The pomodoro breakdown assumes 15-minute focus blocks — the sweet spot for ADHD sustained attention. A 1-hour article becomes "4 sprints," which is a much more tractable commitment than "1 hour of reading."

Why ADHD readers especially benefit from knowing reading time

"How long will this take?" is the most common reason ADHD readers abandon long articles or chapters before starting. Knowing it's "12 minutes" or "two 15-minute sprints" turns an open-ended commitment into a finishable one. The brain agrees to bounded tasks; it silently vetoes unbounded ones.

If you find yourself bouncing off articles repeatedly, paste them here first. Often a 3,000-word piece you've been dreading is actually 13 minutes of reading — and seeing that number makes you press start.

Want to actually read it focused?

FocusReader opens any text in a reading surface with anchor emphasis, line-ruler dimming, and built-in 15-minute pomodoro sprints. Free for 3 books, no signup.

Open in FocusReader →