The average adult reads English nonfiction at about 238 words per minute and fiction at about 260 WPM. Those estimates come from a 2019 review of 190 studies with 18,573 participants.
Averages give you a reference point. They do not define a target for a contract, textbook, novel, or quick news scan. A useful reading-speed test matches the material and includes comprehension.
The strongest adult reading-speed estimate
Marc Brysbaert reviewed silent and oral reading studies across languages. For adults reading English, he estimated these rates:
| Reading mode | Average | Common adult range |
|---|---|---|
| Silent nonfiction | 238 WPM | 175 to 300 WPM |
| Silent fiction | 260 WPM | 200 to 320 WPM |
| Oral reading | 183 WPM | Varies with speech and text |
The fiction average ran higher in part because nonfiction tends to use longer words. The review also found lower rates for children, older adults, and readers using English as a second language. Those group results should not replace an individual test.
A practical way to read WPM ranges
Use the ranges as descriptions rather than grades:
- Below 175 WPM: common with dense, unfamiliar, or second-language text.
- 175 to 300 WPM: the central range for adult English nonfiction in the meta-analysis.
- 200 to 320 WPM: the central range for adult English fiction.
- Above 320 WPM: possible with familiar prose, skimming, or readers who have a high baseline.
The rate alone cannot tell you whether someone read for gist, studied the argument, or retained the details. Ask what the reader understood.
How to measure your reading speed
- Choose an unread passage between 800 and 1,200 words.
- Use material that matches your normal reading, such as a novel or report.
- Start a timer and read at a comfortable pace.
- Stop at the end and record the time in seconds.
- Calculate your WPM with the formula below.
WPM = word count × 60 ÷ reading time in seconds
A 900-word passage read in 225 seconds gives 240 WPM: 900 × 60 ÷ 225 = 240.
Run three tests on different days and use the middle score. One session can shift with fatigue, background noise, or an easy passage.
Add a comprehension score
Before you reopen the passage, answer five questions:
- Who or what is the passage about?
- What main claim does the author make?
- Which detail supports that claim?
- What changed from the start to the end?
- Which term or idea needs another look?
Give yourself one point for each answer supported by the text. Record WPM with the score, such as 245 WPM at four out of five. The pair gives you a baseline you can train.
Why your reading speed changes
Text difficulty
New vocabulary, long sentences, equations, and unfamiliar concepts slow processing. Prior knowledge helps you connect new information to a structure you already hold.
Reading purpose
Scanning for a date can exceed your normal reading rate. Studying a proof can cut it. Both rates fit their purpose.
Presentation format
A normal page supports scanning and rereading. RSVP sets a consistent pace and keeps words near one focus point. Use the same format when you compare two practice sessions.
Attention and environment
Notifications, noise, and fatigue add stops that a WPM score captures. Record the setting beside your result if you want to compare sessions.
Common questions
What is the average adult reading speed?
A large meta-analysis estimated 238 WPM for English nonfiction and 260 WPM for English fiction among adults.
Is 300 words per minute fast?
Three hundred WPM sits near the upper end of the 175 to 300 range reported for many adults reading English nonfiction. Comprehension and text difficulty determine whether the pace works.
How do I calculate reading speed?
Divide the number of words read by the number of minutes spent reading. Follow the timing test with questions or a summary.
Research source
- How many words do we read per minute? A review and meta-analysis of reading rate
Marc Brysbaert, Journal of Memory and Language, 2019.
Once you have a baseline, try our beginner speed reading exercises or learn how to pair pace with recall.