A clock for silent reading, not a speech
Blog platforms print “4 min read” so people decide whether to start. This calculator uses the same idea, but you choose the pace. Students proofing an essay should use slow. A newsletter audience is closer to average. The speaking chip is a rough talk length — punctuation pauses live on the dedicated speaking tool.
Word count still comes from splitting on whitespace, same as the Word Counter, so a 1,200-word post at 200 WPM is six minutes, not a rounded “5 min” guess.
When the estimate lies
Poetry, tables, and code blocks are “words” that nobody reads at 200 WPM. Legal text with 40-word sentences also slows people down. If Flesch ease is under 50, add a minute for a general audience even if the math says otherwise.
Frequently asked questions
Also useful: Speaking Time Calculator · Word Counter · Essay Word Counter