Reading Time for Blog Posts
Calculate accurate reading time estimates for blog articles to add reading time badges and set reader expectations.
Average speeds: Adults read at 200–250 wpm silently. Audiobooks are narrated at 120–150 wpm. Speed readers can reach 500–700 wpm with comprehension drop-off.
Medium articles: ~1,200 words (~5 min). Long-form: ~2,500 words (~10 min). Books average 70,000–90,000 words (~5–6 hours at 250 wpm).
Blog tips
The average adult reads 238 words per minute (WPM). A 1,200-word blog post takes about 5 minutes — the sweet spot for engagement.
Articles with a reading time badge see 40% higher engagement. Readers who know how long something takes are more likely to start reading.
Aim for 1,500–2,000 words (6–8 min) for comprehensive how-to posts and pillar content. Keep quick-answer posts under 800 words (3 min).
SEO research shows articles of 1,600–2,000 words tend to rank highest for informational queries. The reading time estimate here will match.
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