How to Figure Out Your Reading Speed

Calculating your reading speed involves a few simple steps.

Calculating your reading speed can be helpful if you are trying to improve your reading speed or if you want to estimate how long it will take you to read a book or assignment. Reading speeds are usually expressed in words per minute. The average adult reads about 300 words per minute while reading literature. Most people read more slowly when reading difficult material, such as textbooks, and more quickly in easy material, such as newspapers. Improving your reading speed makes reading easier and more fun.

Things You'll Need

• Book
• Calculator
• Timer
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Find an average line of text in your book. Don't choose a line that's indented or short (such as dialogue). Count the letters, spaces and punctuation marks in the line. Divide this number by five to find the average number of words per line in the book.

2. Make a mark at the line where you are beginning to read. If you're just starting the book, this should be the first page. Set your timer for one minute and begin to read. After one minute, make a mark at the line where you finish reading.

3. Count the lines between your first and second marks. Multiply the number of lines by the average number of words per line to find your reading speed in words per minute. For example, if there are eight words per line on average and you read 42 lines, your reading speed is about 336 words per minute.

References

• Boston University: Class Manual and Workbook
• Western Michigan University: Increasing Your Reading Rate