Reading Speed Test
Find your words per minute in about two minutes, with a comprehension check so the number actually means something.
You will read a short passage (~204 words), then answer three questions about it. Your speed only counts if you actually understood what you read, so read normally.
What the average really is
The most careful estimate of adult reading speed comes from a 2019 meta-analysis by Marc Brysbaert covering 190 studies and more than 18,000 participants: about 238 words per minute for silent non-fiction reading, and roughly 260 wpm for fiction. Wide individual variation is normal, and speed always depends on the text: a familiar blog post reads faster than a dense paper.
Speed without comprehension is just page turning, which is why this test asks questions before it shows your number. If you want the evidence on why most speed-reading claims fail, we cover it in The Speed Reading Myth, and if the real goal is remembering what you read, capturing highlights as you go beats rereading: see How to Remember What You Read.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good reading speed?
The best available estimate for adults reading non-fiction silently is about 238 words per minute, from Brysbaert's 2019 meta-analysis of 190 studies. Fiction runs slightly faster at around 260 wpm. Anything in the 200 to 300 wpm range with good comprehension is normal.
Can people really read 1,000 words per minute?
Not with full comprehension. Controlled studies find that very high speeds come from skimming, which trades understanding for pace. Claims of tripling reading speed without losing comprehension have not survived testing.
How accurate is this test?
It measures your pace on one short passage with a comprehension check, so treat the number as an estimate, not a diagnosis. Reading speed varies with the text's difficulty, your familiarity with the topic, and how tired you are.
How can I read faster without losing comprehension?
Practice changing gears: skim to decide what deserves attention, then read the important parts fully. Reading more overall, building vocabulary in your field, and capturing key lines as highlights so you never need to reread whole pages all help more than eye-movement tricks.