# Reading Time Calculator

URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/everyday-life/reading-time/
Last updated: 2026-10-25

> The reading time calculator works out how long it takes to read a book or document from its length and your reading speed – in pages or words – and how many days it takes at your daily reading time.

## Inputs

- Measure the book in
- Book length (pages)
- Book length (words)
- Reader type
- Custom speed (wpm)
- Words per page
- Reading per day (min)

## Results

- Total words
- Reading time
- Days to finish
- Pages per day

## Formula

```
Reading time = pages ÷ pages per minute (or words ÷ words per minute)
Days = reading time ÷ minutes per day
```

## Explanation

A 300-page novel takes the average adult about 8–9 hours to read. Knowing the total helps plan holiday reading, study for exams or set a pace for a book club.

### How to use the Reading Time Calculator

- **Measure the book in**
- **Book length (pages)**
- **Book length (words)**
- **Reader type**
- **Custom speed**
- **Words per page**
- **Reading per day**

Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.

### How it works

Choose pages or words, enter the length and your speed, and how long you read each day.

### Tips

- Time yourself on a few pages of a typical book to find your real reading speed.
- Small daily habits add up: 20 minutes a day is about 120 hours a year.
- Audiobooks at 1.25–1.5× speed are easy to follow for most listeners.
- Set a target in pages per day rather than books per month – books vary in length.

### Common mistakes to avoid

- Using speed-reading figures that sacrifice comprehension.
- Comparing books by page count when font and page size differ.
- Planning reading time you do not actually have every day.

### Inputs explained

FieldWhat to enterMeasure the book inChoose one: Pages, WordsBook length (pages)A numberBook length (words)A numberReader typeChoose one: Slow (≈ 150 wpm), Average (≈ 238 wpm), Quick (≈ 350 wpm), CustomCustom speedIn wpmWords per pageA numberReading per dayIn min

## Worked example

Inputs — Measure the book in: Pages; Book length (pages): 300; Book length (words): 80,000; Reader type: Average (≈ 238 wpm); Custom speed: 300 wpm; Words per page: 275; Reading per day: 30 min.

Results — Total words = 82,500; **Reading time = 5 h 47 min**; Days to finish = 12; Pages per day = 26.

## FAQ

**How long does it take to read a 300-page book?**
About 5–6 hours at 238 wpm with 275 words per page.

**How many words are in a typical novel?**
70,000–100,000; young-adult novels 50,000–80,000.

**How long to read 100 pages?**
Roughly 2 hours at an average pace.

**What formula does the Reading Time Calculator use?**
Reading time = pages ÷ pages per minute (or words ÷ words per minute).