Formula
Reading time = words ÷ reading speed (words per minute)Speaking time = words ÷ speaking speed How it works
A word here is any run of letters or digits. Contractions like "don't" and hyphenated compounds like "well-known" count as one word, which matches how most word processors and school assignments count. Punctuation, emoji and stray symbols are not words.
Sentences end at a period, question mark, exclamation mark or ellipsis followed by a space, or at a line break. Paragraphs are blocks separated by a blank line. Abbreviations such as "e.g." can add an extra sentence now and then, so treat the sentence count as a close estimate.
Reading and speaking times use the speeds you set. Silent reading of everyday prose averages roughly 240 words per minute, while a relaxed talk runs closer to 130–150. Slow the speaking speed down if your audience is non-native or the topic is technical.
Everything is counted in your browser as you type. Your text is never uploaded or stored.
Frequently asked questions
How many pages is 1,000 words?
About two pages single-spaced or four pages double-spaced in a 12-point font with standard margins. Font, spacing and headings change this a lot.
Do numbers count as words?
Yes. "2025" or "42" each count as one word, the same as in Microsoft Word and Google Docs.
Why does my word processor show a slightly different number?
Editors disagree on edge cases such as URLs, slashes ("and/or") and em-dashes without spaces. Differences are usually under one percent.