How is reading speed calculated?

English speed is the number of space-separated words divided by the minutes between clicking Start reading and I’m done. For Chinese, Chinese characters are counted, with any embedded English words or numbers counted as one each. Because speed alone rewards skimming, the tool multiplies it by your quiz score to give an effective reading speed, which better reflects how efficiently you read.

What is a normal reading speed?

Research puts the average adult silent reading speed for English non-fiction at roughly 240 words per minute, a bit higher for fiction. Chinese silent reading is commonly around 300–500 characters per minute. The bands here are rough guides only: difficulty, purpose and whether you’re reading in your first language all change the numbers. A high speed with comprehension under 60% usually means skimming.

Does RSVP speed reading work?

Rapid serial visual presentation shows one word or phrase at a time in a fixed spot, so your eyes don’t move or jump back. It’s useful for practising focus and finding a faster rhythm, but studies show comprehension drops at very high speeds and you can’t glance back at earlier text. Treat it as training and read important material normally.

Are my results uploaded?

No. Timing, scoring and history all happen in your browser, and history is stored in localStorage on this device; you can clear it at any time. Impossibly fast results — usually from clicking done without reading — aren’t saved.

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👓Reading Speed Test - WPM, Comprehension Quiz & Speed Reader

How many words per minute do you read, and how much do you take in at that pace? This test uses original passages written for this site — six in English and six in Chinese, across easy, medium and hard levels, covering stories, science and essays. Click Start reading to reveal the passage and start the timer, then click I’m done as soon as you finish. The passage disappears and you answer four or five multiple-choice questions, with option order shuffled every time. Results show your reading speed (words per minute, or characters per minute for Chinese), your comprehension score, and an effective speed equal to speed × comprehension, with your position on a band chart compared with typical adult readers (about 240 WPM for silent reading of English non-fiction). Each question is reviewed with the correct answer. Results are kept in your browser’s history so you can track your best effective speed. There’s also an RSVP speed-reading trainer: paste any text and words flash one after another in the same spot at the pace you choose, optionally in chunks, with the optimal recognition point highlighted in red. Everything runs locally.

Free · No sign-up · Runs in your browserLast updated: 2026-10-26

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How to use Reading Speed Test

1Choose English or Chinese, pick a passage and click Start reading
2Read as you normally would, click I’m done, then answer the questions from memory
3Review your speed, comprehension, effective speed and comparison bands, or practise in the RSVP trainer

FAQ

How is reading speed calculated?: English speed is the number of space-separated words divided by the minutes between clicking Start reading and I’m done. For Chinese, Chinese characters are counted, with any embedded English words or numbers counted as one each. Because speed alone rewards skimming, the tool multiplies it by your quiz score to give an effective reading speed, which better reflects how efficiently you read.
What is a normal reading speed?: Research puts the average adult silent reading speed for English non-fiction at roughly 240 words per minute, a bit higher for fiction. Chinese silent reading is commonly around 300–500 characters per minute. The bands here are rough guides only: difficulty, purpose and whether you’re reading in your first language all change the numbers. A high speed with comprehension under 60% usually means skimming.
Does RSVP speed reading work?: Rapid serial visual presentation shows one word or phrase at a time in a fixed spot, so your eyes don’t move or jump back. It’s useful for practising focus and finding a faster rhythm, but studies show comprehension drops at very high speeds and you can’t glance back at earlier text. Treat it as training and read important material normally.
Are my results uploaded?: No. Timing, scoring and history all happen in your browser, and history is stored in localStorage on this device; you can clear it at any time. Impossibly fast results — usually from clicking done without reading — aren’t saved.