Calculate your reading speed in WPM and comprehension level. Track your performance and improve your reading efficiency.
If you took a comprehension test, enter your score. Otherwise, leave at 100%.
Reading speed is measured in words per minute (WPM), calculated by dividing the total number of words read by the time taken in minutes. However, speed alone doesn't tell the full story - comprehension is equally important. Effective reading speed combines both speed and understanding to measure true reading efficiency.
WPM: Total words ÷ (Time in seconds ÷ 60)
Effective WPM: Reading WPM × (Comprehension % ÷ 100)
Comprehension is typically measured through questions about the text, with 70%+ considered good understanding.
Effective reading balances speed with comprehension - reading faster with poor understanding isn't productive.
Subvocalization is silently pronouncing words in your head while reading. While some is natural, excessive subvocalization limits speed to speaking pace (150-250 WPM). Practice reading faster than you can speak to reduce this habit.
Use your finger, pen, or cursor to guide your eyes along lines of text. This reduces regression (re-reading) and helps maintain consistent forward movement, potentially increasing speed by 25-50%.
Train your eyes to capture more words per fixation. Instead of reading word-by-word, practice reading in chunks of 3-5 words. This reduces eye movements and significantly increases reading speed.
Read daily for at least 20-30 minutes. Start with easier material and gradually increase difficulty. Track your progress weekly to stay motivated and identify improvement areas.
Complex vocabulary, technical jargon, and dense concepts naturally slow reading speed. Familiarity with the subject matter significantly impacts how quickly you can process information.
Skimming for main ideas allows 600-1000+ WPM, while studying for retention requires 100-200 WPM. Adjust your speed based on your goal - not all reading requires the same pace.
Font size, line spacing, and text width affect reading speed. Optimal line length is 50-75 characters, and adequate spacing reduces eye strain and improves reading efficiency.
Good lighting, comfortable seating, and minimal distractions improve both speed and comprehension. Digital screens may slow reading by 20-30% compared to print for some people.
Read groups of words together rather than individual words. Train your peripheral vision to capture 3-5 words per eye fixation, reducing the number of stops your eyes make per line.
Skim for main ideas by reading first and last sentences of paragraphs. Scan for specific information by moving eyes quickly down the page looking for keywords or phrases.
Use your finger or a pen to guide your eyes at a slightly faster pace than comfortable. This forces your brain to keep up and gradually increases your natural reading speed.
Quickly preview headings, subheadings, and summaries before reading. This primes your brain for the content and improves both speed and comprehension during the actual reading.