Reading Speed Test
Find out how many words per minute you read — with a comprehension check, in under two minutes.
How it works
- Read a short passage (256 words) at your normal pace.
- Answer 4 quick questions about what you read.
- Get your WPM score and comprehension percentage.
Read normally — racing through the text will show up in your comprehension score.
What is a good reading speed?
Most adults read 200–250 words per minute (WPM) with solid comprehension. College students, who read more regularly, tend to land between 250 and 350 WPM. Speeds above 500 WPM with maintained comprehension are rare in traditional page reading — but far more achievable with RSVP (Rapid Serial Visual Presentation), which shows words one at a time so your eyes never have to move.
| Reader | Typical speed (WPM) |
|---|---|
| Elementary school student | 80–150 |
| Average adult | 200–250 |
| College student | 250–350 |
| High-performing reader | 350–500 |
| Trained RSVP reader | 500–1,000+ |
How this test works
The test times how long you take to read a passage of known length, then divides the word count by your reading time to calculate words per minute. The four comprehension questions matter just as much as the speed number: reading 600 WPM with 25% comprehension is skimming, not reading. Aim for 75% or better.
Once you know your baseline, try our free RSVP speed reader to train past it, or use the reading time calculator to see how long books and documents will take you at your speed.