How Google measures reading time
Google’s index uses roughly 130 words per minute for plain text and factors scroll behaviour too. Medium calculates at 238 wpm. Whichever you publish on, knowing your article’s true duration helps you plan structure and ad placement.
Average reading speeds
- Skimming: 400–700 wpm
- Casual adult reading: 200–250 wpm
- Focused study reading: 100–150 wpm
- Spending on a web page: only ~20% of words get read
Why reading time matters for SEO
Longer dwell time signals satisfaction. If your estimated read time is 6 minutes but analytics shows 40 seconds, your intro, headings or formatting are failing — not your topic. Break walls of text, add jump links, and put the answer first.
Speed up your own comprehension
- Preview headings before reading line-by-line.
- Read the conclusion first, then decide if the body adds value.
- Minimise subvocalising by tracking with your cursor.
Estimate your article’s read time
Drop your draft into the free Reading Time Calculator — it counts words and converts them to minutes at 238 wpm. Pair it with the Word Counter for character-level stats.
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