That "6 min read" label at the top of an article isn't guesswork — it's based on a simple formula using average adult reading speed, typically estimated around 200-250 words per minute for general web content.

The basic formula

Divide your total word count by your assumed reading speed. A 1,000-word article at 200 words per minute comes out to 5 minutes. Some tools adjust slightly for images or code blocks, which slow readers down, but the core math stays the same.

Why showing reading time helps

• Sets accurate expectations, which can reduce early bounce-offs
• Helps readers decide whether to read now or save for later
• Signals depth and effort, which can build trust before they even start reading

Get the number without doing math

Paste your draft into a word counter that reports estimated reading time automatically alongside your word and character counts, so you can add an accurate label to your post without manual calculation.