The numbers our calculators use come from reading research — not round-number guesses. These guides explain where the figures come from, what they mean, and how to use them. Every claim links back to the studies on our sources & methodology page.
Adults read silently at about 238 words per minute but aloud at only 183. The gap comes down to one bottleneck — your mouth. Here's the research, and what it means for speeches, podcasts, and audiobooks.
6 min read
Speed-reading courses promise 1,000+ words per minute with full comprehension. The reading-science literature says that's not how the eye works. Here's what the evidence shows — and what genuinely does make you read faster.
7 min read
There is no single average reading speed — it climbs through childhood, peaks in adulthood around 238 words per minute, and eases off later in life. Here's what the research says, broken down by age, plus how first language affects the numbers.
6 min read
Studies consistently find people read screens roughly 20–30% slower than print, with a small comprehension cost. Here's why the gap exists, when it matters, and whether modern screens are closing it.
6 min read
Prefer to just get a number? Try the calculators these guides are built on.