Why Reading Time Matters

Displaying estimated reading time has become a standard feature on blogs, news sites, and content platforms. It sets reader expectations, improves user experience, and helps content creators optimize their work for engagement. Medium popularized this feature, and it's now expected on most content-heavy websites.

The Science of Reading Speed

Reading speed varies significantly based on several factors:

Factor	Impact on Speed	Typical Range
Age	Children read slower, adults peak in 30s-40s	100-300 WPM
Education Level	Higher education correlates with faster reading	150-280 WPM
Content Complexity	Technical content slows reading 30-50%	100-200 WPM
Familiarity	Known topics read faster than new ones	±50 WPM
Purpose	Skimming is 3x faster than careful reading	200-700 WPM
Device	Screen reading is 20-30% slower than print	150-220 WPM

Reading Speed by Reader Type

Optimal Content Length by Format

Content Type	Ideal Length	Reading Time	Why This Works
News article	400-800 words	2-4 min	Quick updates, breaking news
Blog post	1,500-2,500 words	7-12 min	Sweet spot for SEO and engagement
Long-form article	3,000-5,000 words	15-25 min	Deep dives, pillar content
Email newsletter	200-500 words	1-2 min	Respects inbox attention
Landing page	500-1,000 words	2-5 min	Enough to convert, not overwhelm

The "7-Minute" Rule

Research from Medium and other platforms suggests that 7 minutes is the optimal reading time for maximum engagement. Here's why:

• Long enough to provide substantial value
• Short enough to finish in one sitting
• Approximately 1,750 words at average speed
• Matches typical attention span for online content

Reading Time and User Behavior

Understanding reading time helps predict user behavior:

Implementing Reading Time on Your Site

Most platforms and CMS systems can calculate and display reading time:

// JavaScript implementation
function calculateReadingTime(text, wpm = 200) {
    const words = text.trim().split(/\s+/).length;
    const minutes = Math.ceil(words / wpm);
    return minutes + ' min read';
}

// Include in template (pseudocode)
<span class="reading-time">
    [[ calculateReadingTime(content) ]]
</span>

Speaking Time vs. Reading Time

Speaking is typically slower than reading:

• Conversational pace: 120-150 words per minute
• Presentation pace: 100-130 words per minute
• Podcast/Audiobook: 150-160 words per minute

Use speaking time estimates for video scripts, podcast outlines, and presentation planning.