How Fast Can I Read?
Test your reading speed with this word-by-word display
How do you compare?
How does this work?
This tool uses a technique called Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP). Instead of reading words on a page, each word is shown to you one at a time in the same spot. This eliminates the time your eyes normally spend moving across a line of text.
Start at the default speed of 250 words per minute, which is the average adult reading speed. If it feels comfortable, slide the speed up. If you're losing comprehension, slow it down. The sweet spot where you can still understand everything is your reading speed.
About Reading Speed
What is a normal reading speed?
The average adult reads at about 200-250 words per minute. College students typically read at 200-300 WPM. If you can comfortably read above 300 WPM, you're faster than most people.
Can I improve my reading speed?
Yes! With practice, most people can increase their speed by 50-100 WPM while maintaining comprehension. The key is regular practice and pushing just slightly beyond your comfort zone. Reading more in general also helps naturally.
Does speed reading reduce comprehension?
At very high speeds (600+ WPM), most people will lose some comprehension. The goal isn't to read as fast as possible, but to find the fastest speed at which you still understand and enjoy what you're reading.
Why is word-by-word reading different?
When reading normally, about 20% of your time is spent on eye movements (saccades) between words and lines. RSVP eliminates this by keeping your eyes fixed in one spot, which is why many people can read faster this way than on a printed page.