WhatIs.site Word Count & Reading Time Calculator
Free word count, character count, and reading time calculator with adjustable reading speed and Flesch-Kincaid grade level. Your text never leaves your browser.
Words
0
Characters
0
0 no spaces
Sentences
0
Reading time
0 min
Avg. word length
0 letters
Flesch-Kincaid grade
—
How to use this tool
Paste your text into the box above. The counts update as you type. The reading-time estimate uses the median adult silent reading speed of 238 words per minute (Brysbaert, 2019), but you can adjust the WPM for your audience.
Choosing a reading speed
- 150 WPM — slower readers, technical or unfamiliar content, ESL audiences
- 238 WPM — adult median for English non-fiction (default)
- 300 WPM — fast readers, light content
- 450+ WPM — speed readers or skimming
About Flesch-Kincaid
The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level estimates what US school grade can comfortably read your text. The formula: 0.39 × (words/sentences) + 11.8 × (syllables/words) − 15.59. General-audience writing typically targets grade 7–9. Academic writing routinely runs grade 12+. Your text length should be at least one full sentence for the grade level to be meaningful.
Frequently asked questions
How is reading time calculated?
We multiply the word count by an average reading speed in words per minute (WPM). The default is 238 WPM — the median adult silent reading rate across English-language studies. You can adjust the WPM to match your audience: 150 for slow readers, 300+ for skimmers.
What is the average reading speed?
For adults reading non-technical English prose, the median silent reading speed is about 238 words per minute (Brysbaert, 2019, meta-analysis of 190+ studies). Faster readers hit 300+ WPM; slower readers or technical content runs closer to 150 WPM.
What is the Flesch-Kincaid grade level?
A readability score that estimates the US school grade level needed to understand the text. It is computed from sentence length and average syllables per word. A score of 8 means the text is appropriate for an eighth grader. General-audience web writing usually targets grade 7–9.
Does my text get sent to a server?
No. All counting happens inside your browser — your text never leaves your device. Refresh the page and it is gone.
What counts as a word?
Sequences of letters, digits, apostrophes, and hyphens separated by whitespace or punctuation. "Don't" is one word. "Self-driving" is one word. Numbers count.
Try our other free tools or browse statistics roundups.