How Long Does It Take to Read 200 Words?

50 sec
at average reading speed (238 wpm)

Average (238 wpm)

50 sec

Skimming (400 wpm)

30 sec

Careful (150 wpm)

1 min 20 sec

Read Aloud (150 wpm)

1 min 20 sec

Reading 200 words at an average speed of 238 words per minute takes approximately 50 sec. If you are skimming for key information, it takes about 30 sec. For careful study reading, allow 1 min 20 sec.

Reading Time by Speed

Reading Style	Speed	Time
Skimming / Scanning	400 wpm	30 sec
Average reading	238 wpm	50 sec
Careful / Study reading	150 wpm	1 min 20 sec
Reading aloud	150 wpm	1 min 20 sec
Speed reading (trained)	600 wpm	20 sec

What Can You Read in This Time?

At 200 words, you are looking at the equivalent of:

A short news article or blog post
A single page of a textbook
Approximately 1 single-spaced pages

Tips for Faster Reading

Minimise subvocalisation (saying words in your head) to increase reading speed by 20 to 50 per cent.

Use a pointer (finger or pen) to guide your eyes across each line — this simple technique can boost speed by 25 per cent.

Preview the text first: read headings, first sentences, and bold text to build a mental framework before reading in detail.

External Resources

Reedsy Blog — Book writing, publishing, and editing guides
The Write Life — Practical writing career advice and tools
WikiHow — How-to guides for writing and content creation
Hemingway Editor — Free readability checker and writing clarity tool

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