How Long Does It Take to Read 800 Words?
3 min 22 sec
at average reading speed (238 wpm)
Average (238 wpm)
3 min 22 sec
Skimming (400 wpm)
2 min
Careful (150 wpm)
5 min 20 sec
Read Aloud (150 wpm)
5 min 20 sec
Reading 800 words at an average speed of 238 words per minute takes approximately 3 min 22 sec. If you are skimming for key information, it takes about 2 min. For careful study reading, allow 5 min 20 sec.
Reading Time by Speed
| Reading Style | Speed | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Skimming / Scanning | 400 wpm | 2 min |
| Average reading | 238 wpm | 3 min 22 sec |
| Careful / Study reading | 150 wpm | 5 min 20 sec |
| Reading aloud | 150 wpm | 5 min 20 sec |
| Speed reading (trained) | 600 wpm | 1 min 20 sec |
What Can You Read in This Time?
At 800 words, you are looking at the equivalent of:
- A short news article or blog post
- A single page of a textbook
- Approximately 3 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
- Content Marketing Institute — Research-backed content strategy and best practices
- Writer's Digest — Writing craft, publishing advice, and author resources
- Reedsy Blog — Book writing, publishing, and editing guides
- The Write Life — Practical writing career advice and tools
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Open Word CounterFrequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to read 800 words?
At an average reading speed of 238 words per minute, 800 words takes approximately 3 min 22 sec to read.
How long does it take to read 800 words aloud?
Reading 800 words aloud at a natural pace of 150 words per minute takes approximately 5 min 20 sec.
What is 800 words equivalent to?
800 words is approximately the length of a standard blog post or short article.
How fast can you skim 800 words?
Skimming 800 words at 400 wpm takes approximately 2 min, which is useful for scanning content for key information.