How to estimate reading time for a Markdown post
Add a "6 min read" estimate to your articles — how reading time is calculated, why 200 words per minute is the usual baseline, and where it misleads.
That "6 min read" label at the top of an article sets expectations and, studies suggest, nudges people to actually start reading. The Reading Time Calculator computes it from your Markdown, counting the prose and ignoring the syntax.
How it's calculated
The math is simple:
reading time = word count ÷ reading speed, rounded up to the minute.
The tool counts the prose (stripping Markdown marks, like the Word Counter) and divides by a reading speed. The standard baseline is 200 words per minute — a comfortable middle for adult silent reading of general text. Some sites use 225 or 250; 200 is the safe, slightly generous default.
Why it's an estimate, not a stopwatch
Reading speed varies with the material and the reader:
- Dense technical text reads slower — code, math, and unfamiliar terms make people pause.
- Casual prose reads faster.
- Skimmers move at several times the baseline; careful readers, slower.
Treat the number as a category — "quick read" vs "settle in" — not a promise.
Where to use it
- Blog posts and articles — set the expectation up front.
- Documentation — flag the long pages so readers can budget time.
- Newsletters — a read-time label lifts open-to-read rates.
A consistent choice
Pick one reading speed and use it everywhere on your site, so a "5 min read" means the same thing across articles. Consistency is what makes the label trustworthy.
Privacy
The calculation runs in your browser; nothing is uploaded.
Give readers an honest heads-up, and watch more of them begin.