Text & writing
What Affects Reading Speed?
Average reading speeds are useful for estimates, but no reader moves through every text at the same pace. The same person reads a familiar novel faster than a contract, and a skim faster than a careful study. This guide covers the main factors that make reading faster or slower, and what writers can do to keep reading effortless.
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The text itself
- Word length: longer words take longer to read. Brysbaert’s 2019 meta-analysis found that the difference in word length explains why fiction (260 words per minute on average) reads faster than non-fiction (238).
- Vocabulary: rare, technical, or unfamiliar words slow readers down, especially when they need to stop and work out a meaning.
- Sentence and paragraph structure: long sentences with nested clauses make readers hold more in mind before the meaning resolves.
- Density: text packed with numbers, names, or new concepts takes longer per word than narrative.
The reader
- Familiarity with the topic: background knowledge lets readers predict and skim confidently.
- Language: reading in a second language is usually slower than reading in a first language.
- Purpose: skimming for a specific answer is far faster than reading to understand, study, or proofread.
- Attention and fatigue: interruptions and tiredness reduce effective reading speed.
Format and device
- Headings, short paragraphs, and lists let readers find and skip content, which speeds up finding information even if it does not change reading speed per word.
- Very long or very short line lengths can make reading less comfortable.
- Small screens show fewer words at a time and require more scrolling.
- Tables, charts, code, and formulas are studied rather than read, so they take longer than their word count suggests.
What writers can control
- Prefer common, shorter words where they are just as precise.
- Keep most sentences to one idea, and vary their length.
- Break long passages with clear headings and paragraph breaks.
- Define necessary technical terms the first time they appear.
- Put the key point first so readers who skim still get it.
What Affects Reading Speed FAQ
- Why is fiction faster to read than non-fiction?
- Largely because fiction uses shorter words on average. Brysbaert’s meta-analysis estimated 260 words per minute for fiction and 238 for non-fiction in English.
- Does skimming count as reading speed?
- Not in reading-time estimates. Those assume the text is read in full; skimming for specific information can be many times faster but leaves most of the text unread.
- Do people read more slowly in a second language?
- Usually, yes. Less familiar vocabulary and grammar mean more time spent recognizing words and working out meaning.
- Does formatting change reading speed?
- Formatting mostly changes how quickly readers find and navigate information. Clear headings, lists, and short paragraphs help readers get to what they need faster.
- Can I adjust a reading-time estimate for technical content?
- Yes, informally. Treat an average-based estimate as a minimum for dense or technical material and allow extra time for tables, code, or diagrams.
Related guides
- How Reading Time Is CalculatedThe reading-time formula, where the 238 words-per-minute average comes from, and how choosing 200, 238, or 250 words per minute changes a “min read” estimate.
- Reading vs. Speaking TimeWhy reading aloud (about 183 words per minute) is slower than silent reading (238), how many words fit a 1-, 5-, 10-, or 20-minute talk, and tips for writing scripts.
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