How long does it take to read 10,000 words?
42 min 1 sec at the average adult reading speed of 238 words per minute.
Reading aloud, it takes about 1 hr 11 min. For long texts, breaks add up: most people pause every 20–30 minutes.
| Reader | Speed | Time for 10,000 words |
|---|---|---|
| Early reader | 100 wpm | 1 hr 40 min |
| Reading aloud | 140 wpm | 1 hr 11 min |
| Careful / study | 175 wpm | 57 min 9 sec |
| Average adult | 238 wpm | 42 min 1 sec |
| Fiction, average | 260 wpm | 38 min 28 sec |
| Fast reader | 300 wpm | 33 min 20 sec |
| Skimming | 450 wpm | 22 min 13 sec |
10,000 words in pages
At about 500 words per single-spaced page (12-point Times New Roman, 1-inch margins) that is 20 pages, or 40 pages double-spaced. Convert other lengths with the words to pages tool.
For a speech
Delivered aloud at a conversational 140 wpm, 10,000 words runs about 1 hr 11 min. The speech time calculator lets you set your own pace.
Check a different length
Want a personal estimate? Take the 60-second reading speed test and your speed appears here as an option.
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Questions people ask
How long does it take to read 10,000 words?
About 42 min 1 sec at the average adult silent reading speed of 238 words per minute, or 1 hr 11 min reading aloud at 140 wpm.
How many pages is 10,000 words?
About 20 single-spaced pages or 40 double-spaced pages in a 12-point font with 1-inch margins.
How long is a 10,000-word speech?
About 1 hr 11 min at a conversational speaking pace of 140 wpm, or 1 hr 30 min if you speak slowly.