Reading Speed Test
Read one passage the normal way, then one with the RSVP method. Two minutes. See both speeds side by side.
Pick a length.
You read 1.5x faster with the RSVP method, with the same comprehension.
Read this at your normal pace.
Press Start, read to the end, then press Done right away. Do not rush and do not skim. Read the way you would read an article.
Quick check.
A few questions about what you just read. No need to guess well, just answer.
Now try the RSVP method.
A new story at the same length. The words come to you one at a time, so your eyes never have to move. Keep them on the red letter. A three-second countdown starts you off, and a tap anywhere pauses.
Reading speed questions
What is the average reading speed?
Most adults read between 200 and 300 words per minute. 240 is a common average for non-fiction on a screen. College-level readers often reach 300 to 400 with good comprehension. See the guide on average reading speed.
How is words per minute calculated?
Words per minute is the number of words in the passage divided by the minutes you took to read it. A 210-word passage read in 50 seconds is 252 words per minute. The quiz checks that the speed came with understanding.
Why does the test have a quiz?
Speed without comprehension is skimming. The quiz asks a few concrete questions about the passage so you can compare speed and understanding for both reading modes. You can switch it off for a speed-only run.
What is RSVP reading?
RSVP stands for rapid serial visual presentation. Words appear one at a time in a fixed spot, so your eyes stay still and the words come to you. Most people read faster this way with the same comprehension. Read the guide to RSVP reading, or try it with your own text in the free reader.