1-Minute Reading Speed Test

Discover How Fast You Really Read

Most of us have no clue how fast we actually read.

Here's something interesting: The average adult reads between 200 and 400 words per minute. But here's the kicker — you might be crushing that average or lagging behind without even knowing it. The Headway reading speed test gives you a clear answer in just 60 seconds.

Want to know where you stand?

• Take one minute to see your true reading potential and reading rate
• Read naturally without rushing or forcing speed
• Get instant feedback on your words per minute (WPM) score
• Compare yourself to the average reader and spot room for growth

How it works

1. Take just one minute to uncover your true reading potential. You'll see a short text appear on your screen — nothing fancy, just regular reading passages like what you'd find in a book or article.
2. Hit the start button and read the text at your natural pace — no need to rush or overthink it. Just stay focused and read like you usually would. Some people skim, while others take their time with every word. Do what feels right for you.
3. When you finish reading, hit the "Finish reading" button. That's it. You'll instantly see your WPM score pop up on the screen. No waiting, no calculations — just your test results, right there.
4. Now comes the fun part. Compare your results to the average reading speed and see where you stand. Are you ahead of the pack? Right in the middle? Or do you have some serious room to grow? Either way, knowing your baseline gives you something tangible to work with.

Reading speed scale

Not sure what your score means? Here's the breakdown based on the number of words read per minute.

• Slow: <200 WPM
  You're taking your time with each word. Nothing wrong with that — some material needs careful attention. If this is your first time taking a speed reading test, you might be surprised by your reading level. But if you're reading everything at this pace, you might want to work on picking up speed for lighter content.
• Average: 200–400 WPM
  You're right in the sweet spot with most readers. This range works fine for articles, emails, and casual reading. The good readers typically fall into this category because they balance speed with good comprehension. If you want to read more books or get through work documents faster, there's definitely room to improve.
• Fast: >400 WPM
  You're cruising through text faster than most people. Speed readers often clock in above this mark. This kind of reading efficiency helps you consume more information in less time. Just make sure that you're actually retaining what you read — speed without reading comprehension doesn't count.

How this test helps you improve your reading speed

Knowing your reading speed isn't just about bragging rights. It shows you exactly where you're starting from, which matters more than you'd think.

Let's say that you test your reading speed today and clock in at 250 WPM. That's your baseline. Now you know what you're working with. If you start practicing efficient reading techniques or switching up your reading habits, you can test again in a few weeks and actually see if you've improved. No guessing involved.

Here's where it gets practical. If you're slow, you might realize you're dealing with subvocalization — mentally pronouncing every word as you read. That habit kills your speed. Or maybe you're backtracking constantly, re-reading sentences because you lost focus. Once you spot these patterns in your reading skills, you can fix them.

Many people struggle with online reading because screens add distractions. Your reading fluency might be different when you're scrolling through articles versus holding a physical book. The test helps you understand your current reading level across various formats.

Want a shortcut? The Headway app gives you 15-minute book summaries that train your brain to process information faster. You're not just reading — you're absorbing key ideas quickly, which naturally speeds up how you handle text. Plus, shorter reads mean that you stay focused instead of zoning out halfway through a chapter.

Think of it like this: If you read 200 WPM and bump that up to 300 WPM, you're reading 50% faster. That's an extra book every month without adding more time to your schedule. Not bad for a one-minute comprehension test.

What affects your reading speed

Your reading rate depends on more than just how fast your eyes move across the page. Several factors play into whether you're hitting a good reading speed or falling behind.

• Word count matters. Longer words naturally slow you down because they take more time to process. If you're reading technical content that's packed with jargon, your WPM will drop compared to simple, everyday language.
• Reading habits shape your speed over time. If you learned to read by sounding out words (like most of us did in high school), you might still be subvocalizing without realizing it. That inner voice slows down your reading rate significantly.
• Your reading level and familiarity with the topic also make a difference. Try reading a physics textbook versus a blog post about cooking. Your speed will shift based on how much background knowledge you bring to the material.
• Even your environment affects your test results. Distractions, poor lighting, or reading on a small screen can all drag down your WPM. The best way to gauge your reading efficiency accurately is to test in various settings and see what patterns emerge.

Boost your reading speed with Headway!

You've tested your speed. Now what? If you want to read more without spending hours glued to a book, Headway has your back.

Headway gives you 15-minute summaries of bestselling nonfiction books. That means you get the big ideas, the useful takeaways, and the stuff you'd actually remember — all without committing to a 300-page read. You're not skipping the good parts. You're just cutting out the fluff.

Here's how it helps your reading speed: When you read summaries regularly, your brain gets better at spotting key information fast. You start recognizing patterns in how authors structure their arguments. You learn to skim past filler and zero in on what matters. That skill transfers over to everything else you read.

Plus, you can listen to summaries while you're commuting, cooking, or winding down for the night. It's not technically reading, but it trains your brain to process information quickly — and that makes you a faster, sharper reader overall.

Start reading smarter today. Download Headway for book summaries that fit your life and help you build better reading habits.