How many words do we read per minute? A review and meta-analysis of reading rate

“For instance, audiobooks are spoken at a rate of 140 –180 wpm.” (Discussion, on why reading is faster than listening)

“Fixation durations average around 200 to 250 milliseconds (4 to 5 per second)” (Section on eye movement research, bulleted rough estimates)

“The average oral reading rate (based on 77 studies and 5,965 participants) is 183 wpm.” (Abstract)

“reading rates of more than 1,000 words per minute (wpm) are impossible without severe loss of text understanding” (Section on speed reading claims, first paragraph)

“we estimate that the average silent reading rate for adults in English is 238 words per minute (wpm) for non-fiction and 260 wpm for fiction” (Abstract)

“we estimate that the average silent reading rate for adults in English is 238 words per minute (wpm) for non-fiction and 260 wpm for fiction.” (Abstract)

“Reading rates are lower for children, old adults, and readers with English as second language.” (Abstract)

“the total capacity of the language system is twice the speech rate (300 wpm instead of 150 wpm)” (Discussion, on why reading is faster than listening)

“even with easy material, 500 wpm is very fast reading” (Section on early reading rate studies, quoting Tinker (1958, p. 219))