How Long Does It Take to Read 40 000 Words?
Reading time for 40 000 words depends on your reading speed. Here are the exact times at slow, average and fast reading speeds.
Average Reader
2 hours 40 minutes
250 words per minute
Fast Reader
4 hours 10 minutes
400 words per minute
Slow Reader
5 hours 33 minutes
150 words per minute
Quick Answer
It takes approximately 2 hours 40 minutes to read 40 000 words at the average reading speed of 250 words per minute. At a fast reading speed of 400 WPM it takes 4 hours 10 minutes. At a slow reading speed of 150 WPM it takes 5 hours 33 minutes.
Reading Speed Reference Chart
| Reading Speed | Words Per Minute | Time for 40 000 Words |
|---|---|---|
| Very slow | 100 WPM | 400 minutes |
| Slow | 150 WPM | 5 hours 33 minutes |
| Average | 250 WPM | 2 hours 40 minutes |
| Fast | 400 WPM | 4 hours 10 minutes |
| Speed reader | 700 WPM | 57 minutes |
What Can You Read in 40 000 Words?
40 000 words is roughly the length of a short novel or a detailed business document. Use the reading time calculator to check any piece of content instantly.
Calculate Reading Time FreeFrequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to read 40 000 words out loud?
Reading aloud is slower than silent reading. The average speaking pace is 130 to 150 words per minute. At 140 WPM, 40 000 words takes approximately 286 minutes to read aloud. This is useful for speeches, podcasts and audiobook estimates.
How many pages is 40 000 words?
In a standard document with Times New Roman 12pt double spacing, 40 000 words is approximately 145 pages. Single spaced it is about 73 pages. Published books average 250 to 300 words per page.
Does reading speed affect comprehension?
Yes. Reading too fast reduces comprehension. The average reader retains about 60 to 70 percent of what they read at 250 WPM. Speed readers trading speed for comprehension may retain only 50 percent. For important material, read at a pace where you understand and retain 70 to 80 percent.
How do I calculate reading time for my content?
Divide your word count by 250 to get the reading time in minutes at average speed. For example, 40 000 divided by 250 equals 160.0 minutes. Use our free reading time calculator to get instant results for any text.