How Long Does It Take to Read 500 Words?
Reading time for 500 words depends on your reading speed. Here are the exact times at slow, average and fast reading speeds.
Average Reader
2 minutes
250 words per minute
Fast Reader
3 minutes 8 seconds
400 words per minute
Slow Reader
4 minutes 10 seconds
150 words per minute
Quick Answer
It takes approximately 2 minutes to read 500 words at the average reading speed of 250 words per minute. At a fast reading speed of 400 WPM it takes 3 minutes 8 seconds. At a slow reading speed of 150 WPM it takes 4 minutes 10 seconds.
Reading Speed Reference Chart
| Reading Speed | Words Per Minute | Time for 500 Words |
|---|---|---|
| Very slow | 100 WPM | 5 minutes |
| Slow | 150 WPM | 4 minutes 10 seconds |
| Average | 250 WPM | 2 minutes |
| Fast | 400 WPM | 3 minutes 8 seconds |
| Speed reader | 700 WPM | 1 minutes |
What Can You Read in 500 Words?
500 words is roughly the length of a short news article or a detailed email. 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 500 words out loud?
Reading aloud is slower than silent reading. The average speaking pace is 130 to 150 words per minute. At 140 WPM, 500 words takes approximately 4 minutes to read aloud. This is useful for speeches, podcasts and audiobook estimates.
How many pages is 500 words?
In a standard document with Times New Roman 12pt double spacing, 500 words is approximately 2 pages. Single spaced it is about 1 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, 500 divided by 250 equals 2.0 minutes. Use our free reading time calculator to get instant results for any text.