Reading is a skill we often take for granted, but how quickly we read can vary widely depending on factors like comprehension, focus, and familiarity with the material.
If you’ve ever wondered how many pages the average person can read in an hour or how to boost your own reading speed, you’re in the right place.
In this article, we’ll explore the average reading speed.
In the end, we’ll also provide actionable tips to improve your reading efficiency while retaining comprehension.
How many pages does the average person read in an hour?
On average, most people read between 200 and 300 words per minute (WPM).
However, this varies significantly based on the type of material:
- Fiction or light reading: Readers may reach speeds closer to 300 WPM since the language is more straightforward, and there’s less need to stop and analyze.
- Non-fiction or academic reading: Speeds often drop to around 200 WPM because readers must absorb complex ideas, take notes, or pause to reflect.
To put this into perspective, consider the average number of words per page in a book:
- A standard novel has around 250-300 words per page.
- A dense academic textbook might have 400+ words per page due to smaller font sizes and complex layouts.
Given these averages, most people can read 40-50 pages of a light novel in an hour. For heavier material, this number may drop to 15-25 pages per hour.
4 factors that affect reading speed
Reading speed isn’t just about your eyes moving across the page. Instead, it’s influenced by several factors:
- Material complexity: A children’s book with large fonts and simple language is faster to read than a legal document or academic paper.
- Purpose of reading: Skimming for general understanding is faster than reading deeply to analyze or memorize.
- Reading environment: A quiet, distraction-free space helps you focus, while noise or interruptions can slow you down.
- Experience: Familiarity with the topic or genre can make reading faster and comprehension easier.
Why does reading speed matter?
Reading faster doesn’t just help you finish books quicker — it’s a skill that can benefit you academically, professionally, and personally.
As a matter of fact, faster readers can:
- Absorb large amounts of information in less time.
- Stay on top of coursework, research, or work-related materials.
- Free up more time for leisure reading or other activities.
But here’s the key: reading speed shouldn’t come at the cost of comprehension. If you’re reading faster but not retaining anything, the effort becomes pointless.
5 ways to improve your reading speed and comprehension
If you’d like to boost your reading pace without sacrificing understanding, here are 5 actionable tips to help you get there.
1. Avoid subvocalization
Subvocalization is the habit of silently “saying” the words in your head as you read. While it’s natural for many readers, it limits your speed to how quickly you can speak.
To reduce subvocalization:
- Use your finger or a pen to guide your eyes across the page, helping you focus on larger chunks of text instead of individual words.
- Practice skipping filler words (like “the” or “and”) to train your brain to process ideas rather than every single word.
2. Expand your peripheral vision
Did you know you can train your eyes to take in more words at once?
Instead of reading word by word, aim to process groups of 3-4 words at a time.
How to practice:
- Use a piece of paper to block the right-hand side of the page and try to capture phrases or sentences in a single glance.
- Gradually increase the number of words you’re able to “capture” with each look.
This technique is especially helpful for those who want to increase the speed of reading scientific texts.
3. Use active reading strategies
Active reading keeps your mind engaged, improving both speed and comprehension.
Some strategies to try include:
- Previewing the text: Skim headings, subheadings, and summaries before diving into the full content.
- Asking questions: Before reading, think about what you want to learn or take away from the material.
- Highlighting or annotating: Mark key points to avoid rereading unnecessary sections later.
For further active reading strategies, check out this quick and effective guide.
4. Practice speed reading exercises
Speed reading is a skill that can be trained with regular practice. Several tools and exercises can help, including:
- Reading apps: Tools like Spreeder or AccelaReader present text one word or phrase at a time, training you to read faster.
- Timed challenges: Use a stopwatch to time how many pages you can read in 5 minutes, then challenge yourself to gradually improve.
Start with lighter material before progressing to denser texts.
5. Improve your focus and eliminate distractions
Your reading speed naturally slows down when you’re distracted or unfocused.
Create an environment that supports deep concentration:
- Find a quiet space with minimal interruptions.
- Turn off notifications on your phone or computer.
- Set a timer for focused reading sessions (e.g., 25 minutes of reading followed by a 5-minute break).
Staying focused ensures that every minute you spend reading is productive.
Balancing speed and comprehension
Now, here’s one more thing I want you to keep in mind:
While reading speed is an impressive skill, comprehension should always come first.
Faster reading isn’t beneficial if you miss key details or struggle to retain information.
When practicing these techniques, pay attention to your understanding of the material. If your speed improves but comprehension suffers, slow down and adjust your approach.
Conclusion: Reading faster, smarter, and with purpose
So, how many pages can the average person read in an hour?
It depends on the material, focus, and reading habits, but most people read about 40-50 pages of light text or 15-25 pages of dense material in 60 minutes.
If you’re looking to boost your reading speed, the strategies above can help you cover more ground without sacrificing comprehension.
Whether you’re tackling textbooks, novels, or professional documents, reading faster and smarter can free up time for what matters most.
After all, reading isn’t a race, right?
The goal of reading is growth, understanding, and enjoying the journey. That’s why I encourage you to start with small improvements and watch how they transform your reading experience over time.