How to Use the Calculators to Evaluate Your Reading Speed

Step 1: Calculate Your Average Line

The Average Line Calculator helps you find the average number of words in a line for the book or text you are reading. Here's how:

1. I usually recommend that my students count the number of words in three full lines, but that applies to paperback or hardback books of fiction. Sometimes if the book has a larger format or has columns - I recommend counting words in 5-6 lines to be certain that the average line is accurate.
2. Count the number of words in three full lines from your book. (Or more if needed.)
   • Example: If the three lines have 10, 13, and 10 words, the total is 33 words.
3. Action Point: Use the Average Line Calculator above to calculate your average line.

4. Write down this number (your Average Line) somewhere handy—it will be used for all calculations when using that text. Keep in mind that you don't need to calculate this each time you exercise. Only when you start exercising in a new text or book.

Step 2: Count the Lines You Read in One Minute

Next, you’ll count how many lines you read from ‘A’ to ‘X’ - or Start to Finish - during a one-minute reading session. Here’s how:

1. Read for one minute and count the total lines you read.

2. Adjust for short lines:
   • Count two half-lines as one full line.
   • Count three very short lines as one full line.
3. Action Point: Write down the total number of lines you read in one minute.

Step 3: Calculate Your Words Per Minute (WPM)

Use the Words Per Minute Calculator to find out how fast you read. Here’s how:

1. Use the results from earlier:
   • Your AVERAGE LINE (Step 1)
   • The number of lines you read from A to X (Step 2)
2. Action Point: Use the Words Per Minute Calculator to calculate your WPM.

I highly encourage you to find out your WPM each time you do the exercise and write the results down each time to see how you are progressing. You can use this worksheet to monitor your results - PDF in button below - or your Google Docs link here!