2026-05-31 · 1 min read
Word count and reading time for editors
Count words first, then estimate reading time with an explicit words-per-minute assumption.
writingCMSSEO
Key takeaways
- Technical docs often use 200–220 WPM; marketing landing pages may use 150–180 WPM.
- Recount per locale—translated posts rarely match source word counts.
Recommended editor flow
Run Word Counter on the draft, copy the count into your ticket, then open Reading Time Calculator.
Store WPM in the ticket so future edits stay comparable.
FAQ
Which WPM should I use?
Pick a house style and document it in your CMS guidelines.
Do code blocks count?
Most counters include them; strip fences if you need prose-only counts.