How fast can you read?

Like the saying goes, time is of the essence. That’s why we’ve recently introduced the new Speed Read feature for mobile devices to help you read content quickly and with less effort.

This feature is currently only available for mobile devices. If you're viewing this article on a desktop computer, you won't be able to use it.

What Is It?

The Speed Read feature lessens the amount of time it takes for your eyes to move from word to word. By flashing one word at a time and highlighting a letter of each word, our eyes stay focused on the same area.

If you are on mobile, try it out: Tap the “Speed Read” tab above any article and set your pace. The average adult reads at about 300 words per minute. Try starting there and moving your way up!

How Does It Work?

Traditional reading methods require our eyes to constantly move back and forth. This movement is known as a “saccade.” It’s a laborious, automatic process that wastes time spent moving from word to word. Decreasing the number of times your eyes are moving helps you read content more efficiently.  

It might be a bit uncomfortable using it for the first time, but when we’re spending more time swiping across our smartphone screens to get to the information as opposed to reading it all in a single convenient window, we think you’ll agree that it’s pretty useful - especially if you're looking to get a smartwatch in the near future!

Let us know what you think about the new Speed Read feature by e-mailing [email protected] or by voting in the survey below.