Non-Fiction Benchmark
Biography / Memoir reading speed: average WPM and reading-time guide
The typical biography / memoir reading speed is about 250 WPM. This is a planning baseline. For better estimates, test your own speed and use it in the calculator.
Quick answer
Average biography / memoir reading speed is around 250 words per minute. A 3,000-word text takes about 12 minutes at this pace.
Why this speed is different
Life narratives — narrative non-fiction, moderate vocabulary.
Reading speed varies by text complexity, familiarity, fatigue, and reading goal. Use this value for baseline planning, not as a strict target.