Speed Reader

Paste any block of text, set a words-per-minute target, and Speed Reader flashes each word at the center of the screen in rapid succession — a technique called rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP). Instead of letting your eyes wander across a line, you read a single fixed point, which cuts down on the time most readers spend on subconscious back-tracking. The default cap sits at 500 WPM, noticeably faster than the average reading pace of around 250.

It works well for articles, essays, or anything you'd normally skim. Paste the text, nudge the speed slider until it feels challenging but comfortable, and hit play. There's nothing else to configure, which is the point. If you're curious about the broader category of productivity tools, there are plenty of other focused utilities worth exploring. If you'd rather test how fast your fingers move instead of your eyes, Typing Speed Test covers similar ground from the other direction.

A laptop or desktop works best here — reading a rapid word stream on a small phone screen can feel cramped when the surrounding context disappears entirely between flashes.