How long does it take to read The Chimes?
The Chimes by Charles Dickens is 30,710 words long. At an average reading speed of 250 words per minute, it takes about 2 hours 3 minutes to read: an evening or two.
Reading time at your speed
Reading speed varies more than most people expect: the gap between a slow and a fast reader is more than double. Find your row, or take the reading speed test to get your real number first.
| Reading speed | Words per minute | Time to finish |
|---|---|---|
| Slowcareful reading, or reading in a second language | 150 wpm | 3 hours 25 minutes |
| Below averageunhurried, easily distracted, or a dense text | 200 wpm | 2 hours 34 minutes |
| Averagewhat most adults read at | 250 wpm | 2 hours 3 minutes |
| Fasta confident, practised reader | 325 wpm | 1 hour 34 minutes |
| Very fastskimming, or very familiar material | 400 wpm | 1 hour 17 minutes |
If English is your second language, expect to read a little below your usual speed on a classic like this one.
How long if you read a bit each day?
Almost nobody reads a novel in one sitting. Here is how The Chimes breaks down at an average 250 wpm, depending on how much time you give it each day.
| Reading a day | Days to finish | That is |
|---|---|---|
| 10 minutes | 13 days | about a week |
| 15 minutes | 9 days | about a week |
| 30 minutes | 5 days | 5 days |
| 60 minutes | 3 days | 3 days |
How long is each chapter?
The Chimes has 4 chapters, averaging 7,678 words, about 31m each. The longest is —First Quarter. at 34m; the shortest is —Fourth Quarter. at 29m. Useful if you read a chapter a night.
Chapter times at 250 wpm.
You could start The Chimes tonight
Read it free online, no account needed. 4 chapters, tap any word to look it up, and a short quiz at the end.
Common questions
How long does it take to read The Chimes?
The Chimes is 30,710 words long. At an average adult reading speed of 250 words per minute that is about 2 hours 3 minutes. A slower reader at 150 wpm needs around 3 hours 25 minutes; a fast reader at 400 wpm finishes in roughly 1 hour 17 minutes.
How many words is The Chimes?
The Chimes is 30,710 words across 4 chapters, which is an evening or two. Of the 39 classics on ReadClassicly, 25 are longer and 13 are shorter.
Can I read The Chimes in a day?
Yes. At an average speed it takes about 2 hours 3 minutes, so The Chimes is comfortably a one-day read: an afternoon, or an evening if you don't stop.
Is The Chimes hard to read?
At CEFR level B1-B2, The Chimes is approachable, and a confident intermediate reader can handle it. You can read it free at ReadClassicly and tap any word you don't know to look it up, which keeps a harder classic from stalling you.
Reading a classic to learn English?
ReadClassicly has a free plan for English reading for beginners: graded classic stories with tap-to-define words, audio, and a short quiz after each one. Start at your level and build up to full books like this one. If you are just starting, begin with the short English stories for beginners.