Speed Reading, Made Simple
Read 2-3x faster with better focus - no course, no subscription. Test your speed, train with free bionic-reading tools, and take it everywhere with the free FastRead app.
Read faster on your phone
The free FastRead app turns any article, PDF or ebook into bionic text so you read faster with less effort. iPhone & Android.
Scan to get the app - opens the App Store on iPhone/iPad, Google Play on AndroidWhat is speed reading?
Speed reading is a handful of techniques that let you read faster while keeping comprehension: cutting the inner voice that slows you to talking speed, stopping the constant re-reading your eyes do automatically, and taking in several words per glance instead of one.
You don't need a $180/year course to do it. The modern shortcut is bionic reading, which bolds the first part of each word so your eyes lock onto anchor points and your brain fills in the rest - pulling your pace up without extra effort.
How to read faster: 5 techniques that work
Stop subvocalizing
Silently pronouncing every word caps you at speaking speed (~150 wpm). Bionic reading fixes your eyes on the bolded word-starts so your brain fills in the rest - no inner voice needed.
Cut regression
The average reader re-reads 30% of a page without noticing. A steady visual guide keeps your eyes moving forward so you stop backtracking.
Read in chunks
Take in 2-3 words per fixation instead of one. Bolded anchors train your eyes to jump in groups, widening how much you absorb per glance.
Use a pacer
A moving guide (your finger, or an RSVP tool that flashes words) pulls your eyes along at a set pace and quietly raises your ceiling over time.
Train, then test
Speed without comprehension is skimming. Practice on real text, then run a WPM + comprehension test so you push pace only as far as recall holds.
What's a good reading speed?
The average adult reads 200-250 words per minute. Here's how the levels stack up - and where a little training gets you.
Free speed reading tools
Train in your browser, then keep going in the app.
🚀 Bionic Reader
Bold word-anchors that pull your eyes faster
⏱️ Speed Test
Measure your WPM and comprehension
👁️ Focus Reader
Distraction-free, one-line-at-a-time reading
📖 Practice Texts
Curated passages to build the habit
📈 Reading Tracker
Watch your speed climb over time
🤖 AI Summarizer
Shorten long text before you read it
Speed reading FAQ
What is speed reading?
Speed reading is a set of techniques - reducing subvocalization and regression, reading in word-chunks, and using a pacer - that let you read noticeably faster while keeping comprehension. Modern apps like FastRead add bionic reading, which bolds the start of each word to guide your eyes.
How can I read faster?
Stop sounding out every word, stop re-reading, take in 2-3 words per glance, and use a visual pacer. The fastest way to build the habit is to read with a bionic reader or RSVP tool that trains your eyes automatically. Test your WPM first so you can see progress.
What is the average reading speed?
Most adults read 200-250 words per minute. Strong readers hit 300-400 wpm, and trained speed readers reach 500-700 wpm while keeping good comprehension. Run a free speed test to find your baseline.
Is speed reading free with FastRead?
Yes. The bionic reader, speed test, focus reader and practice texts are free on the web, and the FastRead app (iPhone and Android) is free to download so you can bionic-read articles, PDFs and ebooks anywhere.
Keep reading
Read faster everywhere with the app
Bionic-read any article, PDF or ebook on the go, save your library, and track your speed. Free to download.
Scan to get the app - opens the App Store on iPhone/iPad, Google Play on Android