Online Reading Speed is 25% Slower than Print

According to Kelly Flint of Constant Contact, research shows that it takes 25% longer to read an online page than a print page. This is due to the flicker of monitors.

difficult reading

That’s important to you because if it takes longer for your visitor to read a page, then it means that the task of reading and comprehending is significantly more difficult.  

So if web pages are already harder to read, then why do so many websites make fonts very small?  

Or why do they let the text stretch and  range across a very wide screen so that the reader with a large monitor actually has to turn his head from left-to-right-to-left again just to read a page?

Why are paragraphs long without a break?  

Why aren’t there headings and sub-headings?

Remember, if your web page isn’t pertinent and easy to read, your visitor and prospective customer will abandon your website.

Easy Web Tip 63: The online reading speed of web pages is 25% slower than print pages, so it’s even more important to make sure your pages are easy on the eyes.

Let's Keep in Touch!

Sign up for my Easy Web Tips newsletter and I’ll send you two of my hottest web checklists for free!

“I read a lot of newsletters and most are work just to get through. Yours is an enjoyable, informative breeze.” – Michael Katz, Blue Penguin Development

schedule a free strategy call

Want to learn more? Let’s chat for 15 minutes.

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies and some 3rd party tracking services so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognizing you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

3rd Party Cookies

This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.

Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.