We live in a time when words are everywhere, in your inbox, your newsfeed, your to-do list, and your bedside book stack. And no matter how fast you think you read, it never seems fast enough. Learning to read faster isn’t just about speed. It’s about freeing up time, reducing overwhelm, and actually enjoying the act of reading instead of dragging yourself through it.
Here’s how you can train yourself to read quicker — without skimming blindly or missing the point.
Quit “hearing” every word
You probably don’t even realise you’re doing it, but chances are you “speak” the words in your head as you read. It’s called subvocalisation, and it slows you down. Your brain can take in information much faster than your inner voice can speak it. Try breaking that habit by using your finger or a pen to guide your eyes. It forces you to stay focused and stop mouthing the words in your mind.
Guide your eyes
Remember when your teacher told you to follow the words with your finger? Turns out that advice wasn’t just for children. Using a pointer — your finger, a pencil, anything — helps your eyes move steadily and stops them from darting all over the page. It may feel odd at first, but it works.
Read in chunks, not word by word
Your eyes are capable of taking in more than one word at a time. Instead of reading like a typewriter, try to look at phrases or short word groups. For example, instead of reading “the cat sat on the mat” one word at a time, your eyes can train to see “the cat sat” as one visual unit. This comes with practice, but it makes a big difference.
Don’t keep going backwards
Ever find yourself rereading the same line over and over? It’s a common habit — but it wastes time and breaks your focus. Most of the time, you don’t actually need to go back. Your brain likely got the meaning, even if you think you missed a word. Trust your first read unless something genuinely confuses you.
Challenge yourself with a timer
Pick up any article or book, set a timer for one minute, and read as you normally would. Mark your stopping point. Then try again with the aim of getting further. Keep doing this daily. You’ll start to notice improvement — not just in speed, but in concentration, too.
Skip the filler
Not every word is vital. Articles, adjectives, and softeners like “very” or “really” often slow you down without adding much. Focus on the core message — the nouns, verbs, and key ideas. It makes your reading more efficient and your understanding sharper.
Practice is key
You won’t double your reading speed overnight. But five or ten minutes of focused reading every day adds up. Stick with it, and you’ll naturally start to read faster, without even trying too hard. – SUS
