Surreal image of an open book with Korean characters forming an eye, representing reading speed assessment.

Decoding Your Reading Speed: Is There a 'Normal' in Korean?

Soraya Malik in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New app offers insights into reading speed norms, potentially revolutionizing eye care and reading assessments."

Reading speed is a key indicator of visual function, impacting how efficiently we process information. While standardized reading charts exist in several languages, a Korean version has been notably absent – until now. Recent research introduces a new application designed to measure reading speed in Korean speakers, potentially setting a new standard for assessment.

This innovative app, developed for the iPad, aims to fill this gap by providing a reliable tool to assess reading speed among Korean speakers. The study investigates the validity of this application and establishes preliminary reading speed norms for normal-sighted individuals.

This article delves into the methodology and findings of this research, exploring how the app was developed, how reading speed was measured, and what the initial results suggest about reading performance in Korean.

Measuring Reading Speed: The App and the Method

Surreal image of an open book with Korean characters forming an eye, representing reading speed assessment.

The researchers developed a Korean reading speed application based on the principles of the well-established MNread chart, adapting it for the Korean language and script. They selected 63 sentences from second-grade elementary school textbooks to ensure age-appropriateness and relevance.

The study involved 42 native Korean speakers with normal vision. Participants were asked to read sentences on an iPad screen at maximum brightness, positioned 40 cm away. Reading speed was measured in two ways:

Reading Only: Participants read the sentences silently.
Reading & Speaking: Participants read the sentences aloud.

The application automatically calculated reading speed in words per minute (WPM) and letters per minute (LPM). The researchers then analyzed the collected data to determine average reading speeds and identify any significant differences between silent and aloud reading.

Key Takeaways and Future Implications

The study revealed that the average reading speed for normal-sighted Korean speakers using the application was 202.3 words per minute (WPM) when reading silently, and 129.7 WPM when reading aloud. This statistically significant difference highlights the impact of articulation on reading speed.

This new application represents a significant advancement in Korean eye care, providing a standardized tool for assessing reading speed. It could serve as a benchmark for evaluating reading performance in various populations, including individuals with presbyopia, cataracts, or those undergoing refractive surgery.

Further research is needed to explore the application's utility in diagnosing and managing different eye conditions, as well as to refine and validate its use across a broader age range and diverse linguistic backgrounds. This innovative tool opens doors for more comprehensive vision assessments and a deeper understanding of reading performance in Korean.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3341/jkos.2016.57.4.642, Alternate LINK

Title: Validity Of Korean Version Reading Speed Application And Measurement Of Reading Speed: Pilot Study

Subject: Ophthalmology

Journal: Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society

Publisher: Korean Ophthalmological Society

Authors: Jiho Song, Jae-Hyung Kim, Sungmin Hyung

Published: 2016-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

How did the researchers measure reading speed in the study using the new Korean reading speed application, and how does this method differ from existing ones?

The research involved 42 native Korean speakers with normal vision. They were asked to read sentences on an iPad screen at maximum brightness, positioned 40 cm away. Reading speed was measured in two ways using the Korean reading speed application: reading silently and reading aloud. The application then automatically calculated reading speed in words per minute (WPM) and letters per minute (LPM). This differs from other methods by adapting the MNread chart to Korean.

What were the key findings regarding reading speeds of Korean speakers, and how does reading aloud affect the results when using the Korean reading speed application?

The study found that the average reading speed for normal-sighted Korean speakers using the application was 202.3 words per minute (WPM) when reading silently, and 129.7 WPM when reading aloud. This highlights the significant impact of articulation on reading speed when using the Korean reading speed application. This might influence strategies of speed-reading focused on silent reading.

How was the new Korean reading speed application developed, and what existing reading speed tests did it use as a reference point?

The new Korean reading speed application is based on the principles of the well-established MNread chart, but adapted for the Korean language and script. The researchers selected 63 sentences from second-grade elementary school textbooks to ensure age-appropriateness and relevance for the Korean language, which is an adaption for the Korean speakers.

What are the potential implications of establishing reading speed norms for Korean speakers using the new reading speed application, particularly for eye care and reading assessments?

This research introduces preliminary reading speed norms for Korean speakers. The reading speed application enables objective assessments, potentially detecting reading difficulties or visual impairments earlier. This tool may revolutionize eye care by providing a standardized method for evaluating reading performance, and could also lead to the development of targeted interventions to improve reading skills.

What were the limitations of the study, and what further research could be conducted to expand the understanding of reading speed in Korean and the applicability of the Korean reading speed application?

The study only included normal-sighted native Korean speakers. It did not investigate reading speeds among individuals with visual impairments, different age groups beyond the typical elementary school range, or non-native Korean speakers. Future research could explore these areas to provide a more comprehensive understanding of reading speed in Korean and the relationship of the Korean reading speed application to these groups.