Do you ever stare at a pile of unread books and think: “I’ll never finish these!”
Or worse—do you read the same paragraph three times because your mind keeps wandering?
Let me spill the facts: The average person reads at 200-250 words per minute (WPM), but your brain can process up to 1,000 WPM—if you train it right.
In this guide, you’ll discover viral speed-reading hacks used by CEOs, memory champions, and straight-A students—plus weird tricks to double your reading speed without losing comprehension.
Let’s move in.
Why You Read Slowly (And How to Fix It)
Your brain is wired for survival, not speed-reading. Here’s what’s slowing you down:
- Subvocalization: “Hearing” words in your head (caps speed at speaking pace).
- Regression: Re-reading lines (wastes 30% of your time).
- Word-by-word fixation: Your eyes stop on every word instead of chunking phrases.
But with the right techniques, you can rewire your brain to read like a pro.
“Slow readers live one life. Speed readers live a thousand.”
5 Viral Hacks to Read Faster (Tested by Our 10,000+ Community Readers)
1. The “Pen Pacer” Trick (Instantly +25% Faster)
How it works: Use a pen (or finger) to underline each line as you read. Your eyes will follow smoothly, reducing regression.
- Pro tip: Move the pen slightly faster than your comfort zone to train speed.
- Result: “I went from 250 to 400 WPM in a week!” – Myspeedreading community user.
2. The “3-Word Chunk” Method (2X Speed Boost)
Stop reading word-by-word. Instead:
- Group words into 3-5 word chunks (e.g., “The quick brown fox” → one unit).
- Hack: Use highlighters to visually train your brain (yellow = key phrases).
“Your eyes see, your brain understands. Your mouth doesn’t need to get involved.”
3. The “30-Second Preview” (Smarter Than Skimming)
Before reading:
- Scan headings, bold text, and first/last paragraphs.
- Ask: “What’s the main idea?”
- Now read—your brain will spot key info faster.
“Previewing is like GPS for your brain—you’ll never get lost in a book again.”
4. The “Chewing Gum Hack” (Silence Your Inner Voice)
Science says: Chewing gum blocks subvocalization (that inner voice slowing you down).
- Bonus: Humming or saying “A-E-I-O-U” also works.
- Result: Instant 20% speed increase.
5. The “RSVP App Shortcut” (Read 1,000 WPM)
Apps like Spreeder flash words one-by-one at customizable speeds (300→1,000 WPM).
- Pro tip: Start at 300 WPM, then increase by 50 WPM weekly.
- Verdict: “I read 100 pages in 30 minutes!” – User review.
3 Weird-but-Effective Tricks (Backed by Science)
- Read upside down: Forces your brain to see words as shapes, not sounds.
- Use a red dot: Place a red sticker on your wall. Glance at it every 2 minutes to reset focus.
- Bionic Reading: Apps like Reedy bold the first letters of words, helping your eyes glide faster.
Speed vs. Comprehension: The Truth
Myth: “Speed reading means skimming.”
Reality: Top speed readers retain 80%+ comprehension by:
- Prioritizing key sections (skip fluff).
- Summarizing after each chapter (write 3 bullet points).
“Fast reading isn’t about rushing—it’s about eliminating waste.”
Your 7-Day Speed-Reading Challenge
| Day | Task | Expected Gain |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Use the pen pacer for 10 mins | +25% speed |
| 2 | Practice 3-word chunking | +50% speed |
| 3 | Preview 3 articles/books | Faster comprehension |
| 4 | Try chewing gum while reading | Less subvocalization |
| 5 | Test Spreeder (500 WPM) | 2x baseline speed |
| 6 | Skip fluff in a book chapter | Time saved: 40% |
| 7 | Teach a friend what you read | 90% retention |
How Fast Can YOU Go?
- 200 WPM: Average (but upgradable!).
- 400 WPM: Achievable in 7 days with these hacks.
- 800-1000 WPM: Possible with RSVP apps + chunking.
Try one hack today—your future self will thank you when you devour 50+ books a year.
“The more you read, the more lives you live.” — Adapted from George R.R. Martin
Also See: Best Speed Reading Course
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