The Effect of Screen Size on Reading Speed: A Comparison of Three Screens to Print

Many students are starting to rely on screens to consume their textbooks rather than paper. Does the screen influence reading speed according to its size or when compared to traditional paper? In this study, participants started the experiment with a different device and read four short stories for 10 min each. Participants read on a 17ʺ computer screen, a paperback book, a 10ʺ tablet and a 3ʺ cell phone screen. The number of words they read were counted and the actual words read per minute were calculated. No significant effect of reading speed was found across the screen sizes or the book. Individual participant’s reading speed was remarkably consistent across all the devices suggesting that reading speed does not vary with presentation mode for a brief period.