this post was submitted on 06 Apr 2026
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Visualizing the Length of the Fine Print, for 14 Popular Apps (and books) (lemmy.ml)
submitted 23 hours ago by LiamTheBox@lemmy.ml to c/mildlyinteresting@lemmy.world
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Source: https://www.visualcapitalist.com/terms-of-service-visualizing-the-length-of-internet-agreements/

Terms of Service: The Length of Common Digital Contracts Do you take the time to read the terms of service before you agree to when downloading the latest app or software?

Of course you do…

The world is awash with apps and internet services that ask potential users to agree to a service agreement. Most people click on ‘agree’ and move on, knowing that reading the service agreements could put them to sleep and defer their favorite internet fix.

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[–] Whats_your_reasoning@lemmy.world 3 points 4 hours ago

They base the reading time by assuming someone reads 240 words per minute (stated near the top of the infograph, on the right.)

My guess is they didn't actually time somebody reading the terms and conditions, but rather they took the total word count and divided it by 240.

I wondered where they got the number from, too. I found a page discussing a meta analysis of English reading speeds that concluded that for silent reading, people commonly read 238 words per minute. The infographic probably took that average and rounded it up to 240.

Though considering the jargon and opacity of most "terms and conditions," I imagine the reality to be that most people take longer to read through it than if they were reading something for pleasure.