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Find answers to the most common questions about Rapid Reader. For technical issues, see Troubleshooting.
Rapid Reader supports PDF, EPUB, and plain text files. You can also paste text directly from any source using the paste option.Note: PDFs must be text-based to work properly. Scanned documents or image-based PDFs cannot be read because they contain pictures of text rather than actual text data. If you cannot select and highlight text in your PDF, you will need to run it through an OCR tool first.
Yes, your data stays completely private. Rapid Reader stores everything locally on your device — your library, reading progress, and preferences never leave your computer or phone.No data is sent to external servers, no account is required, and no personal information is collected. Your reading history is yours alone.
Not currently. Each device maintains its own separate library and reading progress. If you use Rapid Reader on multiple devices, your reads and progress will be stored independently on each one.Cross-device syncing is a feature we are considering for the future.
RSVP stands for Rapid Serial Visual Presentation. It is a speed reading technique that displays words one at a time in a fixed position, eliminating the eye movement required in traditional reading.Instead of your eyes scanning across lines of text, words come to you at a controlled pace. This removes physical overhead and allows faster reading with less fatigue.Learn more about the science behind it in What is RSVP?
The red letter marks the Optimal Recognition Point (ORP) — the specific position in each word where your eye naturally focuses for fastest recognition.Words align around this fixed red letter, so your eye stays perfectly still while text streams past. The highlighting helps your brain instantly find the focal point without searching, reducing cognitive effort and enabling faster reading.See Understanding ORP for a detailed explanation.
Most new users start comfortably at 250-300 WPM (words per minute). With practice, many readers reach 500-700 WPM for casual content, and some achieve 1000+ WPM for lighter material.Your optimal speed depends on the content type. Dense technical material might need 200-300 WPM, while familiar topics can go much faster. Start slower and increase gradually as comprehension feels natural.See Choosing Your Speed for guidance on finding the right pace.
The web app at rapidreader.app is completely free to use with no limitations. You can import files, build your library, and read at any speed without paying.Native apps for Mac, iOS, and Android are available for purchase. Check the app stores for current pricing.
Report bugs on our GitHub Issues page. When reporting, please include:
  • Platform: Web, Mac, iOS, Android, or Chrome extension
  • Steps to reproduce: What you did before the issue occurred
  • Expected behavior: What should have happened
  • Actual behavior: What happened instead
Screenshots or screen recordings are helpful for visual issues. The more detail you provide, the faster we can investigate and fix the problem.

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