diff --git a/examples/timed_reader.py b/examples/timed_reader.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dc31f20
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/timed_reader.py
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+"""A simple example which times reading of all traces in a SEG Y file.
+
+Usage:
+
+    timed_reader.py <in.segy>
+
+"""
+from __future__ import print_function
+import datetime
+
+import os
+
+import sys
+import traceback
+
+from segpy.reader import create_reader
+from segpy.writer import write_segy
+
+
+def read_traces(in_filename):
+    with open(in_filename, 'rb') as in_file:
+
+        t0 = datetime.datetime.now()
+
+        segy_reader = create_reader(in_file)
+
+        t1 = datetime.datetime.now()
+
+        for trace_index in segy_reader.trace_indexes():
+            trace = segy_reader.trace_samples(trace_index)
+
+        t2 = datetime.datetime.now()
+
+    time_to_read_header = (t1 - t0).total_seconds()
+    time_to_read_traces = (t2 - t1).total_seconds()
+    time_to_read_both = (t2 - t0).total_seconds()
+
+    print("Time to read headers : {} seconds", time_to_read_header)
+    print("Time to read traces  : {} seconds", time_to_read_traces)
+    print("Total time           : {} seconds", time_to_read_both)
+
+def main(argv=None):
+    if argv is None:
+        argv = sys.argv[1:]
+
+    try:
+        in_filename = argv[0]
+    except IndexError:
+        print(globals()['__doc__'], file=sys.stderr)
+        return os.EX_USAGE
+
+    try:
+        read_traces(in_filename)
+    except (FileNotFoundError, IsADirectoryError) as e:
+        print(e, file=sys.stderr)
+        return os.EX_NOINPUT
+    except PermissionError as e:
+        print(e, file=sys.stderr)
+        return os.EX_NOPERM
+    except Exception as e:
+        traceback.print_exception(type(e), e, e.__traceback__, file=sys.stderr)
+        return os.EX_SOFTWARE
+    return os.EX_OK
+
+if __name__ == '__main__':
+    sys.exit(main())