Speech time calculator
How long will your speech take to deliver? Paste your script or enter the word count and choose a speaking pace.
Speaking words per minute
Speaking is much slower than silent reading, because every word has to be said aloud and listeners need pauses to follow. The US National Center for Voice and Speech gives about 150 wpm as an average for conversational English. Speeches are usually a little slower.
- 110–120 wpm: formal addresses, sermons, speaking to a large room or to non-native listeners.
- 130–150 wpm: most presentations, wedding toasts and class talks.
- 160–180 wpm: podcasts, energetic pitches and video voice-overs.
Leave room for applause, laughter and slide changes. A safe rule is to write 10% fewer words than the calculator suggests for your time slot.
How many words for a speech of…
| Speech length | Slow (110 wpm) | Conversational (140 wpm) | Fast (170 wpm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 minute | 110 words | 140 words | 170 words |
| 2 minutes | 220 words | 280 words | 340 words |
| 3 minutes | 330 words | 420 words | 510 words |
| 5 minutes | 550 words | 700 words | 850 words |
| 10 minutes | 1,100 words | 1,400 words | 1,700 words |
| 15 minutes | 1,650 words | 2,100 words | 2,550 words |
| 20 minutes | 2,200 words | 2,800 words | 3,400 words |
| 30 minutes | 3,300 words | 4,200 words | 5,100 words |
Reading it silently instead? A 1,000-word script takes 4 min 12 sec to read. Use the reading time calculator.
Questions people ask
How many words per minute do people speak?
Most people give a speech or presentation at 120–150 words per minute. Conversation can run faster, around 150–160 wpm, and audiobooks are usually narrated at about 150–160 wpm.
How many words is a 5-minute speech?
About 700 words at a conversational 140 wpm. If you speak slowly or plan pauses for slides, aim for 550–650 words.
How long is a 1,000-word speech?
About 7 minutes at 140 wpm, 9 minutes at a slow 110 wpm, and just under 6 minutes at a fast 170 wpm.
How do I find my own speaking pace?
Read a 300-word section of your script aloud as you would deliver it and time yourself. Divide 300 by the minutes it took. Use that figure in the calculator for a personal estimate.