Speech time calculator: words to minutes
Paste your script or enter a word count to see how long it will take to say out loud. Or flip it around: pick a target length and get the number of words to write.
300 words at 150 words per minute.
How the calculation works
Speaking time = number of words ÷ words per minute. A 300-word script read at 150 words per minute takes 2 minutes.
The hard part is the rate, not the maths. Speaking rate depends on the person, the content and the situation. As a working range:
- 110–130 wpm: careful, deliberate delivery. Formal speeches, technical explanations, speaking to a non-native audience, or content with lots of numbers.
- 130–160 wpm: relaxed conversational pace. Most presentations, YouTube videos and video messages land here.
- 160–190 wpm: energetic and fast. Short-form social videos, ads and podcasts with practiced hosts.
The only way to know your rate is to measure it. Read a 150-word passage aloud at your normal pace and time it. If it takes 1 minute 10 seconds, your rate is about 130 wpm. Use that number here and in the online teleprompter, which scrolls at whatever rate you set.
How many words is an N-minute speech?
Rounded word counts for common lengths at a measured pace (130 wpm) and an average conversational pace (150 wpm):
| Length | At 130 wpm | At 150 wpm |
|---|---|---|
| 1-minute speech | 130 words | 150 words |
| 2-minute speech | 260 words | 300 words |
| 3-minute speech | 390 words | 450 words |
| 5-minute speech | 650 words | 750 words |
| 7-minute speech | 910 words | 1,050 words |
| 10-minute speech | 1,300 words | 1,500 words |
| 15-minute speech | 1,950 words | 2,250 words |
| 20-minute speech | 2,600 words | 3,000 words |
| 30-minute speech | 3,900 words | 4,500 words |
A typed, single-spaced page in a standard 12-point font holds roughly 450–500 words, so a 5-minute speech is about one and a half pages.
Tips for timing a script
- Leave room for pauses. Live talks run longer than the word count suggests: laughter, slide changes and questions all take time. Tick the 10% option, or plan for less than your limit.
- Count numbers as spoken. "2026" is one word on the page but four syllables aloud. Long figures and acronyms slow you down.
- Hard limits need a buffer. If a platform cuts you off at 60 seconds, write for 50–55.
- Rehearse once with a timer. The calculator gets you close; one real read gets you exact.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to read 1,000 words aloud?
About 6½–7½ minutes at a conversational 130–150 words per minute. At a brisk 170 wpm it's just under 6 minutes.
How many words should a 5-minute speech be?
Roughly 650–750 words. Use the lower end for formal speeches or if you'll pause for slides, the upper end for relaxed, conversational delivery.
What is a normal speaking rate in words per minute?
Most people speak somewhere between 120 and 160 words per minute when presenting or recording, with conversational speech often a little faster. Your own rate is the one to use: time yourself reading a known number of words.
How many words is a 60-second video?
About 130–160 words, but aim lower (around 120–140) if the platform has a hard 60-second limit, to leave room for a breath at the start and end.