Speech Length Chart: How Many Words Do You Need?
Find the right word count for a speech, toast or presentation of any length.
Updated by the SpeedReadTest team
Plan on 130 to 150 words for every minute of speech. A 3-minute speech needs about 390 to 450 words, a 5-minute speech about 650 to 750, and a 10-minute speech about 1,300 to 1,500.
Test your reading speed →Words by Speech Length
| Length | 110 WPM | 130 WPM | 150 WPM | 170 WPM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 minute | 110 | 130 | 150 | 170 |
| 2 minutes | 220 | 260 | 300 | 340 |
| 3 minutes | 330 | 390 | 450 | 510 |
| 5 minutes | 550 | 650 | 750 | 850 |
| 10 minutes | 1,100 | 1,300 | 1,500 | 1,700 |
| 15 minutes | 1,650 | 1,950 | 2,250 | 2,550 |
| 20 minutes | 2,200 | 2,600 | 3,000 | 3,400 |
| 30 minutes | 3,300 | 3,900 | 4,500 | 5,100 |
Use 130 WPM as a starting point for a live talk. Speakers often rush when nervous, and a slower pace gives listeners time to follow. To time a script you have already written, use the speech time calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many words per minute is a speech?
Most prepared speeches run at about 130 to 150 words per minute. Slow, formal delivery is closer to 110 WPM, and an energetic pitch can reach 170 WPM.
How do you work out the length of a speech?
Divide the number of words by your speaking rate. A 1,300-word speech at 130 WPM takes 1,300 ÷ 130 = 10 minutes. Add about 10% for pauses and audience reactions.
How many words is a 1-minute speech?
About 130 words at a presentation pace of 130 words per minute, or 110 to 170 words depending on how fast you speak. That is one long paragraph, so there is room for one idea and one example. Cut the thank-yous and background, because ten seconds of warm-up is a sixth of the whole speech.
Related
Sources
- Brysbaert, M. (2019). How many words do we read per minute? A review and meta-analysis of reading rate. Journal of Memory and Language, 109, 104047. Link