Speech Time Calculator
Paste your script or enter a word count to see how long it takes to say out loud. Defaults to a presentation pace of 130 words per minute.
Calculate speaking time
A word count here overrides the script above.
Enter a script or word count to begin.
At other paces
- Slow & deliberate (110)–
- Presentation (130)–
- Conversational (150)–
- Fast & energetic (170)–
Plan a speech by length
Write about 650 wordsat 130 WPM
How the speech time calculator works
Speaking time = number of words ÷ speaking rate (words per minute). A 650-word script at a presentation pace of 130 WPM takes 650 ÷ 130 = 5 minutes. Speaking is slower than silent reading: adults read silently at about 238 WPM but read aloud at about 183 WPM (Brysbaert, 2019), and prepared speeches usually run slower again because of pauses and emphasis. That is why this calculator starts at 130 WPM rather than a reading speed.
Need silent reading time instead, for an article, essay or book? Use the Reading Time Calculator.
Which speaking pace should you use?
| Pace | Words per minute | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Slow & deliberate | 110 | Formal speeches, sermons, complex material, non-native audiences |
| Presentation | 130 | Keynotes, class talks, wedding toasts, conference sessions |
| Conversational | 150 | Podcasts, meetings, YouTube voiceovers, interviews |
| Fast & energetic | 170 | Pitches, promos, lightning talks, explainer videos |
These are practical guide values, not fixed rules. For the most accurate estimate, time yourself reading part of your script aloud and use your own WPM.
How long is a speech? Words to minutes chart
| Words | 110 WPM | 130 WPM | 150 WPM | 170 WPM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 55 sec | 46 sec | 40 sec | 35 sec |
| 250 | 2 min 16 sec | 1 min 55 sec | 1 min 40 sec | 1 min 28 sec |
| 500 | 4 min 33 sec | 3 min 51 sec | 3 min 20 sec | 2 min 56 sec |
| 650 | 5 min 55 sec | 5 min | 4 min 20 sec | 3 min 49 sec |
| 750 | 6 min 49 sec | 5 min 46 sec | 5 min | 4 min 25 sec |
| 1,000 | 9 min 5 sec | 7 min 42 sec | 6 min 40 sec | 5 min 53 sec |
| 1,500 | 13 min 38 sec | 11 min 32 sec | 10 min | 8 min 49 sec |
| 2,000 | 18 min 11 sec | 15 min 23 sec | 13 min 20 sec | 11 min 46 sec |
| 2,500 | 22 min 44 sec | 19 min 14 sec | 16 min 40 sec | 14 min 42 sec |
| 3,000 | 27 min 16 sec | 23 min 5 sec | 20 min | 17 min 39 sec |
| 5,000 | 45 min 27 sec | 38 min 28 sec | 33 min 20 sec | 29 min 25 sec |
How many words for a speech of a given length?
| Speech length | 110 WPM | 130 WPM | 150 WPM | 170 WPM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 min | 110 words | 130 words | 150 words | 170 words |
| 2 min | 220 words | 260 words | 300 words | 340 words |
| 3 min | 330 words | 390 words | 450 words | 510 words |
| 5 min | 550 words | 650 words | 750 words | 850 words |
| 7 min | 770 words | 910 words | 1,050 words | 1,190 words |
| 10 min | 1,100 words | 1,300 words | 1,500 words | 1,700 words |
| 15 min | 1,650 words | 1,950 words | 2,250 words | 2,550 words |
| 20 min | 2,200 words | 2,600 words | 3,000 words | 3,400 words |
| 30 min | 3,300 words | 3,900 words | 4,500 words | 5,100 words |
| 45 min | 4,950 words | 5,850 words | 6,750 words | 7,650 words |
| 60 min | 6,600 words | 7,800 words | 9,000 words | 10,200 words |
Tips for timing a speech
- Rehearse out loud with a timer. Most people speak faster when nervous, so a live talk often runs shorter than rehearsal.
- Leave room for interaction. Questions, demos and applause add time. The 10% pause option is a reasonable starting buffer.
- Mark checkpoints in your script. Note where you should be at the halfway point, so you can adjust pace while speaking.
- Count spoken words only. Remove stage directions, slide notes and headings from the word count.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate how long a speech will take?
Divide the number of words in your script by your speaking rate in words per minute (WPM). For example, a 1,300-word speech at a presentation pace of 130 WPM takes 1,300 ÷ 130 = 10 minutes. Add roughly 10% for pauses, audience reactions and slides if you are presenting live.
How many words are in a 3-, 5- and 10-minute speech?
At a typical presentation pace of 130 WPM: a 3-minute speech is about 390 words, a 5-minute speech is about 650 words, and a 10-minute speech is about 1,300 words. At a conversational 150 WPM, those become about 450, 750 and 1,500 words.
How long is a 1,000-word speech?
About 7 minutes 42 seconds at a presentation pace of 130 WPM, about 6 minutes 40 seconds at a conversational 150 WPM, and about 9 minutes 5 seconds at a slow, deliberate 110 WPM.
What is a good speaking rate for a presentation?
Speaking coaches commonly recommend about 130–150 WPM for presentations, which gives listeners time to follow each point. Slow down (110–120 WPM) for complex material, formal occasions or audiences listening in a second language. Everyday conversation often runs faster than a prepared talk.
Why is speaking slower than silent reading?
Speaking requires physically articulating every word, while silent reading does not. A meta-analysis of 190 studies found adults read silently at about 238 WPM but read aloud at about 183 WPM (Brysbaert, 2019), and prepared speeches are usually delivered more slowly still, with pauses for emphasis.
How can I find my own speaking rate?
Read a passage of known length aloud at your natural presentation pace and time yourself for 2–3 minutes. Divide the words spoken by the minutes elapsed. Then set that WPM in the calculator for the most accurate estimate of your speech length.
Related tools
Writing to a time limit? See the speech length chart, or go straight to a 3-minute, 5-minute or 10-minute speech.