How Long Will My Speech Take?
Use our speech time calculator to find out exactly how long your speech, presentation, or script will take to deliver. Simply paste your text and adjust the speaking pace to get an accurate estimate. The calculator counts your words and calculates the time based on your selected words-per-minute rate.
Understanding Speaking Pace
Speaking pace varies based on context, audience, and personal style:
- Slow pace (100-120 WPM) - Ideal for complex topics, formal speeches, or when speaking to non-native speakers
- Conversational pace (120-150 WPM) - Natural speaking rate for most presentations and speeches
- Moderate pace (150-160 WPM) - Standard pace for TED talks and professional presentations
- Fast pace (160-180 WPM) - Energetic delivery, suitable for motivational speaking
- Very fast (180+ WPM) - Auctioneers, sports commentators, or rushed presentations
Words Per Minute Guidelines
Common Speaking Scenarios
- Audiobook narration - 150-160 WPM
- TED Talks - 140-170 WPM
- Podcasts - 150-180 WPM
- News broadcasts - 150-170 WPM
- Presentations - 120-150 WPM
- Formal speeches - 100-130 WPM
- Eulogies - 100-120 WPM
- Wedding speeches - 120-140 WPM
How Many Words for a Speech?
Here's a quick reference for speech length at an average pace of 150 WPM:
- 1-minute speech - ~150 words
- 2-minute speech - ~300 words
- 3-minute speech - ~450 words
- 5-minute speech - ~750 words
- 10-minute speech - ~1,500 words
- 15-minute speech - ~2,250 words
- 20-minute speech - ~3,000 words
- 30-minute speech - ~4,500 words
- 1-hour speech - ~9,000 words
Tips for Timing Your Speech
- Practice out loud - Silent reading is faster than speaking; always time yourself reading aloud
- Account for pauses - Natural pauses for emphasis, audience reaction, or slide changes add time
- Consider your audience - Technical content or non-native speakers may require a slower pace
- Build in buffer time - Aim for 10-15% less than your allotted time for Q&A or overruns
- Record yourself - Listening back helps identify pacing issues
Factors That Affect Speech Duration
- Complexity of content - Technical or dense material requires slower delivery
- Visual aids - Slides, props, or demonstrations add time
- Audience interaction - Questions, applause, or laughter extend duration
- Nervousness - Speakers often speed up when nervous
- Language - Non-native speakers typically speak slower
- Room acoustics - Large venues may require slower, clearer speech
Using the Practice Timer
After calculating your estimated time, use our practice timer to rehearse your speech. The timer will show you whether you're on pace, running behind, or speaking too fast compared to your target time. This helps you adjust your delivery before the actual presentation.
