speech how many words per minute

Do you wonder how long it takes to deliver your speech?

This website helps you convert the number of words into the time it takes to deliver your speech, online and for free. This tool is useful when preparing a speech or a presentation. The number of minutes you will take is dependent on the number of words and your speed of speech, or reading speed.

Note: This calculator provides an indication only.

Enter details below

The overview below provides an indication of the minutes for a speech (based on an average reading speed of 130 words per minute):

• Words in a 1 minute speech 130 words
• Words in a 2 minute speech 260 words
• Words in a 3 minute speech 390 words
• Words in a 4 minute speech 520 words
• Words in a 5 minute speech 650 words
• Words in a 10 minute speech 1300 words
• Words in a 15 minute speech 1950 words
• Words in a 20 minute speech 2600 words
• How long does a 500 word speech take? 3.8 minutes
• How long does a 1000 word speech take? 7.7 minutes
• How long does a 1250 word speech take? 9.6 minutes
• How long does a 1500 word speech take? 11.5 minutes
• How long does a 1750 word speech take? 13.5 minutes
• How long does a 2000 word speech take? 15.4 minutes
• How long does a 2500 word speech take? 19.2 minutes
• How long does a 5000 word speech take? 38.5 minutes

Introducing Speech Time Calculate

Estimate how many minutes your speeches, presentations, and voice-over scripts will take based on your words per minute rate!

How To Speech Time Calculate Using This Tool?

If you have a certain number of words or a piece of text you want to time, you can either type in the word count or paste the text into the provided area. This tool will then calculate how long it would take to read that text out loud.

The talk time estimate is calculated using the average speaking speed of adults, which is determined to be 183 words per minute based on scientific studies. If you’re interested in how long it would take to read silently, it’s estimated at 238 words per minute ( This data is also backed by research )

You can adjust the slider to change the words per minute value, which will affect the talk time estimate. However, the silent reading time estimate remains fixed at 238 words per minute.

For ease of use, we’ve also provided reference points for slow, average, and fast reading rates below the slider.

To begin anew, simply click the ‘clear text’ button to erase the content and restore the slider back to its original setting of 183.

Who is This Words to Minutes Converter Tool For?

If you are a student wondering how long is my essay or you’ve been tasked with writing a speech and need to know how many words to aim for and how many minutes will it take to deliver or perhaps you are a podcaster, just starting out, who wants the ability to easily synchronize music and spoken word without having to painstakingly calculate seconds between them, then this Speech Time Calculate is precisely for you!

From now on, instead of spending long hours in front of the computer trying to figure out how many seconds it takes for one phrase or section of dialogue to end and another to begin, you can let our innovative tool do all the work and convert your text to time quickly and accurately. With this powerful tool at your disposal, whether you’re giving a TED talk or just need to nail a business presentation, your life will become a little bit easier.

So keep reading to learn more about what this fantastic words to minutes converter has in store for public speakers, aspiring students, and professional radio producers alike!

Whether you want to read the text silently or speak aloud, you can use this tool as both:

• Reading time calculator
• Talk time calculator

Explanation of the Reading Time

Reading time refers to the duration it takes for an average person to read a written text silently while still comprehending its content. Based on an extensive analysis of 190 studies that involved 18,573 participants , research conducted by Marc Brysbaert in 2019 suggests that the typical silent reading speed for an adult individual is approximately 238 words per minute .

To convert word count to read time for a specific text, you can do so by dividing the total word count of the text by this established value of 238. Here is the mathematical equation for determining the duration of reading time in minutes:

Reading Time = Total Word Count / 238

Explanation of the Speech Time

Speech time refers to the duration it takes for an average person to read a text out loud. Based on data from 77 studies involving 5,965 people , it’s been found that most adults read aloud at a speed of approximately 183 words per minute ( research conducted by Marc Brysbaert in 2019 ). To figure out how long it will take to read a specific piece of text aloud, you can divide the total number of words in the text by this average rate of 183 words per minute.

Of course, it’s important to note that talk time can vary depending on factors such as clarity of speech, pauses for emphasis, and use of visual aids. However, using this tool for converting the number of words to minutes can still provide a helpful guideline for planning and practicing your presentation. By having a better understanding of speech rates, you can ensure that your message is delivered effectively and efficiently.

Benefits of Using a Speech Time Calculate

Time management in presentations.

Effective time management during presentations is crucial to ensure the audience remains engaged and the information is accurately conveyed. This is where our words to speaking time converter comes in handy. By using this tool, presenters can easily determine how many words they need to include in their presentation to stay within the allotted time frame.

Not only does it help with time management, but it also ensures that the pacing of the presentation is consistent, making it easier for the audience to follow. With the use of this presentation time calculator, presenters can confidently deliver their presentations without the worry of running over time or rushing through it.

Estimated speech time for public speaking

Public speaking can be nerve-wracking, especially when you have too little or too much information to fill your time slot. You wonder only if there were an accurate public speaking time calculator available so that you could be able to allocate the appropriate amount of time to each section of your presentation, ensuring that you cover all the necessary points without rushing or going over time.

Effective pacing is key in ensuring your message is delivered with clarity and impact.

Most public speakers target an average of 130-150 words per minute for their spoken content, meaning you should aim to limit your speaking time to roughly one minute per 130-150 words. While this may take some practice to achieve, the end result is a confident, well-timed delivery that keeps your audience engaged from start to finish.

Remember, in public speaking, less is often more—take your time to breathe and emphasize key points. Your audience will appreciate your thoughtful and measured approach. For that, you can use this tool and adjust your words to speech time.

Accurate estimations for audiobooks and podcasts

As more and more people turn to audiobooks and podcasts for their entertainment and information needs, accurate estimations of listening time have become more important than ever. After all, there’s nothing worse than settling in for a quick listen only to find yourself trapped in a story that goes on for hours longer than you anticipated.

That’s why it’s great to see publishers and podcast producers taking estimated reading time seriously, providing listeners with the information they need to choose the right content for their schedule. Whether you’re looking for a quick listen on your daily commute or a lengthy distraction for a lazy Sunday afternoon, accurate estimations using this words to speak time calculator make it easier than ever to find the perfect content.

Some Popular Speech Times

how many words in a 2 minute speech

Almost 300 words

how many words in a 3 minute speech

Almost 450 words

how many words in a 4 minute speech

Almost 600 words

how many words in a 15 minute speech

Almost 2250 words

The speech time is calculated taking 150 words per minute as reference value

Common conversions (average speed)

How long does it take to read 500 words?

3.8 minutes

How long does it take to read 750 words?

5.8 minutes

How long does it take to read 1000 words?

7.7 minutes

How long does it take to read 1200 words?

9.2 minutes

How long does it take to read 1500 words?

11.5 minutes

How long does it take to read 1800 words?

13.8 minutes

How long does it take to read 2000 words?

15.4 minutes

How long does it take to read 3000 words?

23.1 minutes

As the world becomes more fast-paced, time is a precious commodity. Determining how long your script will take to read, whether for a presentation or a video, can make a significant difference in engaging and retaining your audience’s attention.

That’s where our Words to Time Converter comes in handy. It’s a valuable tool for anyone working in various professions, from broadcast journalists to teachers to executives. No matter the industry, time is of the essence, and knowing how long your speech or presentation will take is crucial for effective communication.

Speaking time calculator

Type or paste your speech to instantly calculate your speaking time

How does this speech timer work

To begin, delete the sample text and either type in your speech or copy and paste it into the editor.

The average reading speed and speech rate is 200 words per minute and is the default setting above. Once you paste your speech, click “Play” and Speechify will analyze your speech by the number of words and generate a time to speak it at the default rate.

You can listen to your speech in various accents or languages. If you are aiming for a specific timeframe for your speech, click edit to either increase or decrease the number of words to see how long it would take to speak them.

You can also increase or decrease the speaking rate to gauge how fast or slow you should speak in order to get to a specific time with the number of words you have in your speech.

To get to that perfect word count to fit with the speech length time, you’ll have to keep editing between words per minute (WPM) and number of words.

The best part is that you can share your speech in audio format to your friends, relatives, or peers to review it. They can simply click play and listen to your speech.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many words are there in a 1 minute speech.

Based on the average speed of speech, there are 150 words in a 1 minute speech.

How many words are there in a 2 minute speech?

There are 300 words per minute in a 2 minute speech. 2 minutes isn’t a long time so when you speak, you could endure the average speaking rate.

How many words are there in a 3 minute speech?

On average there are 450 words in a 3 minute speech. This is based on the average speech rate of 250 words per minute. At the 3 minute mark, even a novice speaker could keep going at the rate they started – with some practice.

How many words are there in a 4 minute speech?

On average there are 600 words in a 4 minute speech. This is based on the average speech rate of 250 words per minute. Still, even a novice speaker could maintain the 150 words per minute rate. Try it in the Soundbite above. Set your words per minute and speak along to see if you could endure consistency over 4 minutes.

How many words are there in a 5 minute speech?

On average there are 750 words in a 5 minute speech. This is based on the average speech rate of 250 words per minute. While this is simple math, we after all are humans and 5 minutes can be pushing the boundaries of a consistent speech tempo and words per minute.

How many words are there in a 10 minute speech?

In a 10 minute speech aim for 1000 words. The math might tell you 1,500 words but consider your speech. You might need pauses, rest for your voice, dramatic effects, and perhaps even audience interaction. Also, it becomes quite difficult to endure a consistent 150 words per minute speech rate for 10 minutes. Consider your listeners. We doubt very few people would want to listen to a precisely 150 words per minute speech for 10 minutes. It wouldn’t be engaging. And in a speech, you should engage and communicate.

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Speechify is a text to speech (tts) screen reader that can read any text, PDF, document, book, email, file, or article online out loud on your phone. 

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Convert Words to Time

Calculate how long it will take to read a speech or presentation

Enter the word count of your speech below to see how long it will take you to read. Estimate the number of minutes based on a slow, average, or fast speaking pace.

Number of words

Reading speed, common conversions (average speed).

Convert words to time

Word per minute speech

Enter the number of words in the box below to find out how many minutes it will take you to give your speech.

Word Counter

Paste your text here to find out the word count

Word Count: 0

Online Stopwatch

Time your speech on a timer for the actual time it takes you to deliver your speech, practice.

Our tool comes in handy when you are preparing for a speech or creating a presentation. The length of your speech depends on the amount of text and your speaking or reading speed.

Speech calculator:  how long does it take to deliver your speech?

With this speech calculator, you can easily calculate how long it will take you to deliver a speech.

How many words per minute?

In the English language, people speak about 140 words per minute. A fast speaker will get to 170 words per minute, a slow speaker will use around 110 words.

Professional speechwriters use this speech calculator to find out how long a speech takes.

Copy your full text and paste it in the box below:

The entire analysis happens within your browser. The text will NOT be stored and NOT be sent over the web.

Word count:

Your speech rate:

Speech duration:

FAQ’s

How many words is a 3 minute speech  .

A speaker with an average speaking speed will need 420 words for a 3 minute speech. A fast speaker will need 510 words while a slow speaker will only need 330 words.

How many words is a 5 minute speech?  

A speaker with an average speaking speed will need 700 words for a 5 minutes speech. A fast speaker will need 850 words for the same speech length. A slow speaker will only need 550 words.

Is this a word count calculator?  

The speech calculator is a word count calculator. Insert your text and the tool will automatically calculate the word count.  It will then also calculate the speech length depending on the selected talking speed.

How to best select the right speaking speed?

Fast, average or slow? The answer depends on the speaker, the speech type and the speech setting.

The speaking speed of the speaker

Some speakers are natural fast or slow speakers. The best speakers keep a variance during their speeches. They speed up to keep momentum and slow down to put special emphasis on other parts.

The speech type

The type of speech matters a lot in selecting the right speech speed. If you read the whole speech word for word from paper then your average speech speed will be lower. If you intend to use the written speech as speaker notes then your average speaking speed will be much higher.

The speech setting

An informal setting will have a faster average speaking speed compared to a more formal setting.

Keeping all three factors in mind you will able make a better judgement about selecting the right speech speed in the speech calculator.

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How long will it take to read a speech or presentation?

Enter the word count into the tool below (or paste in text) to see how many minutes it will take you to read. Estimates number of minutes based on a slow, average, or fast paced reading speed.

Number of words

Reading speed

Common conversions (average speed)

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Guide to Speaking Rates: How Many Words Per Minute Should Your Speech Be?

Ever find yourself grappling with the pace of your words during a presentation? You’re definitely not alone. It turns out, the average speaking rate for folks in the United States is about 150 words per minute – a little nugget of information that was a game-changer for me on my path to becoming more confident in public speaking .

In this article, we’re going to dive into everything from understanding different speech rates to fine-tuning your own rhythm , ensuring your next presentation strikes the perfect balance .

Stick around; you won’t want to miss these insights!

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• Speaking at the right speed is crucial for keeping your audience engaged. The average speaking rate in the United States is about 150 words per minute. But, this can change based on who you’re talking to and what you’re saying.
• Different types of speeches need different speeds. For TED Talks, aim for around 163 words per minute to keep things interesting. Political speeches should be slower, at about 110-120 words per minute, to add weight to your words. Business presentations work best at a pace of about 140 words per minute.
• Your speaking rate can vary because of many reasons like where you’re from, how excited you are, or if you know a lot about the topic. Other big factors include how confident you feel and physical things like being tired or sick.
• You can get better at finding the right speed by practicing out loud with exercises and asking people for their honest thoughts on your speech style. Using tools like word counts helps plan how long your talk will be.
• Changing how fast or slow you speak during a presentation makes it more exciting and helps highlight important points. Slowing down when sharing something significant or speeding up when showing excitement keeps listeners interested.

Understanding Speaking Rates and Words per Minute

Understanding speaking rates involves grasping the concept of speaking rate and average reading speed, as well as identifying the factors that influence how fast or slow someone speaks.

Additionally, it’s important to understand the ideal speaking rate for different types of speeches such as TED Talks , political speeches , and business presentations .

What is speaking rate

Speaking rate is how fast or slow you talk, measured in words per minute . For example, the average speaking rate for English speakers in the United States is around 150 words per minute.

This number can change depending on who you are talking to or what you’re talking about. Some people naturally speak faster, while others take their time and speak more slowly.

The speed at which someone speaks can affect how well the audience understands and engages with the speech. Speaking too fast might confuse listeners, but going too slow might make them lose interest.

Knowing your ideal speaking pace helps keep your audience hooked and conveys your message effectively. Let’s look into why understanding this balance is crucial for public speakers of all levels.

Average reading speed

After introducing the concept of speaking rate, it’s essential to touch on the average reading speed . This is crucial because it sets a baseline for understanding how our speaking speed compares to how fast we read.

This table outlines different scenarios and the average or recommended words per minute for each. It helps us gauge how our reading speed compares to various speaking contexts. For instance, while the average conversation rate and general speeches pace are similar at about 150 words per minute, voiceovers tend to be much slower, at 75 words per minute. This comparison underscores how context affects the ideal speaking speed, showing us that effective communication is not just about what we say but also how fast we say it.

Factors that influence speaking rate

The pace we speak at is influenced by several factors, including our regional dialect, cultural background, and level of excitement . Other key influencers are our familiarity with the topic , our own confidence levels, and any existing anxiety or nervousness. Additionally, physical factors like fatigue, illness, or even the layout of the speaking space can also impact our speaking rate.

• Regional dialect and cultural background : The rhythm and intonation patterns associated with different dialects and cultures affect how fast or slow someone speaks.
• Level of excitement : When we’re excited or passionate about a topic, we tend to speak more quickly.
• Familiarity with the topic : If we’re very familiar with what we’re talking about, we might speak faster than if the subject matter is new to us.
• Confidence levels and anxiety : Higher confidence levels generally result in a faster speaking pace, whereas anxiety may cause someone to speak more slowly.
• Physical factors : Fatigue, illness, or environmental factors such as an uncomfortable speaking space can also influence speaking rate.

These variables show that many diverse aspects can affect how quickly or slowly someone speaks during a presentation or speech.

The Ideal Speaking Rate for Different Types of Speeches

TED Talks, political speeches, and business presentations each have their own ideal speaking rates to keep the audience engaged and effectively convey the message. Varying your speaking rate is essential for captivating different audiences in these varied speech contexts.

TED Talks are renowned for their powerful, thought-provoking content. The ideal speaking rate for TED Talks is about 163 words per minute . This pace allows the speaker to convey their message clearly and engagingly, keeping the audience captivated throughout the talk.

It’s important to maintain a steady yet expressive speed while delivering a TED Talk to effectively communicate your ideas and connect with your audience.

– Political speeches

Political speeches

Political speeches should aim for a speaking rate of about 110-120 words per minute . This allows the audience to absorb the information and feel the emotion behind your words. Remember, slower speaking rates can add weight and significance to your message, especially during pivotal moments in a speech .

For political speeches, aiming for around 110-120 words per minute ensures that you convey gravitas and allow your audience to absorb every point without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

Business presentations

When delivering business presentations, aim for a speaking rate of around 140 words per minute . It’s crucial to vary your speed and enunciate clearly to maintain audience engagement .

Keep in mind that the average reading speed is about 150 words per minute , so adjusting accordingly will help ensure your message is effectively communicated.

The ideal speaking rate for different types of speeches varies; however, for business presentations, a slightly slower pace can help convey complex information more clearly and allow time for the audience to digest key points.

Tips for Selecting the Right Speaking Speed

Select the right speaking speed by knowing your own rate, using word counts, planning for delays, and varying your pace to keep your audience engaged. Read more on our blog!

Know your own speaking rate

Assess your speaking rate by timing yourself for a minute as you speak naturally. Then count the number of words spoken. This will help determine your average speaking speed . Repeat this process a few times to get an accurate estimate.

For example, if you speak around 160 words in a minute, then your speaking rate is faster than the average English speaker.

Understanding how fast or slow you normally speak can inform adjustments needed when preparing speeches and presentations. This self-awareness enables better planning and aids in choosing the ideal pace for conveying your message effectively to different audiences, like when delivering TED Talks or political speeches.

Use word counts as an estimation

When determining your speaking rate , use word counts to estimate how many words you need for a specific time frame . For example, if you aim for a 5-minute speech and speak at the recommended rate of 140 words per minute, then plan to include around 700 words in your speech.

Knowing this estimation can help you tailor your content effectively for different speaking duration requirements.

By using word counts as an estimation tool , it allows you to gauge how much content is needed based on the duration of your speech. This method helps in planning and organizing the material to fit within the allocated time while ensuring that key points are effectively conveyed without rushing or dragging them out.

Plan for technical delays and Q&A

Plan for technical delays and Q&A by adding extra buffer time to your speech. It’s common for things to go off schedule, so allow a few extra minutes in case of tech hiccups or questions from the audience.

Prepare some backup material in case you need to fill time unexpectedly. Also, practice answering potential Q&A queries during your rehearsals so you can respond confidently and succinctly.

Remember that technical issues are part of public speaking, so remaining calm and prepared will help you deliver a smooth presentation even if something unexpected happens.

Vary your speaking rate

To keep your audience engaged, change the speed of your speech. Slow down for important points and speed up to show excitement or urgency. This technique helps maintain interest and emphasizes key ideas , making your speech more dynamic.

Try adjusting your speaking pace using pauses, emphasizing words, or changing tone. Varying your rate adds interest and keeps listeners focused through different speeds and rhythms.

It’s a simple yet effective way to enhance engagement throughout your speech.

How to Improve Your Speaking Rate

Improve speaking rate by practicing different exercises and seeking feedback for adjustment. Always aim to enhance your verbal delivery.

Practice with different exercises

To improve your speaking rate, try these exercises:

• Read aloud various texts at a comfortable pace , gradually speeding up.
• Use a metronome to set the pace and match your speaking rate to it.
• Practice tongue twisters to enhance articulation and fluency.
• Record yourself speaking and analyze areas for improvement.
• Engage in role – playing scenarios to boost confidence and spontaneity.
• Experiment with storytelling to vary your speaking speed and tone.
• Attend public speaking workshops or join clubs like Toastmasters for structured practice.

Now let’s delve into the different exercises for improving your speaking rate!

Seek feedback and adjust accordingly

As a beginner in public speaking, seeking feedback and making adjustments is crucial. Feedback helps you understand how others perceive your speech rate and style. Adjusting accordingly can make your delivery more effective.

Remember, practice doesn’t make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect! Therefore, seek out opportunities to speak in front of diverse audiences or record yourself to get constructive criticism from different perspectives.

Taking this step will help you gain confidence and enhance your speaking skills.

I’ve learned a lot about speaking rates and how they can impact a speech. Speaking at the right speed can make your message clearer and more engaging for your audience. Now, let’s hear from an expert in public speaking.

Meet Dr. Linda Harris, a renowned communication specialist with over 20 years of experience teaching effective speaking techniques at prestigious universities. Dr. Harris has authored several influential papers on voice modulation and oratory excellence, securing her place as an authority in the field of public speaking.

Dr. Harris emphasizes that understanding your personal speaking rate is crucial for crafting speeches that resonate with audiences. By aligning your delivery with the content’s nature and audience expectations, you enhance comprehension and retention.

She refers to studies indicating optimal engagement levels when speakers maintain rates close to 140-160 words per minute.

On safety, ethics, and transparency in speech delivery, Dr. Harris highlights the importance of accurate information dissemination above maintaining specific speech speeds. Ensuring messages are truthful maintains credibility regardless of the presentation pace.

She advises incorporating varied speech rates into everyday conversations as practice for formal presentations. This flexibility not only improves adaptability but also enriches personal communication skills noticeably.

In her balanced evaluation, Dr. Harris recognizes potential challenges like adapting to technological aids during online presentations or managing time constraints in live talks effectively without sacrificing quality — issues often addressed through conscientious preparation and continuous self-awareness.

Ultimately, Dr. Harris endorses prioritizing clarity and emotional connection over rigid adherence to exact words-per-minute counts in most speaking scenarios while acknowledging certain contexts may demand stricter timing control for maximum effect.

Her insights underline practical apparatuses offered by knowing ideal speech velocities yet encourage speakers to prioritize their unique voice within this framework.

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Free Online Words to Minutes Calculator

How long should your 5 minutes speech be? How many words should your essay be to take 5 minutes reading?

To find an answer, you need words to minutes calculator. IvyPanda Experts prepared this post, where you will find 10 free words to minutes converters, find out how to measure your speaking rate, and how long your X-minute speech has to be.

🏆 Top 10 Free Words to Minutes Converter

🎤 how long does a 4-minute speech have to be, ⏱ how to measure your speech length, 1. speech in minutes.

This is a free-to-use speech calculator to measure how long it takes to deliver your speech. To use this tool, you need to enter the word count and choose the reading speed: from slow (100 words per minute) to fast (160 words per minute). No registration is needed.

2. Words to Time

Words To Time as an ad-free text to speech calculator that will provide you with the number of minutes immediately. You can type the number of words you want to convert or paste your text and grab the result. Don’t forget to pick up the reading speed!

3. The Word Finder

This is a free speech length estimator. No sign-up, no ads, or captcha. Type the word count, choose speaking speed, and grab the result immediately. There are also available various cool apps like Font Generators, Backwards Text Converter, Time Calc, etc.

4. EdgeStudio

Edge Studio, the voice recording company, developed a free online script timer. Depending on the data available, you can put the words count, paste your text, or type the average words per line. You will get a result instantly after you click the button “Submit.” On the tab “Statistics,” you can find out stats about reading speed, word, and line count.

5. Copywritely

At this website, you can measure the time of reading your text within a couple of clicks using its words to minutes calculator. Paste your text, and at the bottom of the field, you will see the word count and the approximate speech time.

The tool is available in English, Russian, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and Dutch. Also, there are available Grammar Checker, Alphabetizer, Words to Pages, and other apps that will become handy for any writing purpose.

6. Read-O-Meter

Read-O-Meter is a simple and hassle-free word to minutes calculator to estimate the reading time. All you have to do is just type or paste the text you want to calculate the speech or article length and press the button “Estimate Reading Time.”

7. TheVoice Realm

This speech length calculator was designed by the online voice casting company. To use it, you need to paste your text or the word count and find out the estimated time. The page also contains background information about the speaking speed and how many minutes in 300, 900, and more words.

To use the Words to Time Conversion tool, you need to know the word count of your text. To get the estimated speech time, you need to type the number of words and adjust reading or speaking time, and you will get an immediate result. The tool is free and contains no ads.

9. Debatrix

This is another ad-free word to minute speech calculator to find out how long your speech will take. To measure the estimated time, you need to paste the text. The online app will count the number of words and speech duration.

10. TextConverter

The website provides plenty of tools that will be useful for students, SEO specialists, and writers.

Choose the text type: speech or locution, reading rhythm, and get the estimated time for your project. The app also will count the number of words and characters.

On the website, you can also find other utilities: Text Randomizer, Upper and Lower Case converters, E-mails Extractor, Hashtags, etc. The site is available in English and Portuguese languages.

Why do we need to measure the reading or speaking time?

There can be a variety of reasons. For example, you should prepare a 5-minute speech, or your post should not exceed 10 minutes of reading.

Speaking or reading time depends on the person who is going to read the text. Below, you will find a table that will help you quickly determine the duration of the content. The table is divided into two parts. The first one gives you reference information of minutes to words conversion. The second one shows the inverse correlation.

This table provides only the estimated information. The actual speech duration depends on your speaking pace, pauses, and so on. Below you will find out what impacts and how to measure your speaking rate.

Keep reading!

In this post, we will share with you how to measure how long your speech will be. Also, you will find out what impacts your speaking pace and how to practice it.

Determine the Word Count

First things first, so let’s determine the number of words you want to turn to minutes. If you use the Microsoft Word or Open Office, you will find out the word count on the status bar at the bottom of the screen.

In Google Docs, you can click Tools>>Word Count, or use the shortcut CTRL+SHIFT+C. If you use other word processors, refer to the help system of the tool.

Determine the Speech Pace

If you don’t know how many words you speak per minute, there are a couple of options to find out it. Check them below!

Use the sample text. Here is how it works: take your sample text, start the timer, and begin reading it aloud. When the minute is up, use your word processing app to figure out how many words you read. This will be your speed of speech.

Record yourself. Another way to find out your speaking pace is to record your speech. Set a timer for a minute, read any text, or talk about any topic while recording it. Then, listen to it and count the words you spoke. You can count it manually or use the software, for example, IBM Speech to Text calculator .

What Impacts Your Speaking Rate?

The speaking rate is individual. There are many factors that influence it. Here are some of them:

• Pauses, and rhetorical devices. The more it has, the slower your speaking rate will be.
• Condition of the speaker. If you’re angry, excited, or in a hurry, you will probably speak faster than usual. On the other hand, when you are tired, it makes it harder to speak quickly.
• Urgency. Here’s the deal: in emergencies, we are more likely will speak quicker than in a calm environment.
• Mental issues. Some mental conditions may lead to a slower or faster speech rate.
• Audience and event. For example, if you are recording audio for a radio ad, you will speak faster, since you are limited by the time. Another example is when you are trying to explain the complicated term to students. More likely, you will slow down your speech. During the presentation, you can also make pauses while changing the slides or checking your notes.
• Environment. Yes, your background directly impacts your speaking pace: your dialect, family, culture, friends, and neighbors, etc.
• Words and content complexity. The long and complex words also impact your speaking pace, making it slower. The same can be said about complex content—it requires more time to deliver it to the audience. Remember about this if you are limited by time.
• Language. Depending on the language you speak, your speaking rate will vary. In 2011, the University of Lyon researchers asked volunteers to read twenty texts in their native languages: English, German, French, Spanish, Mandarin, Japanese, and Italian. The purpose of studies was to find out how the density of syllables impacts the rate of communication.

Here’s what they found: the Mandarin language is the slowest one, with 5.18 syllables per second. However, it has the highest information density. The fastest language is Japanese, with its 7.84 syllables per second rate. English language speaking rate is 6.19 syllables per second.

Another interesting fact about the speaking rate is the world record shattered by Steve Woodmore . He articulates 637 words in one minute!

If you are wondering about the average speaking rates, check the table below:

Source: National Center for Voice and Speech

But what about reading? Is the reading pace the same as speaking?

On average, people read 180-300 words per minute. However, speed readers can read 1000+ words per minute.

How to Practice Your Speaking Rate?

You might have met people called a motor-mouth — they speak too fast, and words seem rocket out from their mouths. Others, on the opposite, speak too slowly. You can compare them with sloths from the movie Zootopia:

Both these cases can be fun for a while. However, the too fast and too slow speech will make the listeners lose their interest.

The solution is to practice your speaking rate, making it flexible, and adapting to your audience’s needs.

Below, you will find five easy exercises that will help you to develop a flexible speaking rate:

Read children’s books aloud.

Here’s the deal: when you read stories to a child, you might notice that some passages require you to speak faster, while others must be read at a slow pace.

Read a story several times aloud to become familiar with the text and its passages. If it is possible, record yourself. Then, try reading the text and change the pace. Listen to the records to hear the differences. Think of how the speaking rate impacts the comprehension of the text.

Read scientific reports.

You may find this exercise boring, but yet it will be helpful for delivering complex things in your future speeches.

First, pick up the newspaper or magazine. For example, you can try a Science magazine website — there are plenty of interesting topics, reports, and articles to discover. After you select the report, read it silently to familiarize yourself with the material. The next step is to read it aloud (don’t forget about recording yourself!), noting which parts of the text should be read at a slow pace, and which — faster.

You can extend this exercise and image that you read the article to someone who knows nothing about this topic. Listen to the records and pay attention to the changes you made.

Read your own class speeches.

Make a series of experiments with one of your old class speeches. First, record it delivering the speech at your normal speaking pace. Check the time it took to deliver.

The next step is to mark down some passages to read at slower and others — at a faster rate. Now, read it aloud again while adhering to the marks. Listen to the records; note how changed the time and overall speech comprehension.

Listen to various speakers.

Watch the movie, listen to the news on TV, and watch the classical play. Compare the speech rates of the speakers. You will notice the rhetorical devices they use and how effective their speech is. Then, experiment with your own speech and see how it changes.

Read texts you are familiar with.

Read the text you already know at a quicker or slower pace than usual. Record yourself and play it back. Note the places where your speaking rate was effective and where it wasn’t. Then, mark these places and reread the text again, implementing these changes and recording yourself. See how your speech has changed.

These simple exercises will help you to produce effective speeches for various audiences.

There are a couple of things you need to remember when you speak:

• Fast speaking indicates urgency, passion, and emotions. If you want to stimulate and excite the attention of your listeners, speak quickly. However, you should remember that after a couple of minutes of listening to fast speech, it becomes overwhelming.
• Slow speaking, on the other hand, indicates the seriousness of your point, its importance. Use this approach to grab the attention of your audience. The slow pace also will help them to easier process the information you want to deliver. Similar to fast speaking, too slow pace in your entire speech also can overwhelm and bore your listeners.

How to Make the Speech Memorable

Pace yourself to highlight the most important parts of the speech, and your audience will memorize what you said. The key to any great speech is the retention of the audience. Check the IvyPanda expert advice to make your talks memorable :

• Tell stories. Interesting examples not only illustrate your speech but also help listeners to recall what you said. Humor and short stories from your life will also help you to grab the attention of your audience. Important notice: tell only relevant ones and don’t overuse them.
• Use pauses and breaks. Just like a novel is broken into chapters and paragraphs, pauses in your speech serve as a signal of the end of one point and transition to another.

Use simple and short sentences and phrases. Short sentences and simple language will help you to maximize the engagement and comprehension of your audience. Avoid complex words unless you are talking about specific tech terms in front of the professionals in this sphere.

• Engage your audience with questions. At the beginning of the speech, ask your audience a question or two. This method will give them a hook and grab their attention.
• Review your speech after you wrote it. Check if everything is clear. Rehearse it in various rates and note places where you need to speed up your speech and where to slow it down.

Now you know how to find out the length of your speech, have all the tools to convert words to minutes, and advice on how to practice your speaking rate. Don’t forget to check our other tools to write outstanding speeches.

Updated: Oct 25th, 2023

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When you are working on a 5-minute speech, you may want to know how many words you should write. This page contains links to 10 free online words to minutes converters. Here you will also find tips on how to measure your speaking rate and how to make your speech memorable.

Words to Minutes Calculator

Convert words to minutes to find out the time of your speech or text reading

Paste a text

Paste a content for which you want to calculate reading or speaking time.

Choose a speed of speech

Set how many words per minute you usually read or pronounce.

Evaluate a result

Get instant result with forecast of time period your speech will take.

Fix content issues

Take time on fixing grammar and readability issues to make your speech clear.

What’s inside?

Plagiarism checker

If you are interested to make your speech unique, use duplicate content checker to detect the parts of content that are copied from other websites.

Keyword density checker

Sometimes keyword stuffing can spoil a speech. Keyword density tool will show what words are used the most often in your speech and replace them with synonyms.

Article rewriter

Online editor inside helps to get a list of highlighted issues, fix them instantly and make your content easy to understand.

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How Many Words Should Be in My Speech? (Based on Number of Minutes)

Crafting a speech? Typically, individuals speak at 125-200 words per minute. For instance, a 5-minute speech is about 625-1000 words. Keep this pace in mind to tailor your speech’s length to your time limit. Familiarity and nerves can also influence speed.

You can use our handy guide to find out how many words should be in your speech, based on the number of minutes you have to speak. We will also discuss the ideal word count for different lengths of speeches. Let’s get started!

At a Glance:

• Average speaking rate is 125-200 words per minute.
• Word count for a 5-minute speech is typically 625-1000 words.
• Speaking speed varies based on personal style, familiarity, and nerves.
• Several factors influence the ideal word count for a given speech duration.
• Regular rehearsal ensures effective speech delivery.

Speech Duration vs. Word Count

Estimating speaking time for a manuscript, factors affecting the word count in your timed speech, number of words based on the number of minutes.

The average person speaks at a rate of about 125 to 200 words per minute, but this can vary depending on your natural speaking style and the context of your speech. Other factors like how well you know your material and how nervous you are can also affect your speaking rate.

When it comes to speeches, many people worry about how many words they should use per minute. The truth is, there is no specific number. However, knowing the average word count for different speech lengths can help you plan and pace your words more effectively.

Here is a breakdown of the average word counts for speeches of different lengths.

To simplify things, let’s look at word counts for standard time intervals:

1-minute speech: 125 – 200 words 5-minute speech: 625 – 1000 words 10-minute speech: 1250 – 2000 words 15-minute speech: 1875 – 3000 words 20-minute speech: 2500 – 4000 words 30-minute speech: 3750 – 6000 words 45-minute speech: 5625 – 9000 words 60-minute (or 1-hour) speech: 7500 – 12000 words

For intermediate minutes, you can use the average rate of 125-200 wpm to estimate.

If you have a written speech or manuscript, you might be curious about its duration when spoken.

Here’s a quick guide based on word counts:

100 words: About 0.5 to 0.8 minutes 200 words: About 1 to 1.6 minutes 250 words: About 1.25 to 2 minutes 500 words: About 2.5 to 4 minutes (And so on, using the average speaking rate of 125-200 wpm.)

Several factors can impact how many words your speech should ideally have for a given time frame. Understanding these variables can help you deliver a presentation that’s both engaging and perfectly timed. Here’s a breakdown of these influential factors:

• Natural Speaking Rate: Every individual possesses a unique speaking pace. Some naturally express thoughts swiftly, clocking in around 200 words per minute or even faster. In contrast, others may speak more deliberately, averaging around 125 words per minute. This inherent rhythm greatly influences the word count of a speech for a given time frame.
• Audience Demographic: Your audience’s age, background, and familiarity with the topic can dictate the speed at which you should present. For example, a technical presentation for industry experts might proceed faster than one for novices, even if the word count remains consistent.

• Topic Complexity: More intricate or challenging subjects demand a slower pace to ensure comprehension. In such cases, even if the speech’s duration is lengthy, the word count might be on the lower side to accommodate pauses and explanations.
• Use of Visual Aids: Incorporating slides, charts, or videos can mean fewer words spoken. Visual elements often require pauses, allowing the audience to process the information visually rather than just auditorily.
• Nervousness: Unsurprisingly, nervousness can speed up one’s delivery. A speaker might rush through their material when anxious, resulting in a higher word count in a shorter time frame.

Crafting a speech that’s both engaging and appropriately timed is an art. While the word count provides a framework, considering the factors above ensures your speech is not just well-timed, but also effective. As you prepare, always prioritize clarity, engagement, and resonance with your audience over sticking rigidly to word counts.

It’s important to know how many words your speech should be so that you can plan and structure it accordingly. We hope this guide will help you determine the number of minutes your speech should be based on the number of words. Keep in mind that this is just a general guideline, and you may need more or less time depending on your content.

So use this as a starting point, and then adjust as needed. And most importantly, practice, practice, practice! The more you run through your speech beforehand, the smoother it will go when you’re up in front of an audience. Thanks for reading!

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• Speech rate

What's your speech rate?

Why a flexible speaking rate is important.

By:  Susan Dugdale  

Is your speech rate too fast, too slow, or just right?

And what is, a normal speaking pace?

The answers to both questions are not straight forward. They fall into the 'it depends' category. And what they're depending on is context. 

Context is everything when it comes to deciding whether the speed you speak at is good, extremely good, or poor.

What you'll find on this page

• why, and when, speech rate becomes important
• what speech rate is and how it is calculated
• 2 ways of finding out your own speech rate
• speech rate guidelines - what's fast or slow?
• reasons to change your speech rate
• exercises to develop a flexible speaking rate
• a link to a free printable: a diagnostic resource used by speech therapists to test speech fluency and rate, The Rainbow Passage
• a link to a quick reference guide: how many words per minute are in 1 through to 10 minute speeches .
• links to authoritative references for more information

Why, and when, is speech rate important? 

Speech rate – how fast, or how slowly a person talks, only becomes important when the speed of their speech becomes a barrier to effective communication.

If people listening are not able to fully take in or comprehend what is being said and a large part of the reason for that is speech rate, then it's time to take action. 

What is speech rate? How is it calculated?

Speech rate refers to a person's habitual speaking speed. It's calculated through counting the normal number of words they say per minute, and just like people, words per minute (wpm) can vary hugely.

Additionally, because all words are not equal, wpm can only ever be an approximate measure. For instance, a word can be as simple as a single syllable like "it" or a single letter like “I”, or a collection of many syllables such as “hippopotamus” or “tintinnabulation” - the ringing of bells.

One syllable is considerably quicker to say than many, just as a simple short sentence is faster to say than a complex longer one. 

How to work out your own speech rate

Here are two ways of working out your habitual speech rate.

The first is to read aloud The Rainbow Passage. This piece of text is frequently used by speech language therapists  as a diagnostic tool   to test a person's ability to produce connected speech . 

Record yourself as you read it aloud at your regular speaking rate for one minute.

How far you get through the passage will give you an indication * of your rate of speech.

Here are the first 175 words. The entire piece has 330 words.

(There's a printable pdf of the whole  Rainbow Passage for you to download at the bottom of the page.)

The Rainbow Passage

When the sunlight strikes raindrops in the air, they act as a prism and form a rainbow. The rainbow is a division of white light into many beautiful colors. These take the shape of a long round arch, with its path high above, and its two ends apparently beyond the horizon. (51 words)

There is, according to legend, a boiling pot of gold at one end. People look, but no one ever finds it. When a man looks for something beyond his reach, his friends say he is looking for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. (99 words)

Throughout the centuries people have explained the rainbow in various ways. Some have accepted it as a miracle without physical explanation. To the Hebrews it was a token that there would be no more universal floods. The Greeks used to imagine that it was a sign from the gods to foretell war or heavy rain. The Norsemen considered the rainbow as a bridge over which the gods passed from earth to their home in the sky. (175 words)

* I've used the word 'indication' because you are reading aloud rather than giving a speech or talking to a friend. There is a difference.

You'll also need to take into account your familiarity with the text. A 'cold' reading, that is reading the passage without seeing it before hand will probably influence how much of it you get through in a minute.

Record yourself delivering a speech

The second way to test yourself is to record one of your own speeches or presentations. This will give you a much more accurate measure of your actual speech rate.

If you have the text of your speech in a word document you'll have access under the Tools tab (see image below) to the total word count.

Record the speech. Then take the time you took to deliver it and use it to divide the number of words.

To give you an example I recorded the 'Hall of Fame' speech I wrote for a client a couple of years ago. I took 4.9 minutes to say it through.  The total word count of the speech is 641. 

Therefore, 641 words divided by 4.9 minutes = a speaking rate of 130 words per minute.

Speech rate guidelines

Studies show speech rate alters depending on the speaker's culture, geographical location, subject matter, choice of vocabulary and its usage (simple short sentences v complex),  fluency, use of pauses,  gender, age, emotional state, health, profession, audience, and whether or not they're using their primary, or native, language.

However, despite these variables, there are widely accepted guidelines. These are:

• Slow speech is usually regarded as less than 110 wpm, or words per minute.
• Conversational speech generally falls between 120 wpm at the slow end, to 160 - 200 wpm in the fast range.
• People who read books for radio or podcasts are often asked to speak at 150-160 wpm.
• Auctioneers or commentators who practice speed speech are usually in the 250 to 400 wpm range.

Why change your speech rate?

Generally people are not conscious of their habitual speaking speed and if they are easily understood by those listening to them there is little reason to change. Their speech could be considered too slow or too fast by people outside of their normal environment but if they are not routinely communicating with them it doesn't really matter.

However changes of audience and speech purpose can force a need to become more aware of speaking speed.

For example - a shift from one part of a country to another, from a slower speaking area to a faster speaking one, will, through audience response, make a habitually slower speaker aware of their speech rate.

Similarly someone with naturally fast speech who takes a job requiring presentations to colleagues or customers, will find themselves having to slow down in order to communicate effectively.

Having an accent makes a difference too. If the language you're using is not your first one there may be pronunciation issues which make it harder for your audience to understand you. Slowing down your rate of speech will help. 

Public speaking and rate of speech

If you're giving a speech or presentation, the concept of a normal speaking speed doesn't apply.

What does is flexibility - the ability of the speaker to mix and match pace appropriately with speech content and the audience's ability to comprehend it.

Experience and audience reaction will teach you that a one-size-fits-all approach will be far less effective than careful variation in rate.

Exercises to change speaking rate

If you know you speak either too fast, too slowly or without speed variation then exercises to develop flexibility are what you need.

Here are   Quick and Easy Effective Tips for Speaking Rate Flexibility

These six exercises specifically address the undesirable audience responses brought on by a speaker either talking too quickly or too slowly. Have fun with them!

How many words per minute in a speech?

When you have a speech to give with a strict time limit it's useful to have an estimate of how many words will fit comfortably into the time allocated, before you begin to write.

For more see:  How many words per minute in a speech: a quick reference guide  for 1 through to 10 minute speeches.  

Do you know what your voice says about you?

Find out about Voice Image First impressions count and they're not only about looking good, but sounding good too!

References and additional information

Miller, N., Maruyama, G., Beaber, R. J., & Valone, K. (1976). Speed of speech and persuasion . Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 34(4), 615–624. 

Smith, S. M., & Shaffer, D. R. (1991). Celerity and cajolery: Rapid speech may promote or inhibit persuasion through its impact on message elaboration . Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 17(6), 663–669. 

Rodero, E. (2012). A comparative analysis of speech rate and perception in radio bulletins . Text & Talk, 32 (3), pp. 391–411 

Apple, W., Streeter, L.A., & Krauss, R. M. (1979).  Effects of Pitch and Speech Rate on Personal Attributions . Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 37( 5), 715-727

Optimal Podcast Words per Minute Rate for Biggest Impact - an extremely thorough article by Chris Land of improvepodcast.com

What is the ideal rate of speech?   Public speaking coach Lynda Stucky 'shows and tells' about speech rate. She's made 7 variations of The Rainbow Passage so that you can hear the difference speed makes.

Speech Pace: do you talk too fast or too slow? Take this test . - a YouTube video by speech teacher  Laura Bergells.

Perfect Your Speed Talking at This Auction School  - a YouTube video showing how The Missouri Auction School teaches speed speech. ☺

Download The Rainbow Passage

Click the link to download a printable pdf of   The Rainbow Passage .

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Words To Time Converter

Estimate how many minutes your speeches, presentations, and voice-over scripts will take based on your words per minute rate!

Words per Minute: 183

How To Convert Words to Minutes Using This Tool?

If you have a certain number of words or a piece of text you want to time, you can either type in the word count or paste the text into the provided area. This tool will then calculate how long it would take to read that text out loud.

The talk time estimate is calculated using the average speaking speed of adults, which is determined to be 183 words per minute based on scientific studies. If you’re interested in how long it would take to read silently, it’s estimated at 238 words per minute ( This data is also backed by research )

You can adjust the slider to change the words per minute value, which will affect the talk time estimate. However, the silent reading time estimate remains fixed at 238 words per minute. 

For ease of use, we’ve also provided reference points for slow, average, and fast reading rates below the slider.

To begin anew, simply click the ‘clear text’ button to erase the content and restore the slider back to its original setting of 183.

I. Who is This Words to Minutes Converter Tool For?

If you are a student wondering how long is my essay or you’ve been tasked with writing a speech and need to know how many words to aim for and how many minutes will it take to deliver or perhaps you are a podcaster, just starting out, who wants the ability to easily synchronize music and spoken word without having to painstakingly calculate seconds between them, then this words to time converter (or speech time calculator-you may call it if you are a public speaker) is precisely for you! 

From now on, instead of spending long hours in front of the computer trying to figure out how many seconds it takes for one phrase or section of dialogue to end and another to begin, you can let our innovative tool do all the work and convert your text to time quickly and accurately. With this powerful tool at your disposal, whether you’re giving a TED talk or just need to nail a business presentation, your life will become a little bit easier.

So keep reading to learn more about what this fantastic words to minutes converter has in store for public speakers, aspiring students, and professional radio producers alike!

Whether you want to read the text silently or speak aloud, you can use this tool as both:

• Reading time calculator
• Talk time calculator

II.I Explanation of the Reading Time

Reading time refers to the duration it takes for an average person to read a written text silently while still comprehending its content. Based on an extensive analysis of 190 studies that involved 18,573 participants , research conducted by Marc Brysbaert in 2019 suggests that the typical silent reading speed for an adult individual is approximately 238 words per minute .

To convert word count to read time for a specific text, you can do so by dividing the total word count of the text by this established value of 238. Here is the mathematical equation for determining the duration of reading time in minutes:

Reading Time = Total Word Count / 238

II.II Explanation of the Speech Time

Speech time refers to the duration it takes for an average person to read a text out loud. Based on data from 77 studies involving 5,965 people , it’s been found that most adults read aloud at a speed of approximately 183 words per minute ( research conducted by Marc Brysbaert in 2019 ). To figure out how long it will take to read a specific piece of text aloud, you can divide the total number of words in the text by this average rate of 183 words per minute.

Of course, it’s important to note that talk time can vary depending on factors such as clarity of speech, pauses for emphasis, and use of visual aids. However, using this tool for converting the number of words to minutes can still provide a helpful guideline for planning and practicing your presentation. By having a better understanding of speech rates, you can ensure that your message is delivered effectively and efficiently.

III. Benefits of Using a Words to Time Converter

Time management in presentations.

Effective time management during presentations is crucial to ensure the audience remains engaged and the information is accurately conveyed. This is where our speaking time converter comes in handy. By using this tool, presenters can easily determine how many words they need to include in their presentation to stay within the allotted time frame.

Not only does it help with time management, but it also ensures that the pacing of the presentation is consistent, making it easier for the audience to follow. With the use of this tool, presenters can confidently deliver their presentations without the worry of running over time or rushing through it.

Estimated speech time for public speaking

Public speaking can be nerve-wracking, especially when you have too little or too much information to fill your time slot. You wonder only if there were an accurate public speaking time calculator available so that you could be able to allocate the appropriate amount of time to each section of your presentation, ensuring that you cover all the necessary points without rushing or going over time. 

Effective pacing is key in ensuring your message is delivered with clarity and impact.

Most public speakers target an average of 130-150 words per minute for their spoken content, meaning you should aim to limit your speaking time to roughly one minute per 130-150 words. While this may take some practice to achieve, the end result is a confident, well-timed delivery that keeps your audience engaged from start to finish.

Remember, in public speaking, less is often more—take your time to breathe and emphasize key points. Your audience will appreciate your thoughtful and measured approach. For that, you can use this tool and adjust your words to speech time.

Accurate estimations for audiobooks and podcasts

As more and more people turn to audiobooks and podcasts for their entertainment and information needs, accurate estimations of listening time have become more important than ever. After all, there’s nothing worse than settling in for a quick listen only to find yourself trapped in a story that goes on for hours longer than you anticipated.

That’s why it’s great to see publishers and podcast producers taking estimated reading time seriously, providing listeners with the information they need to choose the right content for their schedule. Whether you’re looking for a quick listen on your daily commute or a lengthy distraction for a lazy Sunday afternoon, accurate estimations using this speaking time calculator make it easier than ever to find the perfect content.

IV. Some Popular Speech Times

V. conclusion.

As the world becomes more fast-paced, time is a precious commodity. Determining how long your script will take to read, whether for a presentation or a video, can make a significant difference in engaging and retaining your audience’s attention.

That’s where our Words to Time Converter comes in handy. It’s a valuable tool for anyone working in various professions, from broadcast journalists to teachers to executives. No matter the industry, time is of the essence, and knowing how long your speech or presentation will take is crucial for effective communication.

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Words per Minute Calculator

How long do you think it will take to deliver a speech with a thousand or more words? How much time do you need to read a book? To many, these questions may seem like a pointless undertaking but if you think about, it could be quite advantageous in certain situations. A words per minute calculator can be your best friend to assist you in converting between words and time.

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How to use the words per minute calculator?

This words per minute calculator is a very simple online tool. Use it to calculate wpm without having to perform the calculations by hand. Here are the steps to follow for this speech words per minute calculator:

• There are two parts to this calculator. First, there’s the Speaking part. Here, you choose the Speaking Speed from the drop-down menu.
• Enter the value of your Speaking Speed.
• Then enter the value of the Speaking Time and choose the unit of measurement from the drop-down menu.
• For the Reading part, choose the Reading Speed from the drop-down menu then enter the value of your Reading Speed.
• Then enter the value of the Reading Time and choose the unit of measurement from the drop-down menu.
• After entering all of these values, the words per minute calculator generates the value of the Number of Words.

How do you calculate words per minute?

A words per minute calculator is also known as a how long to read calculator. This tool is a measurement which defines the speed at which you can recognize and form words when you communicate with others.

The standard formula to find your wpm remains the same whether you’re trying to solve for your speed in typing, speaking or reading. Here are the steps to calculate this value:

• For the quickest results to calculate wpm speed, use a words per minute calculator.
• Alternatively, you may also open a word processor of your choice and use a timer. For this, you need a program on your computer for you to type in, a stopwatch or timer, and a text source.
• Set the timer for a specific length of time. Usually, the longer the time, the lesser mistakes you make. Make sure that your source of text is long enough so as not to exceed the time limit you have established.
• When you have made all the required preparations, you can start your timer and proceed to type, read or say the source text out loud. Keep going until the timer sounds off, in which case you stop immediately.
• Now, divide the number of words typed by the time. Solving for your WPM at this point should be very easy as it involves simple arithmetic:

WPM = words types/number of minutes you originally set the timer for

• If you have a modern word processor, this should have a “word count” feature. With this, you won’t have to count words manually.

How many wpm can I read?

You may prepare yourself to face an audience and you want to know how long the presentation will be. For this, you need to determine your own speaking speed or the total number of words you can say given a certain amount of time. The average speed for speaking in the English language is 130 wpm .

If anyone has informed you that you talk either too slow or too fast, then you have to make the necessary adjustments. You can easily determine your speech speed. Set your timer to sixty seconds then start reading out loud. As soon as the timer goes off, stop and count how many words you have read.

Reading speed involves this same principle. The average speed of reading for English is 170-240 words per minute but this depends upon several factors like the difficulty of the text or a person’s natural aptitude. Again, you can easily measure your reading speed then enter this directly into the how long to read calculator.

Set your timer at sixty seconds and start reading the book silently. When the timer sounds off, stop and count how many words you have read. Enter the number of words into the required field in the calculator.

How many words on average is a 5-minute speech?

Once you have determined your reading or speaking speed, the calculations to perform for your wpm will be as easy as pie. Remember that you have already entered your wpm speeds in the calculator. The next required data could be how many words you have in your speech.

Enter the required values into the speech words per minute calculator, which computes for you how long it will take to make your presentation. You can even use this online tool to determine the number of words for a given time frame.

Let’s assume that the time frame is 5 minutes . Let’s take a look at the calculations you need to make:

• Choose whether you’re speaking in front of an audience or reading an article silently. For this example, let’s choose speech.
• Choose your speaking speed and assume it’s 130 wpm .
• Try to determine your speech’s duration, let’s say 5-minutes .
• Multiply the speaking speed by the time to determine the number of words in a 5-minute time frame.

No of Words = wpm x time = 130 x 5 = 650 words.

This means that for a 5-minute speech , the maximum number of words you can have a is 650 words .

How fast should I speak?

Studies have shown that speech rates can alter and this depends on several factors like the speaker’s culture, subject matter, geographic location, gender, fluency, profession, emotional state or audience. Despite these factors, there are some guidelines on speech speed which are widely accepted. These are:

• Conversational speech generally falls from 120 wpm at the lower end of the spectrum, to 160 – 200 wpm in the faster range.
• People who read books for podcasts or radio are typically requested to speed up between 150 – 160 wpm .
• Commentators or auctioneers usually go through practice sessions in speeding up their wpm which could range from 250 – 400 wpm .

Words to Minutes

Writing a great speech requires careful considering of several factors. One of the essential considerations is the time you will have to make your speech. When making a speech, your audience expects you to be interesting, charming, and articulate. But, how do you determine the number of words to speak per minute to ensure that your audience follows your speech? What’s more, how do you ensure that your speech is not too short or too long?

Well, these are common questions that most speakers ask when preparing their speech. One of the factors that determine the number of words you can speak per minute is whether the speech will be recorded or live. Additionally, your audience should influence how fast you speak when making a speech. For instance, if your audience is familiar with your topic, you can speak a little faster than when addressing people that are not familiar with the topic. Luckily, our speech writing service words to minutes’ converter can help you determine how fast your speech should be.

Person Average Speech Speed

On average, a person speaks around 90 to 150 words per minute. However, this depends on whether the speaker encounters cheering, applause, and other crowd reactions. What’s more, whether the speaker emphasizes some points or not can influence the speed with which they make a speech.

Perhaps, an ideal way to determine the time your speech will take is using our words to minutes speech calculator. With this tool, you can determine the number of words to write in your speech depending on the time you will have to make your speech. Also, bear in mind the fact that you will have to speed up and slow down in some cases depending on the crowd’s reaction.

Effective Words to Minutes Speech Converter

Enter details.

Our speech writing services words to minutes converter tool will enable you to decide on the length of your speech.

Minutes to Words Converter

To determine the number of minutes your speech will take, consider this minutes to words converter.

• 1-minute speech should have between 135 and 150 words
• 1.5 minutes speech should have between 202 and 225 words
• 6 minutes speech should have around 1500 words

Words to Speech Speed Calculator

• 130 words should take one minute
• 260 words should take 2 minutes
• 390 words should take 3 minutes.

When writing a speech, use our calculator to determine the number of words to include depending on the time you will have to present your speech.

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What our clients have to say?

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What i asked for.

This company has the most qualified speech writers. I received a speech that got me the response I wanted from the audience. Use this service if stuck with your speech and you won’t regret your decision.

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How Many Words Per Minute Does the Average Person Speak?

By ellen gutoskey | may 22, 2022.

Unless you’re an audiobook narrator or a frequent public speaker (or you have some other job involving the relationship between time and speech), you might not have any idea how many words people tend to utter in a given minute.

First off, it depends on what kind of speaking you’re doing: a presentation, a norm conversation, etc. But even when you break it into separate categories, words-per-minute estimates vary widely. If you’re casually talking to a friend, some sources claim that you’re probably saying somewhere between 100 and 130 words per minute, while others cite the range as 120 to 150 words. According to professional speech training firm Successfully Speaking , conversational speech is typically in the 150-180 ballpark. 

Whatever the average conversational speech rate may be, it’s generally agreed that presentations should be spoken more slowly than that. Improve Podcast estimates that the average falls between 100 and 150 words per minute. But speeches are fairly often given at a quicker pace. VirtualSpeech crunched the numbers on five popular TED talks of various lengths and found that the speaking rates actually fell between 154 (delivered by Brené Brown) and 201 (Tony Robbins) words per minute, for an average of 173 wpm.

On the whole, audiobook narrators, radio hosts, and podcasters supposedly speak slightly faster than they would during a regular chat: around 150 to 160 words per minute. Auctioneers are in a class of their own, clocking roughly 250 words per minute. And commentators, who need to keep up with fast-paced play, may even outpace auctioneers.

But when it comes to the fastest talker of all, nobody’s ever done it better than Sean Shannon, who holds the Guinness World Record for ‘ fastest talker .’ In 1995, Shannon recited the 260-word ‘To be or not to be’ speech from Shakespeare’s Hamlet in 23.8 seconds—which works out to 655 words per minute.

Have you got a Big Question you'd like us to answer? If so, let us know by emailing us at [email protected].

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What is your Speech Rate? Compare your speaking speed to your typing speed. Test your wpm. Play top-notch typing games. Find it all from TypingMaster! The average speaking speed for English speakers in the USA is about 150 wpm and the average typing speed is 40 wpm. Professional typists can exceed 100 wpm.

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What is online speaking speed test?

How to speak faster.

• Practice speaking at a faster pace by setting a timer and trying to fit as many words as possible into the allotted time.
• Record yourself speaking and listen to the recording to identify areas where you tend to slow down or hesitate.
• Take a public speaking course or find a speaking coach to help you improve your pacing and delivery.
• Try to speak in a clear and confident voice, this will help you to speak faster.
• Use contractions when speaking. This will help you to speak faster and make you sound more natural.

How to calculate the speech speed rate?

Rate of Speech Speed can be calculated in words per minute (wpm) just like the typing speed. The average Speaking Speed Rate is 150 wpm (2.5 words per second). Traditionally you had to calculate your speech tempo manually by recording yourself talking for a minute and then counting the number of words in your speech. After you divide the number of words by the minutes your speech took, you can get the WPM score. Nowadays you can easily test your English Speaking Speed with TypingMaster's Free Speech Test above. This web page uses an automatic voice speech recognition features of your web browser to analyze your speed. Just follow the easy on-screen instructions carefully and remember to enable both your microphone and speakers. If the speed test does not work properly please use the latest Chrome Browser on your desktop device or mobile phone.

Are you speaking quickly or slowly?

What is the average speaking speed.

• Less than 110 wpm - slow speech rate
• 120-160 wpm - Normal Conversational speech speed
• 100-150 wpm - Presentation speech speed
• Over 150 wpm - Radio Podcast speech speed
• Over 250 wpm - Commentator speech speed

How fast should I speak?

The ideal speaking rate varies depending on the context and audience, but generally, a speaking rate of around 150-160 words per minute is considered to be a good target for most speakers. This rate is fast enough to keep the audience engaged, but not so fast that it becomes difficult for them to understand you. However, it's important to note that the rate at which you speak should be tailored to your audience and the situation. For example, if you are giving a lecture, you may want to speak slightly slower to ensure that the audience has time to take notes. On the other hand, if you're giving a presentation at a fast-paced industry event, you may want to speak slightly faster to keep the audience engaged. Speaking slowly and clearly makes your articulation more clear and your audience stays more engaged in your presentation.

How fast do you speak? What is your Speech Rate? Speaking Speed Test for Chrome/Edge

Speed test not working how to fix voice recognization speed test problems.

• Please make sure your speakers are not muted when you start this test
• If you hear "HELLO" multiple times, please enable your Microphone from the upper left corner
• If you do not hear "HELLO" once, please turn your volume up
• Microphone should be approximately 6 to 12 inches away from your face
• Do not mumble - be clear enough so that your words are easy to understand
• Avoid running words together
• Speak slightly louder than the average
• Speak using the lower-end of your voice range
• Start testing your speaking at a moderate pace
• Please use the latest Chrome or Edge browser

Omission of reconciliation 'glaring' and 'alarming' in budget speech, First Nations leaders say

Assembly of first nations to renew calls for a first ministers meeting this year.

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First Nations leaders are panning this year's federal budget and demanding a renewed commitment from the Liberal government, after Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland failed to mention reconciliation in Tuesday's budget speech.

"It's alarming," said National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, head of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), at a Wednesday news conference.

The AFN represents chiefs countrywide and Woodhouse Nepinak said it will renew calls for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to organize a first ministers meeting this year to discuss a path forward on reconciliation and the longstanding issues facing First Nations.

Cathy Merrick, grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, also expressed disappointment with the "glaring omission" in the budget process.

"I was there yesterday to be able to hear — and I did not hear any words pertaining to reconciliation," she told reporters in Ottawa.

Freeland's 2024 budget pledges $9 billion in new cash for Indigenous Peoples, with major line items covering child and family services, education, health, housing and on-reserve income assistance.

But her 3,500-word, 40-minute speech in the House of Commons mentioned none of this. Instead, it doubled as an expansive political manifesto targeting millennial and Gen Z voters facing a housing and affordability crunch — and aggressive courting from the opposition Conservatives.

Now compare that with her speech in 2021.

Freeland, who is also deputy prime minister, mentioned Indigenous Peoples nine times when delivering that budget — which included $18 billion for Indigenous communities.

'We're absolutely concerned'

The change in tone sparked worry the government and country may once again turn their backs on First Nations amid increased general economic anxiety, Woodhouse Nepinak said.

"We're absolutely concerned," she said.

"We wouldn't be standing here if we weren't."

• Indigenous infrastructure gap estimated at more than $425B
• Liberals pledge $9B in new money for Indigenous communities in 2024 budget

A spokesperson for Freeland cited the 181 per cent increase in Indigenous spending since 2015, a key figure from the budget book itself, as a measure of the Liberals' commitment.

"The deputy prime minister and the government are absolutely committed to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples," wrote Katherine Cuplinskas.

Despite concerns, the national chief welcomed the investments in some key areas but expressed disappointment with the lack of action on housing and infrastructure.

She told CBC Indigenous on Tuesday she gave the budget a score of five out of 10. Woodhouse Nepinak initially gave it four out of 10, but upped it a point because of the $5 billion in loan guarantees for natural resource and energy projects, she said.

The Liberals have pledged to close the Indigenous infrastructure gap by 2030, which pre-budget estimates assessed at more $425 billion for First Nation, Inuit and Métis.

David Monias, chief of Pimicikamak Cree Nation, roughly 750 kilometres north of Winnipeg, told reporters 2,000 people are on a list in need of homes for his community.

"Good news for Canada, bad news for the First Nations, that's what it comes down to," Monias said of the budget.

At the current rate, "we will be far from having a closure of that gap by 2030," added Brendan Mitchell, the AFN's Newfoundland regional chief.

Ministers defend record

Others were less critical.

The Métis National Council praised the plan but did point to "critical gaps" remaining for Métis in areas like health and emergency management.

"This is a step in the right direction," said President Cassidy Caron in a statement.

David Chartrand, president of the Manitoba Métis Federation, which is not affiliated with the national council, was similarly pleased with the budget but echoed the desire to see more Métis-specific commitments.

Reconciliation missing in 2024 budget, warn First Nation Chiefs

Natan Obed, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, which advocates for 70,000 Inuit in Canada, was encouraged with the budget but disappointed with the lack of funding for tuberculosis elimination.

In 2018, the Liberals promised to eliminate the disease in Inuit regions by 2030 and cut rates in half by 2025, a target some say they are on pace to miss . 

The Liberals' tendency to make big promises and set ambitious goals but fail to spend what's needed to meet them raises questions about what path the government is really on, Obed said.

Inuit would benefit from "a more grounded relationship" with the entire country "to ensure that we don't waste our time, that we don't set unrealistic expectations, and that we show the good relationship," Obed said.

For their part, the ministers in charge of Indigenous affairs rejected the suggestion that reconciliation has dropped in priority.

"I wouldn't say $9 billion is dropped in priority," Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu told reporters on Wednesday.

"That's a big investment."

• 2024 federal budget's key takeaways: Housing and carbon rebates, students and sin taxes
• Pre-fab home factory, Indigenous post-secondary: 2024 federal budget highlights for the North

Hajdu suggested the government's spending is still substantial despite the enormous infrastructure gap her own government promised to bridge.

"If you take $450 billion, and let's say you divide it over 10 years, that's still $45 billion per budget over the next 10 years," she said.

"I think our ambitious investments have gone a long way."

Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree said the Liberal relationship with Indigenous Peoples remains strong.

"I think there may be a need for recalibration of the relationship, but there's certainly no need for reset," he said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brett Forester is a reporter with CBC Indigenous in Ottawa. He is a member of the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation in southern Ontario who previously worked as a journalist with the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network.

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