Instant speech time
See speaking aloud and silent reading estimates update as you type. Use it as a speech length calculator or text-to-time speech estimator.
Speech Time Calculator
Convert words to minutes instantly. Paste your script or enter your word count to calculate exact speaking time, silent reading time, and target word budgets.
✓ Free to use⌑ 100% privacy↗ No sign-ups
THE SCRIPT
Stays on this device
Know your word count? Enter it for an instant estimate — no pasting needed.
0Words
0CharactersNo spaces: 0
0Sentences
0Paragraphs
0Est. lines
SPEAKING PACEA comfortable, conversational pace
60 · Deliberate400 · Very fast
Words per minute
Ready to rehearse?Your draft saves automatically in this browser.
MORE THAN A WORD COUNTER
Words to Minutes Converter & Live Speech Timer
A complete speech time calculator and speaking time estimator, from first draft to final rehearsal.
Your pace, your way
Choose TED Talk, presentation, lecture, toast, storytelling, pitch, or voice-over scenarios. Fine-tune from 60 to 400 WPM.
Time-limit word budget
Set a target from 3 to 20 minutes or enter a custom limit. Get your word budget and see when a script is on, under, or over time.
Practice timer & pace
Start, pause, reset, and mark laps. Track the words spoken to compare your actual pace with your estimate.
Distraction-free teleprompter
Rehearse your script in focus mode with adjustable text size and hands-free scrolling speed.
Words, characters & counts
Check word, character, sentence, paragraph, and estimated line counts. Switch to CPM for Chinese, Japanese, or Korean text.
Copy & export
Copy a time summary or download your script with estimated timestamps added between paragraphs.
Private autosave
Your script stays in your browser and saves on this device. No account, sign-up, or upload required.
PLAN WITH CONFIDENCE
How many words in common speech durations?
Use these estimates as a starting point. A pause for emphasis, audience response, or a slide change can add time to a live presentation.
Words to time conversion matrix
| Word count | Slow 100 WPM | Average 130 WPM | Fast 160 WPM | Silent reading 230 WPM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 words | 1 min 0 sec | 46 sec | 38 sec | 26 sec |
| 250 words | 2 min 30 sec | 1 min 55 sec | 1 min 34 sec | 1 min 5 sec |
| 300 words | 3 min 0 sec | 2 min 18 sec | 1 min 53 sec | 1 min 18 sec |
| 500 words | 5 min 0 sec | 3 min 51 sec | 3 min 8 sec | 2 min 10 sec |
| 650 words | 6 min 30 sec | 5 min 0 sec | 4 min 4 sec | 2 min 50 sec |
| 750 words | 7 min 30 sec | 5 min 46 sec | 4 min 41 sec | 3 min 16 sec |
| 1,000 words | 10 min 0 sec | 7 min 42 sec | 6 min 15 sec | 4 min 21 sec |
| 1,300 words | 13 min 0 sec | 10 min 0 sec | 8 min 8 sec | 5 min 39 sec |
| 1,500 words | 15 min 0 sec | 11 min 32 sec | 9 min 23 sec | 6 min 31 sec |
| 2,000 words | 20 min 0 sec | 15 min 23 sec | 12 min 30 sec | 8 min 42 sec |
| 2,500 words | 25 min 0 sec | 19 min 14 sec | 15 min 38 sec | 10 min 52 sec |
| 3,000 words | 30 min 0 sec | 23 min 5 sec | 18 min 45 sec | 13 min 3 sec |
01
How to calculate speech time accurately
Divide the number of words in your script by your speaking pace. For example, 650 words at 130 words per minute takes about five minutes. Use this speaking time calculator or speech time estimator as a guide, then rehearse to account for pauses, transitions, and your natural rhythm.
Time in minutes = words ÷ WPM
02
Understanding speaking speeds
Many presentations land around 120–150 WPM. Slower delivery (100–120 WPM) can make complex ideas easier to follow; conversational storytelling may be quicker. Your audience and subject matter matter as much as the number.
100 Slow130 Average160 Fast
03
Speech timing across languages
Speaking rates vary between languages and speakers. English, Spanish, German, Portuguese, and Hindi estimates use words per minute. For Chinese, Japanese, or Korean scripts, switch to character-per-minute mode for a character-based estimate.
Popular speech length guides
GOOD TO KNOW
Frequently asked questions
How many words are in a 5-minute speech?
At an average speaking pace of 130 WPM, a 5-minute speech is about 650 words. At 100 WPM, plan for around 500 words; at 160 WPM, around 800 words.
How long does it take to speak 1,000 words?
At 130 WPM, 1,000 words takes approximately 7 minutes and 42 seconds. A slower 100 WPM pace takes 10 minutes, while 160 WPM takes 6 minutes and 15 seconds.
How long is a 500-word speech?
A 500-word speech takes about 3 minutes and 51 seconds at the average 130 WPM pace. It takes 5 minutes at 100 WPM and about 3 minutes and 8 seconds at 160 WPM.
How many words are in a 10-minute speech?
At 130 words per minute, a 10-minute speech is about 1,300 words. Use the speech time calculator above to set your own pace and check your script’s exact estimate.
How many words are in a 2-minute speech?
At 130 words per minute, a 2-minute speech is about 260 words. At a slower 100 WPM pace, plan for 200 words; at 160 WPM, plan for about 320 words.
How many words are in a 3-minute speech?
At 130 words per minute, a 3-minute speech is about 390 words. A slower 100 WPM delivery uses about 300 words, while a faster 160 WPM delivery uses about 480 words.
How many words are in a 15-minute speech?
At 130 words per minute, a 15-minute speech is about 1,950 words. Plan for about 1,500 words at 100 WPM or 2,400 words at 160 WPM.
How does a speech time calculator estimate speaking time?
It divides your script’s word count by your selected speaking speed in words per minute. Choose a scenario from the dropdown or set a custom pace with the slider to convert words to minutes.
Can I use this as a speaking time calculator or words to minutes calculator?
Yes. Paste or type a script to see its word count and estimated speaking time. Choose a pace to convert the word count to minutes, or set a time limit to see your target word budget.
What is the difference between speech time and silent reading time?
Speech time is estimated from your speaking pace, commonly around 130 words per minute for a presentation. Silent reading usually moves faster, so this calculator uses an average of 230 words per minute for its reading-time estimate.
What is a good speaking pace for a presentation?
For many speakers, 120–150 words per minute is clear and comfortable. Try 130 WPM as a starting point, then adjust for your audience, topic, and natural delivery.
Does this calculator save or upload my text?
No. All calculations happen in your browser. Your draft is saved only in local storage on this device so you can return to it later.