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Speech Time Calculator
Find how long a speech will take to deliver from its word count, or how many words you need to fill a time slot. Choose a slow, average or fast speaking pace — or enter the pace you measured yourself.
- In minutes
- 10 min
- Words needed for your time slot
- 650 words
Saved setups
Save a set of inputs you reuse — your usual rate, your loan, your room sizes — and load it back in one tap.
Your recent calculations
Results you calculate here are kept on this device so you can come back to them.
Formula
How to use it
- Enter the word count of your script.
- Choose a speaking pace.
- Enter your time slot to see how many words fill it.
- Rehearse aloud with a timer — it is the only real check.
Worked examples
1,300 words at an average 130 words per minute
- Speaking time
- 10 min
- In minutes
- 10 min
- Words needed for your time slot
- 650 words
2,000 words at a fast 160 wpm, with a 20-minute slot to fill
- Speaking time
- 12 min 30 s
- In minutes
- 12.5 min
- Words needed for your time slot
- 3,200 words
750 words at a slow 100 wpm
- Speaking time
- 7 min 30 s
- In minutes
- 7.5 min
The paces used
Most people present at somewhere between 120 and 150 words per minute, and 130 is a sensible planning figure. Use 100 for a slow, deliberate delivery with pauses — eulogies, ceremonies, speaking through an interpreter — and 160 for brisk, conversational talk. Nerves tend to speed people up.
Leave room
Pauses, laughter, applause, slides and demonstrations all take time that the word count does not show. Aim for a script that fills about 90% of your slot. For a strict 5-minute limit at 130 wpm, that is around 585 words rather than 650.
Questions people ask
How many words is a 5-minute speech?
About 650 words at an average 130 words per minute; 500 if you speak slowly, 800 if you speak fast.
How long does it take to say 1,000 words?
About 7 minutes 42 seconds at 130 words per minute.
How many words is a 10-minute presentation?
About 1,300 words at 130 words per minute.