Speaking Time Calculator
Paste your script or type a word count to see the speaking time. Or enter the minutes you have and see how many words to write.
Questo contenuto è in inglese.
Pauses, slides, jokes and questions from the audience add time, so leave a little room.
Esempi svolti
A 1,500 word talk
1,500 words at 130 words a minute
11 minutes 32 seconds
At the quicker conversational pace of 150 words a minute the same talk takes 10 minutes.
A five minute slot
5 minutes at 130 words a minute
650 words
At 150 words a minute the same five minutes holds 750 words.
Informazioni su Speaking Time Calculator
A speaking time calculator tells you how long a piece of writing takes to say out loud. It is the quickest way to check that a speech, a presentation script, a toast or a voiceover fits the time you have been given, without reading it aloud and watching a clock. Paste your script, or type a word count, and the speaking time appears straight away.
The calculator works both ways. If you know your slot is five minutes, you can ask how many words to write, and if you already have a draft, you can ask how long it runs. The speed of speech matters a great deal, so the page lets you choose from slow and clear at 110 words a minute up to fast at 190, or set your own pace once you have timed yourself reading a few paragraphs. A table shows the same text at five paces side by side.
Come usare Speaking Time Calculator
- Choose whether you want the speaking time for your words, or the number of words for your time.
- Pick a speaking pace, or choose "My own pace" and type your words a minute.
- Paste your script or type a word count. For the other option, enter the minutes and seconds you have.
- Read the result and the table of paces, then trim or add words until it fits.
Usi comuni
- Timing a wedding speech or a best man toast
- Fitting a talk into a conference slot
- Checking the length of a voiceover or a video script
- Planning a podcast intro or a school presentation
Domande frequenti
How many words a minute does a person speak?
Most people speak at about 130 words a minute when giving a talk and about 150 words a minute in everyday conversation. Slow, careful speech such as a eulogy or a lesson for young children can be 110 words a minute or fewer, and a fast speaker can reach 170 or more.
How many words is a five minute speech?
At a steady 130 words a minute, a five minute speech is about 650 words. At the conversational pace of 150 words a minute it is about 750 words, and at a slow 110 words a minute it is about 550 words.
Does the speaking time include pauses?
No. The result is the time to say the words with no extra gaps. Pauses for effect, laughter, slides, demonstrations and questions from the audience all add time, so aim to finish a little under your slot.
How do I find my own speaking pace?
Read about 200 words of your script aloud at the speed you would use on the day, time yourself, and divide the number of words by the minutes taken. Then choose "My own pace" and type that figure.
Is speaking time different from reading time?
Yes. Silent reading is much faster, often 200 to 250 words a minute, while speaking is slower because you have to form every word. Use the reading time calculator to see how long people take to read a text and this one to see how long you take to say it.