Speaking Time Calculator
Paste your script and pick a speaking pace to estimate how long your speech or presentation will run.
Estimate speaking time
Speaking time
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Words
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How speaking time is calculated
Speaking time is the word count divided by your speaking pace. People speak more slowly than they read — a clear presentation pace is about 130 words per minute, so 1,000 words takes roughly 7–8 minutes.
Words for common talk lengths
| Talk length | Approx. words |
|---|---|
| 1 minute | ~130 words |
| 5 minutes | ~650 words |
| 10 minutes | ~1,300 words |
| TED-style (18 min) | ~2,300 words |
Approximate word counts at ~130 wpm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to say 1,000 words?
At an average speaking pace of about 130 words per minute, 1,000 words takes roughly 7 to 8 minutes.
How many words is a 5-minute speech?
Around 650 words at a clear, average pace — slow down for emphasis and pauses.