Paste a script or type a word count and this speech time calculator shows how long it takes to say out loud, at a slow, average or fast pace. At an average 140 words a minute, a 5 minute speech is about 700 words, a 3 minute speech about 420 words and a 2 minute speech about 280 words.
Yes. The Speech Time Calculator is free, works in your browser and needs no sign-up.
Paste your script or type a word count, pick a pace, and see how long it takes to say out loud.
An existing English documentary example showing narration, deep-sea illustrations, and captions together. Use it to compare pacing and visual structure before planning your own video.
Paste the full speech and the words are counted for you, or type the count from your word processor if you only have the number.
Most people speak at about 140 words a minute in a speech. Choose slow (120) if you pause for effect or speak to a large room, fast (160) if you talk quickly when nervous.
The calculator gives a time for your pace and the range from slow to fast. Time one full run-through out loud: that number is the one to trust on the day.
A 5 minute speech is about 700 words at an average pace of 140 words a minute. Spoken slowly at 120 words a minute it is about 600 words, and at a fast 160 words a minute about 800. For a best man speech, a toast or a class presentation with a 5 minute limit, aim for 650 to 700 words so pauses and laughter don't push you over.
A 3 minute speech is about 420 words at 140 words a minute, between 360 words spoken slowly and 480 spoken fast. A 2 minute speech is about 280 words, a 4 minute speech about 560 words and a 10 minute speech about 1,400 words. The table in the calculator lists 1 to 10 minutes at each pace.
Conversation usually runs at 120 to 160 words a minute, and prepared speeches tend to sit near the middle, around 140. Audiobooks and podcasts often run 150 to 160. Nerves speed most people up, so if your timed rehearsal comes in fast, add pauses before each new point rather than cutting content.
Speaking rate changes with the language. German and Polish use longer words, so the calculator counts about 120 words a minute for them, while Spanish, Portuguese and Italian run near 150. Japanese and Korean are measured in characters: about 300 characters a minute at an average pace.
If the script is for a video rather than a stage, paste it and use the button under the results. Your script opens in the FacelessGenie creator as written, an AI voice reads it, and pictures, music and captions are added around it. A script under two minutes becomes a vertical Short, a longer one a 16:9 YouTube video.
About 700 words at an average 140 words a minute. Slow speakers fit about 600 words into 5 minutes and fast speakers about 800.
About 280 words at an average pace, between 240 words spoken slowly and 320 spoken fast. That is roughly one page of double-spaced text.
Around 140 words a minute for a speech or presentation. Everyday conversation ranges from about 120 to 160, and nervous speakers often go faster than they think.
Divide the word count by your speaking rate. 1,000 words at 140 words a minute is about 7 minutes and 9 seconds. The calculator does this for each pace and also works backward from minutes to words.
It gives a reliable estimate from typical speaking rates, but pauses, audience reactions and slides change the real time. Rehearse once out loud with a timer and adjust your pace setting to match.