Speech Time Calculator: Words to Minutes
Paste your script or enter the number of words to see how long it takes to say, or enter your time slot to see how many words fit. Pace, pauses, questions and slides are included
Your Talk
If you paste text, the words are counted from it and the number above is ignored
The three paces are round numbers chosen for this tool, not an official standard. Use “My own pace” once you have timed yourself.
An estimate for reading aloud at the pace you chose. A real talk usually takes longer with demos, videos, audience reactions and nerves, so do a timed run-through.
How to use this tool
- Choose whether you want the time your text takes, or the number of words that fit your time.
- Paste your script or type the number of words, or enter the minutes you have. Set the pace, the pauses and the time kept for questions.
- Add the number of slides if you want the average per slide, then press Copy Result to keep the numbers.
Worked example
A script of 1,500 words at the normal pace (130 words per minute) takes 1,500 ÷ 130 = 11.54 minutes, shown as 11 min 32 s. With 10% extra for pauses it becomes 12 min 42 s, and with 5 minutes kept for questions the whole slot is 17 min 42 s. The other way round: in a 20-minute slot with 5 minutes for questions you have 15 minutes to speak, which is about 1,772 words at the normal pace with 10% extra for pauses.
Methodology
The tool does one division and a few multiplications, and everything runs in your browser. Words to time: speaking time = words ÷ pace × 60 seconds, where the pace is in words per minute. Pauses and breathing add a percentage of that time (none, 10% or 20%), time kept for questions is added at the end, and the result is rounded to the nearest second. Time to words: the time kept for questions is subtracted from the time available, the rest is divided by one plus the pause percentage and multiplied by the pace, and the result is rounded down to a whole word. With slides, the speaking time and the words are divided by the number of slides. For example, 1,500 words at 130 words per minute are 1,500 ÷ 130 = 11.54 minutes, shown as 11 min 32 s.
How many words fit in a talk
Words that fit in each length of talk at the three ready-made paces, with no extra time for pauses and no questions.
| Time | Slow (110) | Normal (130) | Fast (160) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 min | 550 | 650 | 800 |
| 10 min | 1,100 | 1,300 | 1,600 |
| 15 min | 1,650 | 1,950 | 2,400 |
| 20 min | 2,200 | 2,600 | 3,200 |
| 30 min | 3,300 | 3,900 | 4,800 |
| 45 min | 4,950 | 5,850 | 7,200 |
| 60 min | 6,600 | 7,800 | 9,600 |
Keeping time for questions or adding pauses lowers these numbers. For example, a 20-minute slot with 5 minutes for questions and 10% extra for pauses leaves about 1,772 words at the normal pace.
Tools for Presenting
A slide clicker, a countdown timer and a lapel microphone. They are general presentation items and have no connection with the numbers above.
Logitech R400 wireless presenter with laser pointer
Wireless presenter remote with a laser pointer, listed with a USB-A connection, for PowerPoint and presentation remote control. Check the listing for the range, the battery and the systems and software it works with.
Digital count-up and countdown timers (2-pack)
Pack of two digital timers that count up and down, listed with a loud alarm, a silent flashing-light mode, a magnetic back, a kickstand and 2 AAA batteries. Made for classrooms and kitchens, they can also sit on a table to time a rehearsal. Check the listing for what is in the box.
Hollyland Lark M2 wireless lapel microphone (USB-C)
Wireless lapel microphone listed for iPhone 15/16/17 and Android phones with a USB-C connection, with a 1000 ft range, noise cancellation and a 30-hour battery as stated by the seller. Useful to record a rehearsal or a talk on your phone; check the listing for the connector your phone needs.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
How many words is a 10-minute speech? ▼
It depends on the pace. With the three ready-made paces it is 1,100 words at 110 words per minute, 1,300 at 130 and 1,600 at 160, with no pauses and no questions. Time yourself reading a page of your own text to find your pace.
How many words per minute should I speak? ▼
There is no official number, and this tool does not claim one. The three ready-made paces are round numbers for you to try. Many speakers slow down for difficult material, large rooms or when they speak a language that is not their first, so the best pace is the one you can keep clear and comfortable in your own run-through.
How do I find my own speaking pace? ▼
Read 200 words of your own text aloud as you would in the room, time it, and divide the words by the minutes. If it takes 1 min 30 s, your pace is 200 ÷ 1.5 = 133 words per minute. Choose “My own pace” and type that number.
How are the words in my text counted? ▼
The text is split at spaces and line breaks, and each piece counts as one word. A number, a hyphenated word or an abbreviation is one word, and headings or notes you paste are counted too, so remove what you will not say.
Does the tool count pauses and breathing? ▼
Only if you ask. The pauses option adds 10% or 20% of the speaking time on top. With 1,500 words at 130 words per minute, 11 min 32 s becomes 12 min 42 s with 10% extra.
How do I include time for questions? ▼
Type the minutes in the questions field. When you start from a text, they are added to the total. When you start from the time you have, they are subtracted first, so a 20-minute slot with 5 minutes for questions leaves 15 minutes of speaking.
How many slides should I use? ▼
The tool does not recommend a number of slides. If you enter your slides, it shows the average time and words per slide, for example 50 s and about 108 words per slide for 12 slides in 10 minutes at the normal pace.
Why does my real talk run longer than the result? ▼
The tool counts reading aloud at a steady pace. Real talks add demos, videos, jokes, audience reactions, a slower start and nerves, and an improvised sentence adds words that are not in your script. A timed run-through with a countdown timer is the best check.
Is the text I paste uploaded? ▼
No. The page runs in your browser, so your text and numbers stay on your device and nothing is saved. If you reload or close the page, it returns to the default values.