How many words is a 1-minute speech?
A 1-minute speech is about 120 to 160 words. At an average pace of 140 words per minute, aim for around 140 words. Allow room for pauses.
A little preparation. More confidence.
Speech Time Calculator
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Estimated delivery time
Slow120 words per minute
00:00min:sec
Average140 words per minute
00:00min:sec
Fast160 words per minute
00:00min:sec
Paste your speech to see your estimates. These are estimates, not a deadline. Pauses, emphasis and audience reactions add time.
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How many words is a 5 minute speech?
A 5-minute speech is about 650 to 750 words at a natural pace of 130 to 150 words per minute. Slower, more deliberate speakers need about 600 words; fast speakers can deliver around 800.
How long is a speech by word count?
Use this as a starting point, then rehearse aloud. A thoughtful pause can do more for your message than another sentence.
| Words | Slow at 120 words per minute | Average at 140 words per minute | Fast at 160 words per minute |
|---|---|---|---|
| 250 | 02:05 | 01:47 | 01:34 |
| 500 | 04:10 | 03:34 | 03:08 |
| 750 | 06:15 | 05:21 | 04:41 |
| 1,000 | 08:20 | 07:09 | 06:15 |
| 1,500 | 12:30 | 10:43 | 09:23 |
| 2,000 | 16:40 | 14:17 | 12:30 |
Times are shown as minutes:seconds. Slow: 120 wpm · Average: 140 wpm · Fast: 160 wpm.
A few common timing questions
How many words is a 3-minute speech?
A 3-minute speech is about 360 to 480 words. At an average pace of 140 words per minute, aim for around 420 words. Rehearse aloud to check your timing.
How many words is a 10-minute speech?
A 10-minute speech is about 1,200 to 1,600 words. At an average pace of 140 words per minute, aim for around 1,400 words. Use fewer words if you need time for slides, demonstrations, or audience interaction.
How many words is a 20-minute speech?
A 20-minute speech is about 2,400 to 3,200 words. At an average pace of 140 words per minute, aim for around 2,800 words. Leave time for pauses and questions rather than filling every second with words.
Make room for your own voice.
Your best pace is one your audience can follow and you can deliver comfortably. Try reading a section aloud, notice where you naturally pause, and adjust your script rather than rushing to fit.