Paste your speech or script. The Speaking estimate shows how long it takes to say out loud; set Speaking WPM to your own pace for a closer figure.
How many words for a speech of a given length?
Speaking time = words ÷ speaking rate. WordPico starts at 130 words per minute, a measured pace suited to presentations, wedding speeches and recorded narration. Faster conversational delivery is often 150 WPM or more; nervous speakers tend to speed up.
| Length | Slow, 110 WPM | Measured, 130 WPM | Brisk, 150 WPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 minute | 110 | 130 | 150 |
| 3 minutes | 330 | 390 | 450 |
| 5 minutes | 550 | 650 | 750 |
| 10 minutes | 1,100 | 1,300 | 1,500 |
| 15 minutes | 1,650 | 1,950 | 2,250 |
| 20 minutes | 2,200 | 2,600 | 3,000 |
Measure your own pace
- Paste a passage of about 300 words into the editor.
- Read it aloud as you would on the day, and time yourself.
- Divide the word count by the minutes it took: 300 words in 2 minutes 15 seconds is 300 ÷ 2.25 ≈ 133 WPM.
- Enter that number in Speaking WPM. It is saved in this browser for next time.
Leave room for pauses
Word counts ignore what is not words. Laughter, applause, slide changes, demonstrations and deliberate pauses all add time. For a strict slot, such as a 5-minute toast or a timed competition, aim for about 90% of the words the table suggests. For a video script, the edit can tighten pauses, so the estimate is usually close to the final length.
Write for the ear
A script that reads well on paper can still run long when spoken. Long sentences force the speaker to rush or to breathe in odd places, and lists of numbers are hard to follow by ear. Short sentences, one idea at a time and a clear signpost before each section keep the pace steady, which also makes the time estimate more reliable. Rehearse once with a timer after editing: if you finish well inside the slot, you can slow down rather than add words.
Typical uses
- Wedding and event speeches: a 3–5 minute toast is roughly 400–650 words.
- Conference talks: a 20-minute slot at a measured pace fits about 2,600 words of script, less with demos.
- Video and podcast scripts: check that a script fits the target length before recording.
- Class presentations: split a group script evenly by word count.
The same panel also shows silent reading time; see the reading time calculator. Everything is calculated in your browser.