Speaking Time Calculator (Words to Minutes)
Work out how long a speech, presentation or video script takes to say aloud at a slow, average or fast pace, with pauses, or how many words fit in a time limit.
Real delivery varies: nerves speed most people up, while stories, questions and slides slow them down. Rehearse with a timer and adjust the pace to match.
| Minutes | Slow (100 wpm) | Average (130 wpm) | Fast (160 wpm) | Your pace (130 wpm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 100 | 130 | 160 | 130 |
| 2 | 200 | 260 | 320 | 260 |
| 3 | 300 | 390 | 480 | 390 |
| 4 | 400 | 520 | 640 | 520 |
| 5 | 500 | 650 | 800 | 650 |
| 6 | 600 | 780 | 960 | 780 |
| 7 | 700 | 910 | 1,120 | 910 |
| 8 | 800 | 1,040 | 1,280 | 1,040 |
| 9 | 900 | 1,170 | 1,440 | 1,170 |
| 10 | 1,000 | 1,300 | 1,600 | 1,300 |
| 12 | 1,200 | 1,560 | 1,920 | 1,560 |
| 15 | 1,500 | 1,950 | 2,400 | 1,950 |
| 20 | 2,000 | 2,600 | 3,200 | 2,600 |
| 25 | 2,500 | 3,250 | 4,000 | 3,250 |
| 30 | 3,000 | 3,900 | 4,800 | 3,900 |
Plan a talk, a wedding toast, a school presentation, a podcast intro or a video voice-over by turning a word count into speaking time, or a time limit into a word budget. Pick a slow, average or fast pace, or your own measured pace, and add time for planned pauses such as slide changes or applause.
How to use this tool
- Enter your word count, or paste the script to count it.
- Choose a pace: slow for a formal speech, average for most presentations, fast for an energetic video.
- Add the number and length of planned pauses.
- For a time limit, switch to “Words for a time limit” and enter the minutes.
Formula
Speaking time = words ÷ pace (words per minute) + pauses × pause length · Words = (time − pauses) × pace
The presets of 100, 130 and 160 words per minute are common planning figures for deliberate, normal and brisk delivery. Measure your own pace by reading a 260-word passage aloud at your natural speed: if it takes 2 minutes, your pace is 130. Times are rounded to the nearest second.
Example
The default 650 words at an average 130 words per minute take 5:00. Adding ten 3-second pauses for slide changes makes it 5:30. For a strict 5-minute slot with those pauses, aim for 585 words.
Frequently asked questions
How many words is a 5-minute speech?
About 650 words at an average 130 words per minute, 500 at a slow 100 and 800 at a fast 160.
How many words per minute do people speak?
Conversational English is often around 150 words per minute. Prepared speeches and presentations are usually slower, about 100–150, so the audience can follow, while audiobooks and fast vloggers can go above 160.
How do I find my own speaking pace?
Time yourself reading a passage of known length out loud at a comfortable speed, divide the words by the minutes, and enter the result as a custom pace.
Last updated:
Page address with these inputs: https://kakao.mobile/tools/speaking-time-calculator/
Cite or embed this tool
kakaoCalc. (2026, November 8). Speaking Time Calculator (Words to Minutes). https://kakao.mobile/tools/speaking-time-calculator/
“Speaking Time Calculator (Words to Minutes).” kakaoCalc, 8 Nov. 2026, kakao.mobile/tools/speaking-time-calculator/.
Paste this code into your page. The widget runs in your visitors' browsers, shows no ads and keeps a link back to this page. Embedding terms