Speech Time Calculator
Paste the script of a speech or presentation to see how long it takes to read aloud, in minutes and seconds.
Script
0 characters · 0 lines
Reading time
Enter a script and the time it takes to read aloud appears here
Most speeches in English run at about 130–150 words per minute.
Everything runs on this device. What you enter is never sent anywhere.
Times are estimates. Each word counts once and a number counts as one word; Japanese, Chinese and Korean are counted character by character. Punctuation, brackets and spaces aren't counted. Read your script aloud at least once before the real thing.
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How to use
1. Enter your script
Tap “Paste” on the “Script” box at the top to put in the script of your speech or presentation. The time it takes to read aloud appears right away under “Reading time” below, in minutes and seconds.
Click “Paste” above the “Script” box on the left to put in the script of your speech or presentation. You can also type it, or click “Try a sample” to fill in a sample script. The time it takes to read aloud appears right away under “Reading time” on the right, in minutes and seconds.
2. Match your speaking speed
Drag the “Speaking speed (words per minute)” slider under the time to match how fast you speak. The further right you move it, the faster you speak and the shorter the time. If you pause between paragraphs, turn on “Add a short pause between paragraphs (2 sec)” below it.
Move the “Speaking speed (words per minute)” slider under the time to match how fast you speak. The further right you move it, the faster you speak and the shorter the time. If you pause between paragraphs, turn on “Add a short pause between paragraphs (2 sec)” below it.
3. Compare with your target time
Tap “Target time” and choose how long your speech should be, such as “1 min”. You'll see how much time you have left or how far over you are, and about how many words you can add or should cut. Below that, “Time by paragraph” shows when each paragraph starts and ends.
Under “Target time”, choose how long your speech should be, such as “1 min”. You'll see how much time you have left or how far over you are, and about how many words you can add or should cut. Below that, “Time by paragraph” shows when each paragraph starts and ends.
Great for
Keeping a wedding toast or farewell speech on time
Asked to “keep it to about three minutes”? Paste your draft to see right away whether it runs long, and how many words to cut.
Wedding guests, event hosts and managers
Planning the timing of a presentation
See the minute and second each paragraph starts, so you know roughly when to move on to the next slide.
Office workers, students and researchers
Writing a one-minute self-introduction or elevator pitch
When an interview or meeting asks for “a minute about yourself”, check how many words fit while you write.
Job seekers and career changers
Fitting a voice-over to a video or podcast slot
Enter your script and check that it fits the seconds you have. Change the speed to see how long it runs when read slowly.
Video creators and streamers
Good to know
- The time is an estimate. It doesn't include stumbles, or waiting for laughter and applause.
- Every word counts the same, whether it's “a” or “responsibility”, and a number like “2,500” counts as one word however you say it.
- It doesn't read your script aloud.
About speaking rates
Most people give speeches in English at around 130–160 words per minute. Nerves tend to make you speed up, so planning for about 130–150 words per minute and speaking a little slower than feels natural makes it easier for your audience to follow. This tool counts the words in your script and divides them by the speed you choose.
Japanese, Chinese and Korean don't put spaces between words, so they're counted character by character instead, at about 300 characters per minute to start with. If your script mixes them with English, the times for the words and the characters are added together. You can also add a short pause of 2 seconds at each paragraph break.
FAQ
Answers to common questions before you start.
Is my script sent anywhere?
No. Everything is counted in your device's browser, and your script is never sent to a server or saved. You can safely use it for unreleased presentations or speeches with people's names in them.
How many words per minute should I speak?
For a speech or presentation in English, 130–150 words per minute is a comfortable pace. If you're not used to speaking in public, or it's a formal occasion, slowing down to about 120 makes it easier for your audience to follow.
How many words is a 3-minute speech?
At 130–150 words per minute, about 400–450 words. Choose “3 min” under “Target time” to see how many words you can add to your script, or how many you should cut.
How are words counted?
Anything separated by spaces counts as a word, and words joined by an apostrophe or hyphen, like “don't” or “well-known”, count as one. A number counts as one word. Punctuation, brackets, symbols, spaces and line breaks aren't counted.
Does it work for Japanese, Chinese or Korean?
Yes. These languages are counted character by character, and the count is divided by the “Speaking speed for Japanese, Chinese and Korean (characters per minute)” slider, which starts at 300. In a script that mixes them with English, the two times are added together.
What does “Add a short pause between paragraphs (2 sec)” do?
It adds 2 seconds at each break between paragraphs separated by line breaks, like the short pause you take before moving on to a new point. Empty lines don't count as paragraphs, so blank lines between paragraphs don't change the time.
What is “Time by paragraph” for?
It shows roughly when each paragraph starts and ends, counted from the start of your talk. Use it to plan when to change slides, or where to place a voice-over in a video.
How do I find my own speaking speed?
Read your script aloud for one minute, then count how many words you got through. Set the “Speaking speed (words per minute)” slider to that number, and the time is calculated at your own pace.
Are my settings saved?
Your speaking speed, the pause setting and the target time are saved in this browser, so they're the same next time. Your script isn't saved, so it's gone once you close the page.
Is it free?
Yes, it's free. No sign-up and no ads.
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