Free speech-time calculator

Words to minutes at your speaking pace

130 wpm is the starting pace for a prepared speech. Divide your word count by that rate to get minutes, or choose another pace below. Switch to silent reading when you want to time an article or book. These are planning estimates; time a rehearsal to check your own pace.

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Calculate your estimate

Enter a whole word count to estimate its duration.

Activity
Speaking benchmark

Estimated speaking time

38 min 28 sec (38:28)

Results round half up to whole seconds or words. Calculations run in your browser.

130 wpm gives you a starting point for timing a presentation script. Enter the words you intend to say, then choose a pace for your delivery. The presentation range is 120–160 wpm; the conversational setting is about 150 wpm for US English speakers.

238 wpm is the silent reading pace for adult English non-fiction; 260 wpm is the fiction pace. Use the reading toggle to plan time with an article or book. For a speech, set aside time for slides and audience reactions before sizing your script.

Time for 1,000 words by pace
BenchmarkWords per minuteTimeSource context
Slow / deliberate10010 min 00 secGriffiths (1990): slow listening pace
Prepared presentation1307 min 42 secToastmasters: 120–160 wpm presentation guidance
Conversational English1506 min 40 secNCVS: approximate US English average
Audiobook narration1556 min 27 secACX: 9,300 words per finished hour ÷ 60
Radio news1805 min 33 secRodero (2012): 160–180 wpm radio guidance

Times round to the nearest whole second, with half a second rounded up. Word counts round to the nearest whole word, with halves rounded up. Calculations use the full rate before rounding.

Questions about words to minutes

How do I convert words to minutes?

Divide your word count by your chosen words-per-minute rate to get minutes. Multiply by 60 to get seconds. For a presentation, enter your script and choose the prepared presentation preset. Use the table to compare how long the same draft takes at other paces.

What speaking rate should I choose?

130 wpm is a useful starting point for prepared speech, within the 120–160 wpm presentation range. About 150 wpm is the US English conversational average. Choose the presentation preset for a talk and the narration preset for an audiobook script.

Is reading time the same as speaking time?

238 wpm for silent non-fiction and 260 wpm for silent fiction are adult English reading averages. Reading aloud averages 183 wpm. Use the reading toggle for a text you will read silently and the speech presets for words you will say to an audience.

Sources

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