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Speaking Time Calculator

Calculate how long it takes to speak your script. Perfect for presentations, speeches, podcasts, and videos.

Your Text

0 words | 0 characters
Estimated Speaking Time
0 sec
0 words @ 150 wpm

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How to Use This Tool

  1. 1Paste your script or presentation text
  2. 2See speaking time calculated instantly
  3. 3Choose slow, medium, or fast speaking pace
  4. 4Use the result to time your presentation

Pro Tips

Slow pace (100 wpm)

Best for complex topics, emotional speeches, or when clarity is crucial.

Medium pace (150 wpm)

Natural conversation speed. Good for podcasts and most presentations.

Fast pace (180 wpm)

Energetic delivery. Good for motivational speeches or short-form video.

Account for pauses

Add 10-15% more time for natural pauses, breaths, and emphasis.

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Time Your Speech Before You Give It

Nothing derails a presentation like running out of time or finishing too early. This calculator shows you exactly how long your script will take to deliver at different speaking paces so you can adjust before stepping up to the microphone.

Speaking pace varies by context. A slow, deliberate pace (100 wpm) works for emotional moments, complex explanations, or when you want words to land with weight. Conversational delivery (150 wpm) fits most presentations and podcasts. Fast-paced delivery (180 wpm) creates energy but sacrifices clarity.

The calculated time is your baseline. Real speeches include pauses - for emphasis, for audience reaction, for you to breathe. Add 10-15% to your estimated time for these natural breaks. A 10-minute script becomes an 11-12 minute delivery.

Use this tool during preparation. If your keynote runs 45 minutes but you have a 30-minute slot, you need to cut before you practice. Trimming content is painful, but running over time is worse - audiences check out when sessions run long.

For video content, speaking time directly translates to production time. A 1,500 word script takes about 10 minutes to deliver. Knowing this upfront helps plan recording sessions and estimate when content will be ready.

Key Features:

  • Three pace options: slow (100 wpm), medium (150 wpm), fast (180 wpm)
  • Instant calculation as you type or paste
  • Perfect for presentations, speeches, and podcasts
  • Helps fit content to time slots
  • Shows exact minutes and seconds
  • Remember to add 10-15% for natural pauses

Frequently Asked Questions

We divide word count by words per minute. Slow is 100 wpm, medium is 150 wpm, and fast is 180 wpm.
Medium (150 wpm) works for most contexts. Use slow for complex topics, fast for energetic delivery.
No. Natural speeches have pauses. Add 10-15% extra time for pauses, transitions, and emphasis.
At medium pace: 750 words. At slow pace: 500 words. At fast pace: 900 words.
TED talks cap at 18 minutes, which is about 2,700 words at medium pace. Most successful TED talks run 12-15 minutes (1,800-2,250 words).
Speaking involves vocalization, breathing, and deliberate pacing for audience comprehension. Reading silently happens at 200-250 wpm; speaking averages 120-150 wpm.
Keep toasts to 2-3 minutes (300-450 words at medium pace). Speak slowly, pause for laughter, and leave them wanting more rather than checking their phones.
Solo episodes: aim for 15-20 minutes (2,250-3,000 words). Interviews naturally run longer. Always prioritize value over hitting a specific length.

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