Speech length calculator
Set your time slot and speaking pace to get the exact word count your speech should be — before you write a word too many.
How long is your time slot?
Your speech should be about
700 words
≈ 4,200 characters · ≈ 2.8 double-spaced pages
Common speech lengths at 140 words per minute
Draft written? Check it against the clock, then rehearse it with the free voice-following teleprompter
A speech length calculator works backwards from your time slot: tell it how long you're allowed to speak and how fast you talk, and it gives you a word-count target to write to. It's the easiest way to avoid the classic mistake of writing a 12-minute speech for a 5-minute slot. Set your duration and pace below — the target updates live, along with quick references for common speech lengths.
How many words per minute in a speech?
Speeches run slower than everyday conversation. A formal keynote with pauses for emphasis lands around 100–130 words per minute, while a relaxed, conversational talk sits at 130–150 WPM. If you're not sure where you fall, 130 WPM is a safe planning number for live speaking — it leaves room to breathe without dragging.
Word counts for common speech lengths
At a typical live-speaking pace of about 130 words per minute:
- 2-minute toast or introduction: about 260 words
- 5-minute speech: about 650 words
- 10-minute presentation: about 1,300 words
- 15-minute talk: about 1,950 words
- 20-minute conference slot: about 2,600 words
- 30-minute keynote: about 3,900 words
Plan for pauses, laughter, and applause
Word count only measures continuous speech. In front of a live audience, you'll lose time to applause, laughter, questions, and the pauses that make a speech land — often 10–20% of your slot. If your time limit is strict, write to 85–90% of the calculator's target so you finish comfortably rather than getting cut off at your best line.
Writing to fit the time slot
A few habits make hitting your target much easier:
- Write for the ear: short sentences, everyday words, one idea per sentence.
- Read every draft aloud — the clock and your mouth catch what silent editing misses.
- Cut the weakest 10% before you rehearse; every speech has it.
- Rehearse at your real pace with a teleprompter so the timing you measure is the timing you deliver.
Frequently asked questions
How many words is a 5-minute speech?
About 650 words at a typical live-speaking pace of 130 words per minute. A slower, formal delivery needs closer to 550 words; a fast conversational pace can carry 750.
How many words is a 10-minute presentation?
Roughly 1,300 words at 130 WPM. If your presentation includes slides, demos, or audience interaction, write less — those minutes come out of your word budget.
How many pages is a 20-minute speech?
About 2,600 words, which is roughly 10 double-spaced pages (or 5 single-spaced) in a standard 12-point font.
Is it better to run short or long?
Short, almost always. Audiences never complain about a speech ending a minute early, and organizers will thank you. Running long steals time from whoever follows you and forces you to rush your ending — the part people remember most.
Should I write my speech word-for-word or use bullet points?
Word-for-word is better for timing accuracy and high-stakes moments; bullets feel more spontaneous but make your length unpredictable. A good middle path: script it fully, rehearse until it sounds natural, and use a voice-following teleprompter so you can deliver the exact script without sounding like you're reading.
Keep exploring
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Paste your script and the prompter scrolls as you speak. Free to try, right in your browser, in 60+ languages.
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