Speech time calculator.
Find out how long your script takes to say. Set your speaking pace, leave room for pauses, and make your words fit the time you have.
Find your speaking pace.
Read this 101-word passage aloud as you would on camera. Start the timer just before you begin, then finish after the last word. No microphone or recording needed.
Before you press record, take a moment to decide what you want your audience to remember. A clear video begins with one useful idea. Write it in words you would actually say to a friend. Read the script aloud, and listen for any sentence that feels awkward. Shorten it, then try again. Leave yourself room to breathe between thoughts. You do not need to rush through every line or fill every silence. Look toward the lens, let your voice settle, and speak at a comfortable pace. The goal is to help someone understand your idea, one natural sentence at a time.
Read at your own pace. Natural breaths and pauses are part of the test.
How words become minutes.
Speaking time is your word count divided by your words per minute, plus any extra pauses. A 300-word script at 150 words per minute takes about 2 minutes. Add a 10-second demonstration and the estimate becomes 2:10.
A word budget reverses that calculation: subtract extra pauses from your time limit, multiply the remaining minutes by your speaking pace, then round down.
These are planning estimates for text with spaces between words. Your actual delivery, names, numbers and emphasis can change the result. Rehearse the finished script aloud before recording.
| Words | Speaking time |
|---|---|
| 75 | 30 seconds |
| 150 | 1 minute |
| 300 | 2 minutes |
| 450 | 3 minutes |
| 750 | 5 minutes |
Before your next take.
How many words fit in a one-minute video?
At 150 words per minute, a one-minute script has room for about 150 words before extra pauses. If you reserve 10 seconds for a visual or a pause, that leaves 125 words at the same pace. Use your measured pace for a more personal estimate.
What speaking speed should I choose?
The 120, 150 and 180 words-per-minute buttons are starting points for comparison. The right pace depends on your delivery and material. Try the speaking-speed test above, then rehearse your actual script. A technical explanation may need more time than the sample passage.
Does the calculator save or upload my script?
No. Calculations happen in this browser tab. The tool does not upload your text or save it to browser storage. Copy any changes you want to keep before you close or reload the page. The site uses general website analytics; your script text is not sent with it.
Can I rehearse with a teleprompter next?
Yes. Open the free online teleprompter and paste your script there to rehearse with scrolling text. For reading while recording on iPhone, Teleprompter Pal is currently in private beta. You can join the early-access list.