Speaking Time Calculator

What it does

Converts between a number of words and the time it takes to say them, using a speaking pace in words per minute. The average is 150 words per minute — the National Center for Voice and Speech's figure for English speakers in the US — with slow and fast presets 30 words either side, or your own measured pace.

What you'll need

• A script to paste, or just its word count.
• Or a target length — a 30-second intro, a 60-second ad read.
• Optionally, your own pace in words per minute.

Steps

1. Pick a pace, or choose 'My own pace' and enter yours.
2. Paste your script (or type its word count) to see how long it runs.
3. Or enter a time to see how many words fit in it.

Reading the result

Every result is shown at your chosen pace and at all three presets side by side, because nobody reads at exactly one speed: the slow-to-fast spread is the range your recording will probably land in. Scripts with pauses, music beds or ad breaks run longer than the words alone.

Tips

• Measure yourself: read a paragraph aloud for exactly one minute and count the words. That number beats any preset.
• Leave room for the music: if an intro sits on a 30-second bed with a sting at each end, write for the time that's left.
• For a tight slot (a 30-second pre-roll), write to the slow pace so a natural read never runs over.

How fast do people speak?

The National Center for Voice and Speech gives the average rate of speech for English speakers in the United States as about 150 words per minute. That's an average, not a rule — pace changes with the speaker, the language, the material and whether it's read or spoken off the cuff.

This calculator's slow (120) and fast (180) presets are simply 30 words per minute either side of that average, to show the range — they're not a published standard. Your own measured pace is always the better number.

Why creators use it

Intros, ad reads and trailers have hard time slots, and a script that's 20% too long is only discovered in the edit. Knowing the word budget up front means writing to the slot instead of cutting to it.

Common mistakes

• Timing the script by reading it silently. silent reading is much faster than speaking; time it aloud or use a word count.
• Forgetting pauses. a sound effect, a music sting or a breath between sections adds time the word count doesn't show.
• Using someone else's pace. co-hosts and guests can differ by a lot; measure the person who'll actually read it.

Examples

FAQ

How many words is a 1-minute speech?

About 150 at an average pace — the National Center for Voice and Speech's figure for English speakers in the US. At a slow 120 wpm it's 120 words, at a fast 180 it's 180.

How long does it take to read 1,000 words aloud?

About 6 min 40 s at 150 words per minute; 8 min 20 s slow, about 5 min 30 s fast.

How are words counted in a pasted script?

Every run of letters or numbers counts as one word, with apostrophes and hyphens inside a word kept together — so “isn't” and “well-known” are one word each.

Is my script uploaded?

No. The words are counted in your browser and nothing is sent or stored.