Words to Minutes Calculator
Convert any word count into minutes of speech, reading, or audiobook narration at your chosen pace.
7.7
minutes
How long does it take to speak your words?
Speech rate varies dramatically by context. A formal keynote runs 100โ120 words per minute. Conference talks and podcasts cluster around 130โ150 WPM. TED talks average 163 WPM. Fast-paced podcasts and audiobook narration push 180โ200 WPM. The same 1,000-word script can run from 5 to 10 minutes depending on the pace you choose.
Reference table at common rates
| Words | 100 WPM | 130 WPM | 150 WPM | 200 WPM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 250 | 2.5 min | 1.9 min | 1.7 min | 1.3 min |
| 500 | 5.0 | 3.8 | 3.3 | 2.5 |
| 1,000 | 10.0 | 7.7 | 6.7 | 5.0 |
| 2,000 | 20.0 | 15.4 | 13.3 | 10.0 |
| 5,000 | 50.0 | 38.5 | 33.3 | 25.0 |
| 10,000 | 100.0 | 76.9 | 66.7 | 50.0 |
Pick the right WPM
- Wedding speech / eulogy: 100โ110 WPM. The formal pacing reads as composed; faster sounds rushed.
- Business presentation: 120โ140 WPM. Slow enough for note-taking, fast enough to hold attention.
- Conference talk: 130โ150 WPM.
- TED talk: 160โ170 WPM. The genre rewards energy.
- Podcast monologue: 130โ180 WPM, depending on host style.
- Audiobook narration: 150โ160 WPM. Listeners expect deliberate pace.
- Silent reading: 200โ300 WPM. The eye is faster than the mouth.
Plan a presentation by word count
For a 10-minute talk at 130 WPM, target a 1,300-word script. Add 10โ15% buffer for pauses, audience response, and clarifying improvisation. So a 10-minute slot wants a 1,100โ1,300-word manuscript, not a literal 1,300.
Related tools
- Reading time calculator โ uses 250 WPM by default.
- Word Counter โ count any text, see speaking + reading time live.
- Words to pages โ for written-document planning.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a 5-minute speech?
At 130 WPM (typical conference pace), a 5-minute speech is about 650 words. At 150 WPM, about 750 words. Add 10% buffer for pauses.
How long is a 1,000-word speech?
At conference pace (130 WPM), about 7.7 minutes. At TED pace (160 WPM), about 6.3 minutes. At a slow, formal pace (100 WPM), about 10 minutes.
What's the average speaking rate?
Conversational English averages 130โ150 WPM. The exact rate varies by individual, language, and context โ Spanish speakers average about 7% faster syllables-per-second than English speakers, but their words tend to be shorter.
Can I speak faster than 200 WPM?
Yes โ auctioneers and competitive debaters reach 300+ WPM. But comprehension drops sharply above 220 WPM for most listeners, so faster than that becomes a performance trade rather than communication.
Should I include filler words like "um" in my count?
When estimating duration, no โ they're already absorbed by the buffer for pauses. When practising delivery, yes โ count what you actually say.