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Speaking Time Calculator
SnipSound's free speaking time calculator turns words to time instantly — paste your script, pick a words-per-minute pace, and see exactly how long it takes to say out loud. Free, no account, and your text never leaves your browser.
0:000 words · 0 characters
| Pace | 110 wpm | 130 wpm | 150 wpm | 180 wpm | Silent reading (240 wpm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time | 0:00 | 0:00 | 0:00 | 0:00 | 0:00 |
Words to time — how it works
The words to time calculation is simple: your word count divided by your speaking pace in words per minute. A 650-word script at a conversational 130 wpm takes five minutes to deliver. The table above shows your script at every common pace at once, so you can plan a speech, presentation, YouTube script, podcast segment or voiceover without rehearsing against a stopwatch.
Words per minute reference
| Speaking style | Typical wpm |
|---|---|
| Slow, deliberate speech (eulogies, dramatic reads) | 100–115 |
| Conversational speech | 120–150 |
| Presentations & speeches | 110–140 |
| Audiobook narration | 150–160 |
| YouTube & commercial voiceover | 150–180 |
| Auctioneers & disclaimers | 250+ |
Common script lengths at a glance
| Target length | Words needed (~130 wpm) |
|---|---|
| 30-second elevator pitch | ~65 words |
| 1-minute video | ~130 words |
| 5-minute speech | ~650 words |
| 10-minute presentation | ~1,300 words |
| 20-minute talk (TED length) | ~2,600 words |
Frequently asked questions
- How long does it take to say 500 words?
- About 3 minutes 50 seconds at a conversational 130 words per minute; roughly 3:20 at a brisk 150 wpm or 4:30 at a slow 110 wpm.
- How many words per minute is normal speech?
- Conversational English runs 120–150 wpm. Speeches usually land a bit slower (110–140), narration around 150–160, and fast commercial voiceover 180+.
- How many words is a 5 minute speech?
- Around 650 words at 130 wpm — plan for 600 if you pause a lot, up to 750 if you speak quickly.
- Is my script uploaded anywhere?
- No. The word count and timing run entirely in your browser — your text never leaves your device.
Turn the script into audio or video
Once the length is right, SnipSound can take it the rest of the way — all free, in your browser: