Words to minutes: quick reference
| Words | Slow (110 wpm) | Average (130 wpm) | Fast (160 wpm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 55 sec | 46 sec | 38 sec |
| 250 | 2 min 16 sec | 1 min 55 sec | 1 min 34 sec |
| 500 | 4 min 33 sec | 3 min 51 sec | 3 min 8 sec |
| 750 | 6 min 49 sec | 5 min 46 sec | 4 min 41 sec |
| 1,000 | 9 min 5 sec | 7 min 42 sec | 6 min 15 sec |
| 1,500 | 13 min 38 sec | 11 min 32 sec | 9 min 23 sec |
| 2,000 | 18 min 11 sec | 15 min 23 sec | 12 min 30 sec |
| 2,500 | 22 min 44 sec | 19 min 14 sec | 15 min 38 sec |
| 3,000 | 27 min 16 sec | 23 min 5 sec | 18 min 45 sec |
| 5,000 | 45 min 27 sec | 38 min 28 sec | 31 min 15 sec |
Minutes to words: quick reference
| Speech length | Slow (110 wpm) | Average (130 wpm) | Fast (160 wpm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 minute | 110 words | 130 words | 160 words |
| 2 minutes | 220 words | 260 words | 320 words |
| 3 minutes | 330 words | 390 words | 480 words |
| 5 minutes | 550 words | 650 words | 800 words |
| 7 minutes | 770 words | 910 words | 1,120 words |
| 10 minutes | 1,100 words | 1,300 words | 1,600 words |
| 15 minutes | 1,650 words | 1,950 words | 2,400 words |
| 20 minutes | 2,200 words | 2,600 words | 3,200 words |
| 30 minutes | 3,300 words | 3,900 words | 4,800 words |
| 1 hour | 6,600 words | 7,800 words | 9,600 words |
How to use your result
- Write to about 90% of the slot. Talks almost always run longer than the script suggests once you add pauses, slides and the odd tangent.
- Read it aloud once with a timer. Your real pace beats any average. Our speaking speed test gives you your own words-per-minute figure to type into the custom box.
- Cut, don't rush. If you're over time, remove a section rather than speeding up. Listeners notice the rush; they never miss the cut.
Writing a speech faster
Many speakers find it easier to talk a first draft out loud than to type it, because the rhythm of speech is already in the words. If you write on a Mac, our guide to dictation software for writers covers tools and a workflow for drafting by voice.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a 1,000-word speech?
About 7 min 42 sec at an average 130 words per minute. At a slow 110 it's about 9 min 5 sec, and at a fast 160 about 6 min 15 sec.
How many words are in a 5-minute speech?
Around 650 words at 130 words per minute, or 550 to 800 depending on your pace.
How many words is a 10-minute speech?
Roughly 1,300 words at an average pace, between 1,100 and 1,600 for most speakers.
How many words per minute should I plan for?
130 is a sensible default for a talk with pauses. Use 110 for a nervous audience, complex material or a translated session, and 150 to 160 if you naturally speak quickly. The most accurate figure is your own: measure it with our speaking speed test.
Does the calculator include pauses?
The pace figures already assume normal pauses between sentences. Add time on top for slides, demos, applause, questions or anything you plan to read slowly, like quotes.