Speech length calculator
Paste your speech or type a word count to see how long it takes to say out loud, at a slow, normal and fast pace. Or start from your time slot and see how many words to write.
Speaking rates are typical ranges, not rules. Most people speak at about 120 to 160 words per minute in a speech. At a funeral most people speak more slowly and pause more, so for a eulogy the calculator uses 100 to 140 words per minute. Timing yourself gives the most accurate figure.
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Start with a free previewWords to minutes at a glance
The same rates the calculator uses. Find the length you have been given and read across.
| Length | Slow (120 wpm) | Normal (140 wpm) | Fast (160 wpm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 min | 120 | 140 | 160 |
| 2 min | 240 | 280 | 320 |
| 3 min | 360 | 420 | 480 |
| 4 min | 480 | 560 | 640 |
| 5 min | 600 | 700 | 800 |
| 7 min | 840 | 980 | 1,120 |
| 10 min | 1,200 | 1,400 | 1,600 |
| 15 min | 1,800 | 2,100 | 2,400 |
| 20 min | 2,400 | 2,800 | 3,200 |
How long should my speech be?
Typical lengths for the most common speeches. They are conventions, not rules: if the hosts give you a time, that time wins.
- A toast: 1 to 2 minutes. One thought, one short story at most, then raise your glass.
- Best man or maid of honor: 3 to 5 minutes. Long enough for one good story and a sincere word about the couple, short enough that nobody checks the time. Guide: Best Man Speech: A Simple Structure, Full Example and Tips
- Father or mother of the bride: 4 to 6 minutes, a little longer than the other toasts because of the welcome and the thank-yous. Guide: Father of the Bride Speech: How to Write It, With an Example
- Eulogy: 3 to 5 minutes, spoken slowly. If several people speak, 2 to 3 minutes each is a kindness to everyone, you included. Guide: How to Write a Eulogy: A Step-by-Step Guide With Examples
- Retirement: 2 to 4 minutes for a colleague, a little longer for the manager or the person retiring. Guide: Retirement Speech for a Coworker: What to Say, With an Example
- Keynote or talk: the slot you are given. Plan to finish a minute or two early to leave room for a late start, applause or questions.
Why the real thing runs longer
Laughter, applause and pauses are not in the word count, so a speech that gets laughs runs longer than its text. Nerves work the other way: many people speed up in front of a room.
Rehearse out loud, with a timer, at the pace you want, and mark a line or two you could cut on the day. The outline builder shows how much time each part of your speech should take.
How the calculator counts words
A word is anything between spaces that contains a letter or a number. Contractions and hyphenated words such as "don't" and "mother-in-law" count once. Text in square brackets, like [pause] or [raise glass], and a plain "(pause)" count as stage directions and are left out.
Numbers count as one word but take longer to say: "1987" is "nineteen eighty-seven". If your speech has many numbers, long names or technical terms, plan with the slow pace.
Questions
How many words is a 5-minute speech?
About 700 words at a normal pace of 140 words per minute. Depending on how fast you speak, anything from 600 to 800 words fills five minutes.
How long is a 1,000-word speech?
About 7 minutes at a normal pace. Read slowly, at 120 words per minute, it takes a little over 8 minutes; quickly, at 160, just over 6.
How fast do people speak?
Most people speak at about 120 to 160 words per minute when they give a speech. These are typical ranges, not rules: the pace depends on the person, the room and the moment, and a eulogy is usually spoken more slowly than a toast.
How long should a wedding speech be?
3 to 5 minutes is typical for the best man or maid of honor. A parent's welcome may run a little longer, and a toast is often 1 to 2 minutes. Ask the couple how long they would like, and stay under it.
How long should a eulogy be?
Usually 3 to 5 minutes, spoken slowly and with pauses. If several people speak, 2 to 3 minutes each is plenty.
Is my text sent anywhere?
No. The calculator runs in your browser. Your text is not sent to us and is not stored.
More help
- Speech outline builderChoose the occasion, your role and the length, and get a printable structure with a time and prompts for every part.
- Speech guides: structures, full examples and delivery tips