Words to Minutes
How long does it take to say — or read — a given number of words? This words to time calculator works both ways: enter a word count (or paste your text) to get minutes as a speech time calculator or speaking time calculator, or start from minutes to get a word target. Results are estimates based on the words-per-minute pace you choose — average speech is about 130 wpm, silent reading about 238 wpm.
Private — counted in your browser for this session only; your text is never sent, saved, or added to the address bar.
Assumes steady delivery at the selected pace; silent reading estimated at 238 words per minute.
Quick reference
| 250 words | ≈ 2 min speech | ≈ 1 min read |
| 500 words | ≈ 4 min speech | ≈ 2 min read |
| 650 words | ≈ 5 min speech | ≈ 3 min read |
| 1,000 words | ≈ 8 min speech | ≈ 4 min read |
| 1,500 words | ≈ 12 min speech | ≈ 6 min read |
| 2,000 words | ≈ 15 min speech | ≈ 8 min read |
| 3,000 words | ≈ 23 min speech | ≈ 13 min read |
| 5,000 words | ≈ 38 min speech | ≈ 21 min read |
Have the text itself? Paste it into the word counter and get the numbers automatically.
Pace reference
Slow, deliberate speech (formal speeches, eulogies) runs around 100–120 words per minute. Conversational speaking — presentations, lessons — sits near 125–150. Fast conversational speech (podcasts, casual talks) reaches 150–170. Silent reading is much faster, roughly 200–260. These are typical ranges, not laws — real pace varies by speaker, language and nerves.
Choose the pace by the job
Wedding toast or formal speech: slow — you'll pause more than you think. Business presentation or lecture: average. Podcast or video script: fast. Checking how long an article takes to READ, not speak: silent reading. When in doubt, rehearse one paragraph with a timer and compare.
Build in a buffer
Live delivery always runs longer than the raw estimate: pauses, laughter, slides, losing your place. For anything with a hard time limit, aim your draft at 90% of the slot — a 10-minute slot wants a ~9-minute script. The range shown under the result reflects normal pace variation; plan against its slower end.
Worked examples
A 600-word toast at slow pace ≈ 5½ minutes. A 1,300-word presentation at average pace ≈ 10 minutes. A 2,400-word podcast script at fast pace ≈ 15 minutes. Going the other way: a 20-minute talk at average pace wants roughly 2,600 words.
How this is calculated — and its limits
Minutes = words ÷ your chosen pace; the range shows the same text at ±10% pace. That's the whole method — transparent, but approximate: it can't know your pauses, slides or Q&A. It also assumes running prose; scripts with stage directions or speaker tags count extra words unless you turn on the cleanup options in Paste mode.
Count or paste — same calculator
If you already know your word count, type it in. If you have the text, choose Paste text and it is counted right here in your browser as a reading time calculator would — nothing is uploaded. Either way the estimate uses the exact pace you select, with a compact comparison at average speech (130 wpm) and silent reading (238 wpm). The numbers are estimates: real delivery varies with pauses, emphasis and audience.
How many words per minute is normal speech?
Conversational presentations average around 130 words per minute. Slow, deliberate delivery runs 100–110; fast talkers reach 160. The calculator lets you pick a pace.
How many words is a 5-minute speech?
At an average pace, about 650 words. At a slow pace, 500–550; at a fast pace, up to 800.
How long is a TED-style talk in words?
An 18-minute talk at a deliberate 120–130 words per minute runs about 2,200–2,300 words. Rehearse aloud: nerves speed most speakers up by 10–20%.
How many words is a 10-minute speech?
About 1,300 words at an average speaking pace of 130 words per minute — roughly 1,100 if you speak slowly, 1,600 at a brisk pace. Switch to “Minutes → words” above and pick your pace to size any talk.
What is the difference between silent reading and reading aloud?
Silent reading is much faster: adults average about 238 words per minute silently, but only around 130 wpm when speaking or reading aloud at a comfortable presentation pace. That is why this calculator shows both — pick the pace that matches your situation. The 130/238 defaults are averages, not universal: your own rate depends on the material, the language, and you.