Estimate Your Speech Duration
Paste your script or enter word count. Get speaking time, slides estimate, and optimal word count for your target. Essential for presentations, podcasts, and speeches.
📝 Why This Matters for Writing
Why It Matters
Knowing how long a script will take helps speakers stay on time, plan presentations, and hit strict formats like TED's 18 minutes. Pauses add 10–20% to raw word-count timing.
How It Helps
We use words ÷ WPM. Pause factors: Speech 1.15×, Lecture 1.2×, Podcast 1.1×, Audiobook 1.05×. Slides estimated at ~100 words each (80 for lectures).
Key Insights
- ●130 wpm average
- ●TED 18 min
- ●Pauses add 15–20%
- ●~100 words/slide
🎯 Quick Examples
For educational and informational purposes only. Verify with a qualified professional.
📖 Literary Insights
TED Talks capped at 18 minutes
Audiobooks: 150–160 wpm
Average pace: 130 wpm for speech; 120 for lectures. Pauses add ~15–20% to total time. TED Talks: 18 minutes (~2,300 words). Audiobooks: 150–160 wpm.
Sources: Toastmasters, TED Talks
Key Takeaways
- • Average pace: 130 wpm for speech; 120 for lectures
- • Pauses add ~15–20% to total time
- • TED Talks: 18 minutes (~2,300 words)
- • Audiobooks: 150–160 wpm
Did You Know?
How Does Speaking Time Work?
Formula
Time = Words ÷ WPM. Pause factors: Speech 1.15×, Lecture 1.2×, Podcast 1.1×, Audiobook 1.05×.
Inputs
Text or word count, pace preset, presentation type, optional target minutes
Outputs
Speaking time, slides estimate, optimal word count for target
Expert Tips
Format Comparison
| Format | WPM | Pause |
|---|---|---|
| Speech | 130 | 1.15× |
| Lecture | 120 | 1.2× |
| Podcast | 150 | 1.1× |
| Audiobook | 155 | 1.05× |
Frequently Asked Questions
Average speaking pace?
130 wpm general. Lectures 120, podcasts 150, audiobooks 155–160.
Words for 5-min speech?
~650 at average pace with pauses.
TED Talk length?
18 min, ~2,300 words.
Include pauses?
Yes. Adds 10–20% for real-world timing.
Slides for 20-min?
~10–15 at ~100 words each.
Wedding toast length?
2–3 min (~300 words) ideal.
Key Statistics
Official Data Sources
⚠️ Disclaimer: Estimates. Actual duration varies with delivery and audience.
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