Free tool
Script timer: how long will your script take to say?
Paste your script below to see how long it takes to say out loud. At a natural pace of about 150 words a minute, 150 words take 1 minute and 750 words take about 5 minutes.
The short answer
- Most people speak at 130 to 160 words a minute when they read a script naturally.
- Speaking time = words ÷ words per minute. 300 words at 150 wpm = 2 minutes.
- For a 60-second video, write about 140 to 150 words; for 30 seconds, about 75.
- Not sure of your pace? Measure it with the words per minute calculator.
Fits in
- 15 s38 words
- 30 s75 words
- 1 min150 words
- 1.5 min225 words
- 3 min450 words
Runs in your browser. Your script is never stored or sent anywhere.
How many words fit in your time?
Word counts at a natural pace of 150 words a minute, and a slower 125 words a minute.
| Speaking time | At 150 wpm | At 125 wpm |
|---|---|---|
| 15 seconds | 38 words | 31 words |
| 30 seconds | 75 words | 63 words |
| 1 minute | 150 words | 125 words |
| 2 minutes | 300 words | 250 words |
| 3 minutes | 450 words | 375 words |
| 5 minutes | 750 words | 625 words |
| 10 minutes | 1,500 words | 1,250 words |
| 20 minutes | 3,000 words | 2,500 words |
Tips for timing a script
- Read it out loud once. Silent reading is much faster than speaking, so it hides how long a script really is.
- Count pauses. A breath between ideas, a smile, a beat before the call to action: they add up.
- Cut, don't rush. If a script runs long, remove a sentence instead of speaking faster.
- On camera, a teleprompter set to your pace keeps the timing honest. In Scrollglass, Finish in sets the scrolling speed so the script ends exactly on time.
Frequently asked questions
How many words is a 1-minute speech?
About 130 to 150 words. At a natural speaking pace of 150 words a minute, 1 minute holds 150 words; leave room for pauses and aim a little lower if you speak slowly.
How many words is a 5-minute speech?
About 650 to 750 words at a natural pace of 130 to 150 words a minute. Paste your draft into the script timer above to see your exact time.
How long does it take to read 1,000 words out loud?
About 7 minutes at 150 words a minute (6 minutes 40 seconds exactly), or about 8 minutes at a slower 125 words a minute.
How do I make my script fit a 60-second video?
Keep it to about 140 to 150 words. Cut the warm-up, lead with the point, and use short sentences. The Fits in list above shows how many words you have for 15, 30, 60 and 90 seconds.
Is my script saved or sent anywhere?
No. The timer runs entirely in your browser. Your text is never stored, uploaded or shared.