About the Speech Length Calculator
Speakers need to know how long their words will take. This calculator turns a word count into speaking time at your pace, and turns a time slot into the number of words that fit. It also shows how many double-spaced and single-spaced pages that text fills. Type the word count, or the minutes, and your pace and the speech length appears at once, with a few related figures underneath, and you can copy the result with one tap. The sums run in your browser, so nothing you enter is uploaded.
Updated October 2026
How to use the Speech Length Calculator
- 1Enter the word count, or the minutes, and your pace.
- 2Pick the units or options from the menus if the speech length tool offers them.
- 3Read the speech length in the large result box.
- 4Look at the extra rows for related figures.
- 5Press Copy result to keep the answer.
When you need the speech length
Students, best men, public speakers and teachers use it to plan talks and toasts.
Slow your pace to 100 words per minute for formal speeches, and expect 150 or more for casual talking. Pauses, slides and laughter all add time.
How the speech length is worked out
Time = words ÷ words per minute. Words = minutes × words per minute. A pace of 130 words per minute is normal. 1,500 words at 130 words per minute take 11 minutes 32 seconds. A 10-minute slot fits 1,300 words, about 5 double-spaced pages.
Every answer on this page comes from that one rule, so you can check any result by hand with a calculator. The figures shown underneath, such as other units, are conversions of the same answer.
- Both directions
- Pages included
- Adjustable pace
Mistakes to avoid with speech length
Practise aloud at least once, since people read faster than they speak. Aim to finish a minute early to leave a margin.
On phone and computer
On a phone, type into the boxes one after another and read the speech length underneath; Copy result puts it on the clipboard for a message or a note. On a computer the inputs sit on the left and the answer on the right, so you can change one figure and watch the speech length move. The speech length calculator works the same on both.
Checking your speech length by hand
A good habit is to test the speech length calculator with a case you already know. 1,500 words at 130 words per minute take 11 minutes 32 seconds. A 10-minute slot fits 1,300 words, about 5 double-spaced pages.
If your own figures give a surprising answer, repeat the working yourself: Time = words ÷ words per minute. Words = minutes × words per minute. A pace of 130 words per minute is normal. Small differences usually come from rounding, from mixing units, or from a typing slip in one of the inputs. Speaking time is only part of a talk. Check the length of a written piece with the Reading Time Calculator, count the words with the Word Counter, and polish the text with the Grammar Checker.
Features
- Practise aloud
- Allow time for pauses
- Finish early
- Clear messages when the speech length inputs make no sense
- Copy the result with one tap
- Private: nothing is uploaded
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate speech length?
Time = words ÷ words per minute. Words = minutes × words per minute. A pace of 130 words per minute is normal. 1,500 words at 130 words per minute take 11 minutes 32 seconds. A 10-minute slot fits 1,300 words, about 5 double-spaced pages.
What is the formula for speech length?
Time = words ÷ words per minute. Words = minutes × words per minute. A pace of 130 words per minute is normal. The speech length calculator applies it exactly and rounds only the displayed answer to six significant figures.
What is a normal speaking pace?
About 130 words per minute.
How many words is a 5 minute speech?
About 650 words at a normal pace.
Do pauses count?
Not here, so allow extra time.
Is this speech length calculator free and private?
Yes. It is free, needs no account and runs in your browser, so the numbers you type are not uploaded or stored.