Script timer: how long will your speech take?
Paste your script and the timer turns its word count into speaking time. Pick a pace, or type a time limit to get the speed that fits. Your script stays in this browser.
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Paste a script and the reading time shows up here.
The timer works in this browser. Your script isn’t uploaded.
How the time is worked out
The timer counts words, meaning anything between two spaces, and divides them by the pace you pick. A number or a short word like “a” counts as one word, the same as a long one.
The paces come from the speed scale in AnyCue’s online prompter. Slow is speed 2, about 118 words per minute. Average is speed 3, about 150, and it’s where the prompter starts. Fast is speed 4, about 182. Read it in the prompter opens your script there at the speed you set here, so the time left on the reading screen starts from the same number.
Pauses, slides and questions from the audience take time without adding words. If your talk has them, leave some room under the limit.
Words per minute at each speed
| Speed | Words per minute | 500 words take |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 86 | 5:50 |
| 2 | 118 | 4:15 |
| 3 | 150 | 3:20 |
| 4 | 182 | 2:45 |
| 5 | 214 | 2:20 |
| 6 | 246 | 2:02 |
| 7 | 279 | 1:48 |
| 8 | 311 | 1:37 |
| 9 | 343 | 1:28 |
| 10 | 375 | 1:20 |
How many words fit in a speech
- Words in 1 minute, about 118 to 182 words
- Words in 2 minutes, about 240 to 360 words
- Words in 3 minutes, about 350 to 550 words
- Words in 5 minutes, about 590 to 910 words
- Words in 10 minutes, about 1,180 to 1,820 words
Questions
Is my script uploaded?
No. The timer runs in this browser and doesn’t send the text anywhere. Read it in the prompter moves the script to the prompter page in the same browser, and it stays on your device there too.
How many words per minute is normal when speaking?
It depends on the speaker and the room, which is why the timer shows a range. On AnyCue’s scale, speed 3 (about 150 words per minute) is a calm talking pace, speed 2 (about 118) is slow and speed 4 (about 182) is fast.
Why does my read take longer than the timer says?
The timer counts words only. Pauses for breath or effect, slides and demos all add time, so if you rehearse and run long, pick a faster pace or trim the script.
How do I fit a speech into a time limit?
Type the limit in minutes into the Time limit box. The timer shows the speed that gets you there, or how many words to cut if even the fastest speed isn’t enough.