How long does it take to deliver a speech?
Average speaking speed is 130–150 words per minute (WPM) for conversational speech. At this rate:
| Duration | Words needed |
|---|---|
| 1 minute | 130–150 words |
| 3 minutes | 390–450 words |
| 5 minutes | 650–750 words |
| 10 minutes | 1,300–1,500 words |
| 15 minutes | 1,950–2,250 words |
| 20 minutes | 2,600–3,000 words |
| 30 minutes | 3,900–4,500 words |
| 1 hour | 7,800–9,000 words |
Famous speakers and their WPM
| Speaker | Style | WPM |
|---|---|---|
| Martin Luther King Jr. | Deliberate, powerful | 90–100 WPM |
| Barack Obama | Clear, presidential | 120–130 WPM |
| Average person | Conversational | 125–150 WPM |
| TED Talk average | Engaging | 163 WPM |
| John F. Kennedy | Energetic | 180 WPM |
| Auctioneer | Very fast | 250+ WPM |
Tips for different speaking speeds
Speaking too fast (>180 WPM)
- Listeners can't process information quickly enough
- Appears nervous or unprepared
- Solution: Pause after key points, breathe deliberately
Speaking too slow (<100 WPM)
- Audience loses attention
- Can feel condescending
- Solution: Vary pace — slow for important points, faster for transitions
Ideal pace
130–160 WPM for most presentations. Slow down to 100 WPM for complex or emotional content.
Silent reading vs speaking speed
The average person reads silently at ~238 WPM — significantly faster than speaking aloud. Never time your speech by reading it silently. Always read aloud (or use this calculator with your word count) for an accurate duration.
How to calculate speech duration free
- Go to Speech Duration Calculator
- Paste your script or enter word count
- Select your speaking speed
- View duration instantly for all speed presets
- Use the timing guide to see how many words you need for your target duration
- Export a timing report as
.txt