How many words per minute do we speak?

In a presentation, a calm ~130 wpm. Too fast (over 160) is hard to follow.

How long is a 1000-word speech?

About 7–8 minutes at a normal presentation pace.

Speech Time Calculator

Estimate the length of a speech or presentation from word count and speaking pace. Helps plan talks.

Word count: 1,000 words

Speaking pace: 130 wpm

7.7 min

Speech length

Length in minutes	7.7 min
Words / minute	130 wpm

ℹ️ A calm presentation pace is ~120–140 words per minute. Slow down on key points.

The speech time calculator estimates how long a talk or presentation will run once you know the word count and your speaking pace. It helps you fit a speech into the time available and avoid running too long or too short.

How the calculator works and what it’s for▾

How the length is calculated

Speech length is the word count divided by speaking pace: minutes = words / words-per-minute. A 1,300-word script delivered at 130 wpm runs about ten minutes.

The calculator also shows the speaking pace in words per minute so you can compare it with your target.

What you enter and what you get

Enter the script's word count and your estimated speaking pace. You get the length in minutes along with words per minute.

A calm presentation pace is around 120–140 words per minute, so use that as a starting point if you are unsure of your own rhythm.

When to use it

It is useful when preparing lectures, wedding speeches, webinars or video scripts where the duration is limited.

It shows in advance whether you need to trim the script or can add content to reach your target time.

Tips for a natural delivery

Slow down at key moments and leave pauses, which makes the real length slightly longer than the estimate. Also allow time for audience reactions and possible questions.

Rehearse the speech aloud with a timer for the most accurate estimate tailored to your style.

🔄 Reviewed June 2026