Use our Speech Time Calculator to estimate how long your speech will take to deliver, based on your speaking speed and word count. Controlling your speech rate and speech time is key to delivering an engaging presentation. If you speak too fast, your message may feel rushed and hard to follow. If you speak too slowly, you risk losing the audience’s attention. By understanding how many words you deliver per minute, you can plan and adjust your speech for maximum impact.
The typical speaking rate ranges between 110 and 150 words per minute (wpm). Knowing your own pace allows you to tailor your speech duration to fit your available time slot and audience needs. Use the calculator below to estimate your total speech time in minutes.
Speech Time Calculator
Enter your text length and select your speaking pace to calculate how long your speech will take to deliver:
Speech Time Conversion Tables
Here are some quick reference tables to help you estimate your speech length based on typical speaking rates:
At 100 words per minute (slow pace)
| 100 words | 1 minute |
| 200 words | 2 minutes |
| 300 words | 3 minutes |
| 500 words | 5 minutes |
| 1000 words | 10 minutes |
At 130 words per minute (average pace)
| 130 words | 1 minute |
| 260 words | 2 minutes |
| 390 words | 3 minutes |
| 650 words | 5 minutes |
| 1300 words | 10 minutes |
At 150 words per minute (fast pace)
| 150 words | 1 minute |
| 300 words | 2 minutes |
| 450 words | 3 minutes |
| 750 words | 5 minutes |
| 1500 words | 10 minutes |
Tips for Optimizing Your Speech Rate
✔️ Practice reading your speech aloud several times to find your natural pace.
✔️ Use pauses strategically to highlight important points and give your audience time to absorb the message.
✔️ Aim for clarity and understanding — sometimes slowing down is more powerful than rushing through content.