• Games, topic printables & more
  • The 4 main speech types
  • Example speeches
  • Commemorative
  • Declamation
  • Demonstration
  • Informative
  • Introduction
  • Student Council
  • Speech topics
  • Poems to read aloud
  • How to write a speech
  • Using props/visual aids
  • Acute anxiety help
  • Breathing exercises
  • Letting go - free e-course
  • Using self-hypnosis
  • Delivery overview
  • 4 modes of delivery
  • How to make cue cards
  • How to read a speech
  • 9 vocal aspects
  • Vocal variety
  • Diction/articulation
  • Pronunciation
  • Speaking rate
  • How to use pauses
  • Eye contact
  • Body language
  • Voice image
  • Voice health
  • Public speaking activities and games
  • About me/contact
  • Speech delivery
  • How many words per minute in a speech

How many words per minute in a speech?

A quick guide for slow, average and fast rates of speech.

By:  Susan Dugdale  

If you're preparing a speech or presentation with a strict time limit it’s useful to have an estimate of the number of words you’ll need to fit the number of minutes you've been given.

And it's even more useful to have those guidelines before you rush into writing, only to discover when you’re done, you’ve written far too much. Something I used to do on a regular basis! (And then, I had the tedious job of pruning to fit.)

What's on this page:

How many words are there in a 1-minute speech, how many words are there in a 2-minute speech, how many words are there in a 3-minute speech, how many words are there in a 4-minute speech, how many words are there in a 5-minute speech, how many words are there in a 6-minute speech, how many words are there in a 7-minute speech, how many words are there in an 8-minute speech, how many words are there in a 9-minute speech, how many words are there in a 10-minute speech, how many words are there in a 15-minute speech, how many words are there in a 20-minute speech, how many words are there in a 25-minute speech, how many words are there in a 30-minute speech.

  • How to calculate your own speech rate: 2 easy methods
  • How many pages is a 4, 7 or 20-minute speech?     

how many words is a 2 minute presentation

About this quick reference guide

The following table (below) shows the average number of words spoken per minute for speeches from 1 to 30 minutes long. It's a quick reference guide: one only intended to provide general information.

Who, and what, is truly average?

An average word count for any timed speech (one minute, two minutes, three, four, five, six...or more, minutes) is impossible to give. As there really is no such thing as an average person, who uses an average rate of words per minute when they speak.

We are individuals: each of us different. Speech patterns and speech (speaking) rates vary considerably between person to person for a great many reasons. The best you’ll ever get is an educated guess.

Use as an estimate: test yourself to be sure

That aside, the following estimates will give you a handy indication of the number of minutes it takes to say x number of words depending on whether you talk at a slow speed, a medium speed or you're one of the world's fast talkers.

(And, no, it's never a good idea to gabble at a mile a minute to fit everything you've prepared into the length of time you've been given!)

To be absolutely sure what you've done will fit the time allocation you've been given it's a good idea to test yourself to establish your own speaking rate or speed of speech .

How many pages is a 'x' minute speech?

Multiple variations on the question how many pages are needed for a speech are frequently asked. For instance:

  • How many pages is a 4-minute speech?
  • How many pages is a 7-minute speech?
  • How many pages is a 20-minute presentation?

Unfortunately, the answer is not simple. Calculating the number of A4 pages of text you need for a speech of any number of minutes long is tricky for two reasons.

How many words are on an A4 page?

The first reason is that the number of words on an A4 page depends on how the page has been formatted. The answers to the questions below make a very big difference to the total number of pages needed to print a speech.

  • What is the font family being used? (Different fonts take up differing amounts of space because of the shape/design of their characters.)  
  • What is the size of the font? (The font size you're reading right now is 20px.)
  • What is the spacing between each of the letters in a word?
  • What is the spacing between each line of text? Is it single spacing, 1.5 or double line spacing?
  • What spacing has been set for paragraphs?
  • What size have the margins of the page been set at?
  • Are there headings? Sub-headings or lists?

On average if the font is plain, (sans-serif, without embellishment), like Arial or Verdana, its size is set for 12px, and the line spacing is set for 1.5, then a page may have between 400-500 words on it.

Speech rate changes how we calculate the number of words we need

The second reason why using the number of pages to gauge how long a speech will take to deliver is problematical is because we speak at different rates. 

A 500-word page may take someone speaking at very slow rate 4 minutes to get through.

Another person, who has a much faster speaking rate, may take about 2.5 minutes to deliver exactly the same text.

Using the number of pages as a guide for a speech that has to fit a time limit is completely unreliable.

If you need to use a 'guesstimate' use the speech rate table below. Forget about counting the pages! 

If you are a slow speaker, less than 120 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 120 - 160 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 160 - 200 words.

If you are a slow speaker less than 240 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 240 - 320 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 320 - 400 words.

If you are a slow speaker less than 360 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 360 – 480 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 480 - 600 words.

If you are a slow speaker less than 480 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 480 – 640 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 640 - 800 words.

If you are a slow speaker less than 600 words,

If you speak at an average speed between: 600 – 760 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 760 - 1000 words.

If you are a slow speaker less than 720 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 720 – 960 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 960 - 1200 words.

If you are a slow speaker less than 840 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 840 – 1120 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 1120 - 1400 words.

If you are a slow speaker less than 960 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 960 – 1280 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 1280 - 1600 words.

If you are a slow speaker less than 1080 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 1080 – 1440 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 1440 - 1800 words.

If you are a slow speaker a little less than 1200 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 1200 – 1600 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 1600 - 2000 words.

If you are a slow speaker, a little less than 1,800 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 1,800 - 2,400 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 2,400 - 3,000 words.

If you are a slow speaker, a little less than 2,400 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 2,400 - 3,200 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 3,200 - 4,000 words.

If you are a slow speaker, a little less than 3,000 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 3,000 - 4,000 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 4,000 - 5,000 words.

If you are a slow speaker, a little less than 3,600 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 3,600 - 4,800 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 4,800 - 6,000 words.

Return to Top

Find out more about speech rate

  • How to calculate your own words per minute speech rate - two easy methods
  • The factors influencing a faster rate or slower rate of speech
  • How to develop an ideal rate of speech : one matching content, speech purpose and your audience: six exercises for flexible speaking rate

Words per minute calculator

Lastly here's the link to a useful online words per minutes calculator . Once you've completed your speech enter the total number of words, and select whether you want it to give you an average for a minute of your speech at a slow rate, average or fast rate. Again, it's a 'guesstimate'. ☺

The only really safe way to find out whether your speech fits your time allocation is to say it aloud at an ideal rate or pace: one taking into account the content, and the audience who is going to listen to it, while timing it.

(Use the record function on your phone. It will assist in lots of other ways too! You'll hear where you need more vocal variety, where your pronunciation is blurred ...and, so on. It's super helpful.)

speaking out loud 

Subscribe for  FREE weekly alerts about what's new For more see  speaking out loud  

Susan Dugdale - write-out-loud.com - Contact

Top 10 popular pages

  • Welcome speech
  • Demonstration speech topics
  • Impromptu speech topic cards
  • Thank you quotes
  • Impromptu public speaking topics
  • Farewell speeches
  • Phrases for welcome speeches
  • Student council speeches
  • Free sample eulogies

From fear to fun in 28 ways

A complete one stop resource to scuttle fear in the best of all possible ways - with laughter.

Public speaking games ebook cover - write-out-loud.com

Useful pages

  • Search this site
  • About me & Contact
  • Blogging Aloud
  • Free e-course
  • Privacy policy

©Copyright 2006-24 www.write-out-loud.com

Designed and built by Clickstream Designs

how many words is a 2 minute presentation

Introducing Speech Time Calculate

Estimate how many minutes your speeches, presentations, and voice-over scripts will take based on your words per minute rate!

How To Speech Time Calculate Using This Tool?

If you have a certain number of words or a piece of text you want to time, you can either type in the word count or paste the text into the provided area. This tool will then calculate how long it would take to read that text out loud.

The talk time estimate is calculated using the average speaking speed of adults, which is determined to be 183 words per minute based on scientific studies. If you’re interested in how long it would take to read silently, it’s estimated at 238 words per minute ( This data is also backed by research )

You can adjust the slider to change the words per minute value, which will affect the talk time estimate. However, the silent reading time estimate remains fixed at 238 words per minute.

For ease of use, we’ve also provided reference points for slow, average, and fast reading rates below the slider.

To begin anew, simply click the ‘clear text’ button to erase the content and restore the slider back to its original setting of 183.

Who is This Words to Minutes Converter Tool For?

If you are a student wondering how long is my essay or you’ve been tasked with writing a speech and need to know how many words to aim for and how many minutes will it take to deliver or perhaps you are a podcaster, just starting out, who wants the ability to easily synchronize music and spoken word without having to painstakingly calculate seconds between them, then this Speech Time Calculate is precisely for you!

From now on, instead of spending long hours in front of the computer trying to figure out how many seconds it takes for one phrase or section of dialogue to end and another to begin, you can let our innovative tool do all the work and convert your text to time quickly and accurately. With this powerful tool at your disposal, whether you’re giving a TED talk or just need to nail a business presentation, your life will become a little bit easier.

So keep reading to learn more about what this fantastic words to minutes converter has in store for public speakers, aspiring students, and professional radio producers alike!

Whether you want to read the text silently or speak aloud, you can use this tool as both:

  • Reading time calculator
  • Talk time calculator

Explanation of the Reading Time

Reading time refers to the duration it takes for an average person to read a written text silently while still comprehending its content. Based on an extensive analysis of 190 studies that involved 18,573 participants , research conducted by Marc Brysbaert in 2019 suggests that the typical silent reading speed for an adult individual is approximately 238 words per minute .

To convert word count to read time for a specific text, you can do so by dividing the total word count of the text by this established value of 238. Here is the mathematical equation for determining the duration of reading time in minutes:

Reading Time = Total Word Count / 238

Explanation of the Speech Time

Speech time refers to the duration it takes for an average person to read a text out loud. Based on data from 77 studies involving 5,965 people , it’s been found that most adults read aloud at a speed of approximately 183 words per minute ( research conducted by Marc Brysbaert in 2019 ). To figure out how long it will take to read a specific piece of text aloud, you can divide the total number of words in the text by this average rate of 183 words per minute.

Of course, it’s important to note that talk time can vary depending on factors such as clarity of speech, pauses for emphasis, and use of visual aids. However, using this tool for converting the number of words to minutes can still provide a helpful guideline for planning and practicing your presentation. By having a better understanding of speech rates, you can ensure that your message is delivered effectively and efficiently.

Benefits of Using a Speech Time Calculate

Time management in presentations.

Effective time management during presentations is crucial to ensure the audience remains engaged and the information is accurately conveyed. This is where our words to speaking time converter comes in handy. By using this tool, presenters can easily determine how many words they need to include in their presentation to stay within the allotted time frame.

Not only does it help with time management, but it also ensures that the pacing of the presentation is consistent, making it easier for the audience to follow. With the use of this presentation time calculator, presenters can confidently deliver their presentations without the worry of running over time or rushing through it.

Estimated speech time for public speaking

Public speaking can be nerve-wracking, especially when you have too little or too much information to fill your time slot. You wonder only if there were an accurate public speaking time calculator available so that you could be able to allocate the appropriate amount of time to each section of your presentation, ensuring that you cover all the necessary points without rushing or going over time.

Effective pacing is key in ensuring your message is delivered with clarity and impact.

Most public speakers target an average of 130-150 words per minute for their spoken content, meaning you should aim to limit your speaking time to roughly one minute per 130-150 words. While this may take some practice to achieve, the end result is a confident, well-timed delivery that keeps your audience engaged from start to finish.

Remember, in public speaking, less is often more—take your time to breathe and emphasize key points. Your audience will appreciate your thoughtful and measured approach. For that, you can use this tool and adjust your words to speech time.

Accurate estimations for audiobooks and podcasts

As more and more people turn to audiobooks and podcasts for their entertainment and information needs, accurate estimations of listening time have become more important than ever. After all, there’s nothing worse than settling in for a quick listen only to find yourself trapped in a story that goes on for hours longer than you anticipated.

That’s why it’s great to see publishers and podcast producers taking estimated reading time seriously, providing listeners with the information they need to choose the right content for their schedule. Whether you’re looking for a quick listen on your daily commute or a lengthy distraction for a lazy Sunday afternoon, accurate estimations using this words to speak time calculator make it easier than ever to find the perfect content.

Some Popular Speech Times

how many words in a 2 minute speech

Almost 300 words

how many words in a 3 minute speech

Almost 450 words

how many words in a 4 minute speech

Almost 600 words

how many words in a 15 minute speech

Almost 2250 words

The speech time is calculated taking 150 words per minute as reference value

Common conversions (average speed)

How long does it take to read 500 words?

3.8 minutes

How long does it take to read 750 words?

5.8 minutes

How long does it take to read 1000 words?

7.7 minutes

How long does it take to read 1200 words?

9.2 minutes

How long does it take to read 1500 words?

11.5 minutes

How long does it take to read 1800 words?

13.8 minutes

How long does it take to read 2000 words?

15.4 minutes

How long does it take to read 3000 words?

23.1 minutes

As the world becomes more fast-paced, time is a precious commodity. Determining how long your script will take to read, whether for a presentation or a video, can make a significant difference in engaging and retaining your audience’s attention.

That’s where our Words to Time Converter comes in handy. It’s a valuable tool for anyone working in various professions, from broadcast journalists to teachers to executives. No matter the industry, time is of the essence, and knowing how long your speech or presentation will take is crucial for effective communication.

Do you wonder how long it takes to deliver your speech?

This website helps you convert the number of words into the time it takes to deliver your speech, online and for free. This tool is useful when preparing a speech or a presentation. The number of minutes you will take is dependent on the number of words and your speed of speech, or reading speed.

Note: This calculator provides an indication only.

Enter details below

The overview below provides an indication of the minutes for a speech (based on an average reading speed of 130 words per minute):

  • Words in a 1 minute speech 130 words
  • Words in a 2 minute speech 260 words
  • Words in a 3 minute speech 390 words
  • Words in a 4 minute speech 520 words
  • Words in a 5 minute speech 650 words
  • Words in a 10 minute speech 1300 words
  • Words in a 15 minute speech 1950 words
  • Words in a 20 minute speech 2600 words
  • How long does a 500 word speech take? 3.8 minutes
  • How long does a 1000 word speech take? 7.7 minutes
  • How long does a 1250 word speech take? 9.6 minutes
  • How long does a 1500 word speech take? 11.5 minutes
  • How long does a 1750 word speech take? 13.5 minutes
  • How long does a 2000 word speech take? 15.4 minutes
  • How long does a 2500 word speech take? 19.2 minutes
  • How long does a 5000 word speech take? 38.5 minutes
  • AI Title Generator
  • Poem Title Generator
  • Book Title Generator
  • YouTube Title Generator
  • Essay Title Generator
  • Title Rewriter
  • Title Capitalization
  • Sentence & Paragraph Rewriter
  • Essay Writer
  • Book Title Wizard
  • Character Name Generator
  • Name Generators
  • Pokemon Name Generator
  • Character Backstory Generator
  • Song Generator
  • Poem Generator
  • Word Search Puzzles
  • Ideation Articles
  • Random Topic Generator
  • Writing Prompt Generator
  • Random Essay Title Generator
  • Writing Articles
  • Online Word Counter
  • Online Grammar Checker
  • Headline Analyzer
  • Best Book Writing Software and Book Writing Apps
  • 150 Best Resources for Writers
  • Productivity
  • English Language
  • Grammar Tips
  • Headline Analyzer Tool
  • Title Capitalization Rules
  • For WordPress
  • Publishing Articles
  • Email Marketing
  • Book Articles
  • How to Get A Book Published
  • Best Literary Agencies
  • How To Self Publish a Book

How Many Words Are in a 2 Minute Long Speech?

Answer: At the normal speaking rate of 130 words per minute (wpm), a 2 minutes long speech will have about 260 words .

Speech and publication coach Daphne Gray-Grant  found that, on average, people speak at a rate of 125 to 150 wpm so a 2 minutes long speech uses between 250 to 300 words.

You can use our word counter tool to see how long on average your text will take to speak.

How can you measure your spoken words per minute?

To quickly know what your speaking rate is, write a 650-word essay and then get out a stopwatch. Time how long it takes you to speak all of the words in the essay.

Once you’ve finished, divide the word count (650 words) by the number of minutes in decimals (30 seconds = 0.5 minutes) and you’ll get an estimate of your words per minute speaking rate.

For example, if it takes you 4.5 minutes to speak 650 words, you would do 650 divided by 4.5 and get 144 words per minute.

Word Count per Speech Length

To quickly find out how many words a typical speaking length requires, see the table below. You can quickly map word counts to typical speaking rates:

  • Accessibility

Forgot your password?

Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive mail with link to set new password.

Back to login

how many words is a 2 minute presentation

How to Write a Two Minute Speech: A Step-by-Step Guide

Feeling behind on ai.

You're not alone. The Neuron is a daily AI newsletter that tracks the latest AI trends and tools you need to know. Join 400,000+ professionals from top companies like Microsoft, Apple, Salesforce and more. 100% FREE.

Have you ever been asked to give a two-minute speech and found yourself struggling to come up with the perfect words? Writing a speech, even a short one, can be a daunting task. It requires careful planning, research, and structure to convey your message effectively. But don't worry, we've got you covered. In this step-by-step guide, we'll take you through the process of crafting a concise and impactful two-minute speech.

Understanding the Purpose of a Two Minute Speech

Before we dive into the writing process, it's essential to understand the purpose of a two-minute speech. As the name suggests, a two-minute speech is a brief talk that typically conveys a specific message or idea. It may be delivered on various occasions, such as a business pitch, a wedding toast, or a school presentation.

Two-minute speeches have become increasingly popular in recent years, and it's not hard to see why. In today's fast-paced world, people have shorter attention spans, and it can be challenging to keep an audience engaged for an extended period. A two-minute speech allows you to deliver your message quickly and efficiently, without losing your audience's attention.

The Importance of Brevity

One of the critical features of a two-minute speech is brevity. Given the limited time frame, you need to convey your message succinctly and powerfully. Clarity, conciseness, and impactfulness are more important than impressing your audience with fancy words or complex arguments.

It's crucial to remember that brevity doesn't mean sacrificing substance. You still need to have a clear message and supporting points to make your speech effective. However, you must prioritize your ideas and present them in a way that is easy for your audience to understand and remember.

Common Occasions for Two-Minute Speeches

There are numerous occasions when a two-minute speech may be required. These include:

  • Job interviews: A two-minute speech can be an effective way to introduce yourself and highlight your qualifications for a job.
  • Entrepreneurship pitches: If you're looking to secure funding for a new business venture, a two-minute pitch can be an excellent way to make a quick impression on potential investors.
  • Wedding toasts: A heartfelt two-minute speech can be a beautiful way to honor the newlyweds and celebrate their love.
  • Funeral eulogies: A two-minute speech can be a powerful way to pay tribute to a loved one who has passed away.
  • Conference presentations: Two-minute speeches are becoming increasingly popular at conferences as a way for presenters to deliver quick, impactful messages.
  • School or college assignments: Two-minute speeches can be an effective way for students to practice public speaking and showcase their knowledge on a particular topic.
  • Political campaigns: Two-minute speeches are often used by politicians during debates and other public appearances to convey their message quickly and effectively.

Whether you're delivering a two-minute speech at a job interview, a wedding, or a conference, remember that brevity and impactfulness are key. With careful planning and practice, you can deliver a powerful message that will leave a lasting impression on your audience.

Planning Your Two Minute Speech

Now that you understand the critical features of a two-minute speech let's move on to the first step in the writing process, planning.

Identifying Your Main Message

The first step in planning your speech is identifying your primary message. What is it that you want to convey to your audience? Is it a call to action, an informative idea or a persuasive pitch? Once you determine your primary message, you will be able to craft the rest of your speech around it.

Researching Your Topic

After identifying your primary message, you will need to conduct research on your topic to support your arguments and convey credibility. You can use various sources, including books, articles, websites and interviews to gather information. Ensure that you only use reliable and verified sources to avoid any inaccuracies in your speech.

Knowing Your Audience

The last step in planning your speech is knowing your audience. Who will be listening to your speech, and what are their needs and expectations? Tailoring your speech to your audience will help you connect better with them and convey your message more effectively.

Structuring Your Two Minute Speech

With the planning phase complete, it's time to move on to the structure of your speech. A well-structured speech will ensure that your message is conveyed effectively, and your audience stays engaged throughout the two minutes.

Crafting a Strong Introduction

Your introduction is the most critical part of your speech. It should be attention-grabbing, informative, and set the tone for the rest of your talk. Start with a quote, anecdote, or a shocking statistic to capture your audience's attention, and then proceed to introduce your primary message.

Organizing Your Key Points

To keep your speech organized, begin by outlining your primary message and then break it down into three key points. Ensure each point supports your primary message and flows coherently into the next point. Use examples, stories, or data to illustrate your points and keep your audience engaged throughout.

Developing a Memorable Conclusion

Just as your introduction is essential, so is your conclusion. It should leave a lasting impression on your audience, summarize your main points and restate your primary message. You can end with a call to action or a powerful quote that resonates with your message and inspires your audience to act.

Writing Tips for a Two Minute Speech

Writing a great two-minute speech requires more than just outlining and structuring your talk. Here are some additional writing tips to help make your speech memorable and impactful.

Using Clear and Concise Language

When writing a two-minute speech, it's essential to use straightforward language that your audience can understand. Avoid complex vocabulary and jargon that may confuse or alienate your listeners.

Incorporating Storytelling Techniques

Using personal anecdotes, real-life examples, or case studies can help illustrate your key points and make your speech more relatable to your audience. It can also add a humanistic touch to your speech and make it more memorable in the long run.

Balancing Facts and Emotions

Lastly, it's essential to balance your use of facts and emotions. While facts help support your arguments and add credibility, emotions help connect with your audience and make your speech more impactful. A balanced approach to facts and emotions is crucial for a great two-minute speech.

ChatGPT Prompt for Writing a Two Minute Speech

Use the following prompt in an AI chatbot . Below each prompt, be sure to provide additional details about your situation. These could be scratch notes, what you'd like to say or anything else that guides the AI model to write a certain way.

Compose a speech that is two minutes in length, ensuring that it is well-crafted, comprehensive, and of the highest quality possible.

[ADD ADDITIONAL CONTEXT. CAN USE BULLET POINTS.]

In conclusion, writing a two-minute speech requires careful planning, research, and structure. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you'll be able to craft a concise, impactful talk that resonates with your audience and conveys your message effectively. Remember to keep it simple, use storytelling techniques and maintain a balance between facts and emotions. With practice, you'll be able to deliver great two-minute speeches that leave a lasting impression on your audience.

You Might Also Like...

Convert words to time

How Many Words is a 2 Minute Speech

How many pages is a 2 minute speech.

Font: Arial; Line spacing: 1

Font: Arial; Line spacing 1,5

Word Counter

Word Count: 0

Online Stopwatch

Speaking time calculator

Type or paste your speech to instantly calculate your speaking time

How does this speech timer work

To begin, delete the sample text and either type in your speech or copy and paste it into the editor.

The average reading speed and speech rate is 200 words per minute and is the default setting above. Once you paste your speech, click “Play” and Speechify will analyze your speech by the number of words and generate a time to speak it at the default rate.

You can listen to your speech in various accents or languages. If you are aiming for a specific timeframe for your speech, click edit to either increase or decrease the number of words to see how long it would take to speak them.

You can also increase or decrease the speaking rate to gauge how fast or slow you should speak in order to get to a specific time with the number of words you have in your speech.

To get to that perfect word count to fit with the speech length time, you’ll have to keep editing between words per minute (WPM) and number of words.

The best part is that you can share your speech in audio format to your friends, relatives, or peers to review it. They can simply click play and listen to your speech.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many words are there in a 1 minute speech.

Based on the average speed of speech, there are 150 words in a 1 minute speech.

How many words are there in a 2 minute speech?

There are 300 words per minute in a 2 minute speech. 2 minutes isn’t a long time so when you speak, you could endure the average speaking rate.

How many words are there in a 3 minute speech?

On average there are 450 words in a 3 minute speech. This is based on the average speech rate of 250 words per minute. At the 3 minute mark, even a novice speaker could keep going at the rate they started – with some practice.

How many words are there in a 4 minute speech?

On average there are 600 words in a 4 minute speech. This is based on the average speech rate of 250 words per minute. Still, even a novice speaker could maintain the 150 words per minute rate. Try it in the Soundbite above. Set your words per minute and speak along to see if you could endure consistency over 4 minutes.

How many words are there in a 5 minute speech?

On average there are 750 words in a 5 minute speech. This is based on the average speech rate of 250 words per minute. While this is simple math, we after all are humans and 5 minutes can be pushing the boundaries of a consistent speech tempo and words per minute.

How many words are there in a 10 minute speech?

In a 10 minute speech aim for 1000 words. The math might tell you 1,500 words but consider your speech. You might need pauses, rest for your voice, dramatic effects, and perhaps even audience interaction. Also, it becomes quite difficult to endure a consistent 150 words per minute speech rate for 10 minutes. Consider your listeners. We doubt very few people would want to listen to a precisely 150 words per minute speech for 10 minutes. It wouldn’t be engaging. And in a speech, you should engage and communicate.

Speechify is the #1 text-to-speech reader

Install anywhere and sync your data everywhere

Speechify Chrome extension

Listen to any text on your laptop or desktop. Read aloud with the Speechify text-to-speech extension for Chrome. ​ 

how many words is a 2 minute presentation

Speechify for iOS​

Get the #1 rated app for text-to-speech in the App Store. Speechify can read books, documents, and articles while you cook, work out, commute, or any other activity you can think of. 

Speechify Android app

Speechify is a text to speech (tts) screen reader that can read any text, PDF, document, book, email, file, or article online out loud on your phone. 

Only available on iPhone and iPad

To access our catalog of 100,000+ audiobooks, you need to use an iOS device.

Coming to Android soon...

Join the waitlist

Enter your email and we will notify you as soon as Speechify Audiobooks is available for you.

You’ve been added to the waitlist. We will notify you as soon as Speechify Audiobooks is available for you.

PresentationSkills.me

How Many Words Should Be in My Speech? (Based on Number of Minutes)

how many words is a 2 minute presentation

Crafting a speech? Typically, individuals speak at 125-200 words per minute. For instance, a 5-minute speech is about 625-1000 words. Keep this pace in mind to tailor your speech’s length to your time limit. Familiarity and nerves can also influence speed.

You can use our handy guide to find out how many words should be in your speech, based on the number of minutes you have to speak. We will also discuss the ideal word count for different lengths of speeches. Let’s get started!

At a Glance:

  • Average speaking rate is 125-200 words per minute.
  • Word count for a 5-minute speech is typically 625-1000 words.
  • Speaking speed varies based on personal style, familiarity, and nerves.
  • Several factors influence the ideal word count for a given speech duration.
  • Regular rehearsal ensures effective speech delivery.

Speech Duration vs. Word Count

Estimating speaking time for a manuscript, factors affecting the word count in your timed speech, number of words based on the number of minutes.

The average person speaks at a rate of about 125 to 200 words per minute, but this can vary depending on your natural speaking style and the context of your speech. Other factors like how well you know your material and how nervous you are can also affect your speaking rate.

When it comes to speeches, many people worry about how many words they should use per minute. The truth is, there is no specific number. However, knowing the average word count for different speech lengths can help you plan and pace your words more effectively.

Here is a breakdown of the average word counts for speeches of different lengths.

To simplify things, let’s look at word counts for standard time intervals:

1-minute speech: 125 – 200 words 5-minute speech: 625 – 1000 words 10-minute speech: 1250 – 2000 words 15-minute speech: 1875 – 3000 words 20-minute speech: 2500 – 4000 words 30-minute speech: 3750 – 6000 words 45-minute speech: 5625 – 9000 words 60-minute (or 1-hour) speech: 7500 – 12000 words

For intermediate minutes, you can use the average rate of 125-200 wpm to estimate.

If you have a written speech or manuscript, you might be curious about its duration when spoken.

Here’s a quick guide based on word counts:

100 words: About 0.5 to 0.8 minutes 200 words: About 1 to 1.6 minutes 250 words: About 1.25 to 2 minutes 500 words: About 2.5 to 4 minutes (And so on, using the average speaking rate of 125-200 wpm.)

Several factors can impact how many words your speech should ideally have for a given time frame. Understanding these variables can help you deliver a presentation that’s both engaging and perfectly timed. Here’s a breakdown of these influential factors:

  • Natural Speaking Rate: Every individual possesses a unique speaking pace. Some naturally express thoughts swiftly, clocking in around 200 words per minute or even faster. In contrast, others may speak more deliberately, averaging around 125 words per minute. This inherent rhythm greatly influences the word count of a speech for a given time frame.
  • Audience Demographic: Your audience’s age, background, and familiarity with the topic can dictate the speed at which you should present. For example, a technical presentation for industry experts might proceed faster than one for novices, even if the word count remains consistent.

  • Topic Complexity: More intricate or challenging subjects demand a slower pace to ensure comprehension. In such cases, even if the speech’s duration is lengthy, the word count might be on the lower side to accommodate pauses and explanations.
  • Use of Visual Aids: Incorporating slides, charts, or videos can mean fewer words spoken. Visual elements often require pauses, allowing the audience to process the information visually rather than just auditorily.
  • Nervousness: Unsurprisingly, nervousness can speed up one’s delivery. A speaker might rush through their material when anxious, resulting in a higher word count in a shorter time frame.

Crafting a speech that’s both engaging and appropriately timed is an art. While the word count provides a framework, considering the factors above ensures your speech is not just well-timed, but also effective. As you prepare, always prioritize clarity, engagement, and resonance with your audience over sticking rigidly to word counts.

It’s important to know how many words your speech should be so that you can plan and structure it accordingly. We hope this guide will help you determine the number of minutes your speech should be based on the number of words. Keep in mind that this is just a general guideline, and you may need more or less time depending on your content.

So use this as a starting point, and then adjust as needed. And most importantly, practice, practice, practice! The more you run through your speech beforehand, the smoother it will go when you’re up in front of an audience. Thanks for reading!

Related Posts:

Slides-For-Presentations

Free Online Words to Minutes Calculator

How long should your 5 minutes speech be? How many words should your essay be to take 5 minutes reading?

To find an answer, you need words to minutes calculator. IvyPanda Experts prepared this post, where you will find 10 free words to minutes converters, find out how to measure your speaking rate, and how long your X-minute speech has to be.

🏆 Top 10 Free Words to Minutes Converter

🎤 how long does a 4-minute speech have to be, ⏱ how to measure your speech length, 1. speech in minutes.

This is a free-to-use speech calculator to measure how long it takes to deliver your speech. To use this tool, you need to enter the word count and choose the reading speed: from slow (100 words per minute) to fast (160 words per minute). No registration is needed.

2. Words to Time

Words To Time as an ad-free text to speech calculator that will provide you with the number of minutes immediately. You can type the number of words you want to convert or paste your text and grab the result. Don’t forget to pick up the reading speed!

3. The Word Finder

This is a free speech length estimator. No sign-up, no ads, or captcha. Type the word count, choose speaking speed, and grab the result immediately. There are also available various cool apps like Font Generators, Backwards Text Converter, Time Calc, etc.

4. EdgeStudio

Edge Studio, the voice recording company, developed a free online script timer. Depending on the data available, you can put the words count, paste your text, or type the average words per line. You will get a result instantly after you click the button “Submit.” On the tab “Statistics,” you can find out stats about reading speed, word, and line count.

5. Copywritely

At this website, you can measure the time of reading your text within a couple of clicks using its words to minutes calculator. Paste your text, and at the bottom of the field, you will see the word count and the approximate speech time.

The tool is available in English, Russian, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and Dutch. Also, there are available Grammar Checker, Alphabetizer, Words to Pages, and other apps that will become handy for any writing purpose.

6. Read-O-Meter

Read-O-Meter is a simple and hassle-free word to minutes calculator to estimate the reading time. All you have to do is just type or paste the text you want to calculate the speech or article length and press the button “Estimate Reading Time.”

7. TheVoice Realm

This speech length calculator was designed by the online voice casting company. To use it, you need to paste your text or the word count and find out the estimated time. The page also contains background information about the speaking speed and how many minutes in 300, 900, and more words.

To use the Words to Time Conversion tool, you need to know the word count of your text. To get the estimated speech time, you need to type the number of words and adjust reading or speaking time, and you will get an immediate result. The tool is free and contains no ads.

9. Debatrix

This is another ad-free word to minute speech calculator to find out how long your speech will take. To measure the estimated time, you need to paste the text. The online app will count the number of words and speech duration.

10. TextConverter

The website provides plenty of tools that will be useful for students, SEO specialists, and writers.

Choose the text type: speech or locution, reading rhythm, and get the estimated time for your project. The app also will count the number of words and characters.

On the website, you can also find other utilities: Text Randomizer, Upper and Lower Case converters, E-mails Extractor, Hashtags, etc. The site is available in English and Portuguese languages.

Why do we need to measure the reading or speaking time?

There can be a variety of reasons. For example, you should prepare a 5-minute speech, or your post should not exceed 10 minutes of reading.

Speaking or reading time depends on the person who is going to read the text. Below, you will find a table that will help you quickly determine the duration of the content. The table is divided into two parts. The first one gives you reference information of minutes to words conversion. The second one shows the inverse correlation.

This table provides only the estimated information. The actual speech duration depends on your speaking pace, pauses, and so on. Below you will find out what impacts and how to measure your speaking rate.

Keep reading!

In this post, we will share with you how to measure how long your speech will be. Also, you will find out what impacts your speaking pace and how to practice it.

Determine the Word Count

First things first, so let’s determine the number of words you want to turn to minutes. If you use the Microsoft Word or Open Office, you will find out the word count on the status bar at the bottom of the screen.

In Google Docs, you can click Tools>>Word Count, or use the shortcut CTRL+SHIFT+C. If you use other word processors, refer to the help system of the tool.

Determine the Speech Pace

If you don’t know how many words you speak per minute, there are a couple of options to find out it. Check them below!

Use the sample text. Here is how it works: take your sample text, start the timer, and begin reading it aloud. When the minute is up, use your word processing app to figure out how many words you read. This will be your speed of speech.

Record yourself. Another way to find out your speaking pace is to record your speech. Set a timer for a minute, read any text, or talk about any topic while recording it. Then, listen to it and count the words you spoke. You can count it manually or use the software, for example, IBM Speech to Text calculator .

What Impacts Your Speaking Rate?

The speaking rate is individual. There are many factors that influence it. Here are some of them:

  • Pauses, and rhetorical devices. The more it has, the slower your speaking rate will be.
  • Condition of the speaker. If you’re angry, excited, or in a hurry, you will probably speak faster than usual. On the other hand, when you are tired, it makes it harder to speak quickly.
  • Urgency. Here’s the deal: in emergencies, we are more likely will speak quicker than in a calm environment.
  • Mental issues. Some mental conditions may lead to a slower or faster speech rate.
  • Audience and event. For example, if you are recording audio for a radio ad, you will speak faster, since you are limited by the time. Another example is when you are trying to explain the complicated term to students. More likely, you will slow down your speech. During the presentation, you can also make pauses while changing the slides or checking your notes.
  • Environment. Yes, your background directly impacts your speaking pace: your dialect, family, culture, friends, and neighbors, etc.
  • Words and content complexity. The long and complex words also impact your speaking pace, making it slower. The same can be said about complex content—it requires more time to deliver it to the audience. Remember about this if you are limited by time.
  • Language. Depending on the language you speak, your speaking rate will vary. In 2011, the University of Lyon researchers asked volunteers to read twenty texts in their native languages: English, German, French, Spanish, Mandarin, Japanese, and Italian. The purpose of studies was to find out how the density of syllables impacts the rate of communication.

Here’s what they found: the Mandarin language is the slowest one, with 5.18 syllables per second. However, it has the highest information density. The fastest language is Japanese, with its 7.84 syllables per second rate. English language speaking rate is 6.19 syllables per second.

Another interesting fact about the speaking rate is the world record shattered by Steve Woodmore . He articulates 637 words in one minute!

If you are wondering about the average speaking rates, check the table below:

how many words is a 2 minute presentation

Source: National Center for Voice and Speech

But what about reading? Is the reading pace the same as speaking?

On average, people read 180-300 words per minute. However, speed readers can read 1000+ words per minute.

How to Practice Your Speaking Rate?

You might have met people called a motor-mouth — they speak too fast, and words seem rocket out from their mouths. Others, on the opposite, speak too slowly. You can compare them with sloths from the movie Zootopia:

Both these cases can be fun for a while. However, the too fast and too slow speech will make the listeners lose their interest.

The solution is to practice your speaking rate, making it flexible, and adapting to your audience’s needs.

Below, you will find five easy exercises that will help you to develop a flexible speaking rate:

Read children’s books aloud.

Here’s the deal: when you read stories to a child, you might notice that some passages require you to speak faster, while others must be read at a slow pace.

Read a story several times aloud to become familiar with the text and its passages. If it is possible, record yourself. Then, try reading the text and change the pace. Listen to the records to hear the differences. Think of how the speaking rate impacts the comprehension of the text.

Read scientific reports.

You may find this exercise boring, but yet it will be helpful for delivering complex things in your future speeches.

First, pick up the newspaper or magazine. For example, you can try a Science magazine website — there are plenty of interesting topics, reports, and articles to discover. After you select the report, read it silently to familiarize yourself with the material. The next step is to read it aloud (don’t forget about recording yourself!), noting which parts of the text should be read at a slow pace, and which — faster.

You can extend this exercise and image that you read the article to someone who knows nothing about this topic. Listen to the records and pay attention to the changes you made.

Read your own class speeches.

Make a series of experiments with one of your old class speeches. First, record it delivering the speech at your normal speaking pace. Check the time it took to deliver.

The next step is to mark down some passages to read at slower and others — at a faster rate. Now, read it aloud again while adhering to the marks. Listen to the records; note how changed the time and overall speech comprehension.

Listen to various speakers.

Watch the movie, listen to the news on TV, and watch the classical play. Compare the speech rates of the speakers. You will notice the rhetorical devices they use and how effective their speech is. Then, experiment with your own speech and see how it changes.

Read texts you are familiar with.

Read the text you already know at a quicker or slower pace than usual. Record yourself and play it back. Note the places where your speaking rate was effective and where it wasn’t. Then, mark these places and reread the text again, implementing these changes and recording yourself. See how your speech has changed.

These simple exercises will help you to produce effective speeches for various audiences.

There are a couple of things you need to remember when you speak:

  • Fast speaking indicates urgency, passion, and emotions. If you want to stimulate and excite the attention of your listeners, speak quickly. However, you should remember that after a couple of minutes of listening to fast speech, it becomes overwhelming.
  • Slow speaking, on the other hand, indicates the seriousness of your point, its importance. Use this approach to grab the attention of your audience. The slow pace also will help them to easier process the information you want to deliver. Similar to fast speaking, too slow pace in your entire speech also can overwhelm and bore your listeners.

How to Make the Speech Memorable

Pace yourself to highlight the most important parts of the speech, and your audience will memorize what you said. The key to any great speech is the retention of the audience. Check the IvyPanda expert advice to make your talks memorable :

  • Tell stories. Interesting examples not only illustrate your speech but also help listeners to recall what you said. Humor and short stories from your life will also help you to grab the attention of your audience. Important notice: tell only relevant ones and don’t overuse them.
  • Use pauses and breaks. Just like a novel is broken into chapters and paragraphs, pauses in your speech serve as a signal of the end of one point and transition to another.

Use simple and short sentences and phrases. Short sentences and simple language will help you to maximize the engagement and comprehension of your audience. Avoid complex words unless you are talking about specific tech terms in front of the professionals in this sphere.

  • Engage your audience with questions. At the beginning of the speech, ask your audience a question or two. This method will give them a hook and grab their attention.
  • Review your speech after you wrote it. Check if everything is clear. Rehearse it in various rates and note places where you need to speed up your speech and where to slow it down.

Now you know how to find out the length of your speech, have all the tools to convert words to minutes, and advice on how to practice your speaking rate. Don’t forget to check our other tools to write outstanding speeches.

Updated: Oct 25th, 2023

  • Free Essays
  • Writing Tools
  • Lit. Guides
  • Donate a Paper
  • Referencing Guides
  • Free Textbooks
  • Tongue Twisters
  • Job Openings
  • Expert Application
  • Video Contest
  • Writing Scholarship
  • Discount Codes
  • IvyPanda Shop
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • Copyright Principles
  • DMCA Request
  • Service Notice

When you are working on a 5-minute speech, you may want to know how many words you should write. This page contains links to 10 free online words to minutes converters. Here you will also find tips on how to measure your speaking rate and how to make your speech memorable.

Speak 2 Impress

No products in the cart.

man standing in front of microphone

Guide to Speaking Rates: How Many Words Per Minute Should Your Speech Be?

Ever find yourself grappling with the pace of your words during a presentation? You’re definitely not alone. It turns out, the average speaking rate for folks in the United States is about 150 words per minute – a little nugget of information that was a game-changer for me on my path to becoming more confident in public speaking .

In this article, we’re going to dive into everything from understanding different speech rates to fine-tuning your own rhythm , ensuring your next presentation strikes the perfect balance .

Stick around; you won’t want to miss these insights!

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

  • Speaking at the right speed is crucial for keeping your audience engaged. The average speaking rate in the United States is about 150 words per minute. But, this can change based on who you’re talking to and what you’re saying.
  • Different types of speeches need different speeds. For TED Talks, aim for around 163 words per minute to keep things interesting. Political speeches should be slower, at about 110-120 words per minute, to add weight to your words. Business presentations work best at a pace of about 140 words per minute.
  • Your speaking rate can vary because of many reasons like where you’re from, how excited you are, or if you know a lot about the topic. Other big factors include how confident you feel and physical things like being tired or sick.
  • You can get better at finding the right speed by practicing out loud with exercises and asking people for their honest thoughts on your speech style. Using tools like word counts helps plan how long your talk will be.
  • Changing how fast or slow you speak during a presentation makes it more exciting and helps highlight important points. Slowing down when sharing something significant or speeding up when showing excitement keeps listeners interested.

Understanding Speaking Rates and Words per Minute

Understanding speaking rates involves grasping the concept of speaking rate and average reading speed, as well as identifying the factors that influence how fast or slow someone speaks.

Additionally, it’s important to understand the ideal speaking rate for different types of speeches such as TED Talks , political speeches , and business presentations .

What is speaking rate

Speaking rate is how fast or slow you talk, measured in words per minute . For example, the average speaking rate for English speakers in the United States is around 150 words per minute.

This number can change depending on who you are talking to or what you’re talking about. Some people naturally speak faster, while others take their time and speak more slowly.

The speed at which someone speaks can affect how well the audience understands and engages with the speech. Speaking too fast might confuse listeners, but going too slow might make them lose interest.

Knowing your ideal speaking pace helps keep your audience hooked and conveys your message effectively. Let’s look into why understanding this balance is crucial for public speakers of all levels.

Average reading speed

After introducing the concept of speaking rate, it’s essential to touch on the average reading speed . This is crucial because it sets a baseline for understanding how our speaking speed compares to how fast we read.

This table outlines different scenarios and the average or recommended words per minute for each. It helps us gauge how our reading speed compares to various speaking contexts. For instance, while the average conversation rate and general speeches pace are similar at about 150 words per minute, voiceovers tend to be much slower, at 75 words per minute. This comparison underscores how context affects the ideal speaking speed, showing us that effective communication is not just about what we say but also how fast we say it.

Factors that influence speaking rate

The pace we speak at is influenced by several factors, including our regional dialect, cultural background, and level of excitement . Other key influencers are our familiarity with the topic , our own confidence levels, and any existing anxiety or nervousness. Additionally, physical factors like fatigue, illness, or even the layout of the speaking space can also impact our speaking rate.

  • Regional dialect and cultural background : The rhythm and intonation patterns associated with different dialects and cultures affect how fast or slow someone speaks.
  • Level of excitement : When we’re excited or passionate about a topic, we tend to speak more quickly.
  • Familiarity with the topic : If we’re very familiar with what we’re talking about, we might speak faster than if the subject matter is new to us.
  • Confidence levels and anxiety : Higher confidence levels generally result in a faster speaking pace, whereas anxiety may cause someone to speak more slowly.
  • Physical factors : Fatigue, illness, or environmental factors such as an uncomfortable speaking space can also influence speaking rate.

These variables show that many diverse aspects can affect how quickly or slowly someone speaks during a presentation or speech.

The Ideal Speaking Rate for Different Types of Speeches

TED Talks, political speeches, and business presentations each have their own ideal speaking rates to keep the audience engaged and effectively convey the message. Varying your speaking rate is essential for captivating different audiences in these varied speech contexts.

TED Talks are renowned for their powerful, thought-provoking content. The ideal speaking rate for TED Talks is about 163 words per minute . This pace allows the speaker to convey their message clearly and engagingly, keeping the audience captivated throughout the talk.

It’s important to maintain a steady yet expressive speed while delivering a TED Talk to effectively communicate your ideas and connect with your audience.

– Political speeches

Political speeches

Political speeches should aim for a speaking rate of about 110-120 words per minute . This allows the audience to absorb the information and feel the emotion behind your words. Remember, slower speaking rates can add weight and significance to your message, especially during pivotal moments in a speech .

For political speeches, aiming for around 110-120 words per minute ensures that you convey gravitas and allow your audience to absorb every point without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

Business presentations

When delivering business presentations, aim for a speaking rate of around 140 words per minute . It’s crucial to vary your speed and enunciate clearly to maintain audience engagement .

Keep in mind that the average reading speed is about 150 words per minute , so adjusting accordingly will help ensure your message is effectively communicated.

The ideal speaking rate for different types of speeches varies; however, for business presentations, a slightly slower pace can help convey complex information more clearly and allow time for the audience to digest key points.

Tips for Selecting the Right Speaking Speed

Select the right speaking speed by knowing your own rate, using word counts, planning for delays, and varying your pace to keep your audience engaged. Read more on our blog!

Know your own speaking rate

Assess your speaking rate by timing yourself for a minute as you speak naturally. Then count the number of words spoken. This will help determine your average speaking speed . Repeat this process a few times to get an accurate estimate.

For example, if you speak around 160 words in a minute, then your speaking rate is faster than the average English speaker.

Understanding how fast or slow you normally speak can inform adjustments needed when preparing speeches and presentations. This self-awareness enables better planning and aids in choosing the ideal pace for conveying your message effectively to different audiences, like when delivering TED Talks or political speeches.

Use word counts as an estimation

When determining your speaking rate , use word counts to estimate how many words you need for a specific time frame . For example, if you aim for a 5-minute speech and speak at the recommended rate of 140 words per minute, then plan to include around 700 words in your speech.

Knowing this estimation can help you tailor your content effectively for different speaking duration requirements.

By using word counts as an estimation tool , it allows you to gauge how much content is needed based on the duration of your speech. This method helps in planning and organizing the material to fit within the allocated time while ensuring that key points are effectively conveyed without rushing or dragging them out.

Plan for technical delays and Q&A

Plan for technical delays and Q&A by adding extra buffer time to your speech. It’s common for things to go off schedule, so allow a few extra minutes in case of tech hiccups or questions from the audience.

Prepare some backup material in case you need to fill time unexpectedly. Also, practice answering potential Q&A queries during your rehearsals so you can respond confidently and succinctly.

Remember that technical issues are part of public speaking, so remaining calm and prepared will help you deliver a smooth presentation even if something unexpected happens.

Vary your speaking rate

To keep your audience engaged, change the speed of your speech. Slow down for important points and speed up to show excitement or urgency. This technique helps maintain interest and emphasizes key ideas , making your speech more dynamic.

Try adjusting your speaking pace using pauses, emphasizing words, or changing tone. Varying your rate adds interest and keeps listeners focused through different speeds and rhythms.

It’s a simple yet effective way to enhance engagement throughout your speech.

How to Improve Your Speaking Rate

Improve speaking rate by practicing different exercises and seeking feedback for adjustment. Always aim to enhance your verbal delivery.

Practice with different exercises

To improve your speaking rate, try these exercises:

  • Read aloud various texts at a comfortable pace , gradually speeding up.
  • Use a metronome to set the pace and match your speaking rate to it.
  • Practice tongue twisters to enhance articulation and fluency.
  • Record yourself speaking and analyze areas for improvement.
  • Engage in role – playing scenarios to boost confidence and spontaneity.
  • Experiment with storytelling to vary your speaking speed and tone.
  • Attend public speaking workshops or join clubs like Toastmasters for structured practice.

Now let’s delve into the different exercises for improving your speaking rate!

Seek feedback and adjust accordingly

As a beginner in public speaking, seeking feedback and making adjustments is crucial. Feedback helps you understand how others perceive your speech rate and style. Adjusting accordingly can make your delivery more effective.

Remember, practice doesn’t make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect! Therefore, seek out opportunities to speak in front of diverse audiences or record yourself to get constructive criticism from different perspectives.

Taking this step will help you gain confidence and enhance your speaking skills.

I’ve learned a lot about speaking rates and how they can impact a speech. Speaking at the right speed can make your message clearer and more engaging for your audience. Now, let’s hear from an expert in public speaking.

Meet Dr. Linda Harris, a renowned communication specialist with over 20 years of experience teaching effective speaking techniques at prestigious universities. Dr. Harris has authored several influential papers on voice modulation and oratory excellence, securing her place as an authority in the field of public speaking.

Dr. Harris emphasizes that understanding your personal speaking rate is crucial for crafting speeches that resonate with audiences. By aligning your delivery with the content’s nature and audience expectations, you enhance comprehension and retention.

She refers to studies indicating optimal engagement levels when speakers maintain rates close to 140-160 words per minute.

On safety, ethics, and transparency in speech delivery, Dr. Harris highlights the importance of accurate information dissemination above maintaining specific speech speeds. Ensuring messages are truthful maintains credibility regardless of the presentation pace.

She advises incorporating varied speech rates into everyday conversations as practice for formal presentations. This flexibility not only improves adaptability but also enriches personal communication skills noticeably.

In her balanced evaluation, Dr. Harris recognizes potential challenges like adapting to technological aids during online presentations or managing time constraints in live talks effectively without sacrificing quality — issues often addressed through conscientious preparation and continuous self-awareness.

Ultimately, Dr. Harris endorses prioritizing clarity and emotional connection over rigid adherence to exact words-per-minute counts in most speaking scenarios while acknowledging certain contexts may demand stricter timing control for maximum effect.

Her insights underline practical apparatuses offered by knowing ideal speech velocities yet encourage speakers to prioritize their unique voice within this framework.

' src=

Similar Posts

Top 50 Public Speaking Topics to Wow Your Audience

Top 50 Public Speaking Topics to Wow Your Audience

Ever found your palms sweating at the thought of speaking in public? Trust me, you’re in good company. Through a…

Tips for Crafting an Unforgettable Speech for Your Christmas Party

Tips for Crafting an Unforgettable Speech for Your Christmas Party

Staring at a blank page, trying to come up with the perfect words for your Christmas party speech? Believe me,…

10 Heartfelt Eulogy Examples to Honor Your Loved One

10 Heartfelt Eulogy Examples to Honor Your Loved One

Crafting a eulogy for someone you deeply cared about can feel overwhelming. I understand this all too well, as I’ve…

Crafting a Heartfelt Eulogy for Grandfather: Tips and Examples

Crafting a Heartfelt Eulogy for Grandfather: Tips and Examples

Crafting a eulogy for your grandfather can be a profoundly touching yet daunting task. Speaking from personal experience, finding the…

10 Hilarious and Engaging Funny Speech Topics for Your Next Presentation

10 Hilarious and Engaging Funny Speech Topics for Your Next Presentation

Crafting a presentation that sticks in the minds of your audience can be quite the challenge, right? Believe me, I…

How to Craft a Memorable Welcome Address Speech: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Craft a Memorable Welcome Address Speech: A Step-by-Step Guide

Crafting a memorable welcome address can sometimes feel like navigating through unfamiliar territory. Struggling to find just the right mix…

Convert Words to Time

Calculate how long it will take to read a speech or presentation

Enter the word count of your speech below to see how long it will take you to read. Estimate the number of minutes based on a slow, average, or fast speaking pace.

Number of words

Reading speed, common conversions (average speed).

Frantically Speaking

Powerful 2 Minute Speech Topics: A-Z Guide (With 200+ Examples)

Hrideep barot.

  • Public Speaking , Speech Topics , Speech Writing

Woman giving a speech

It is often believed that giving a 2-Minute Speech is the most challenging form of public speaking because of the time constraint. But here I am to tell you that there is something even more challenging than giving a 2-minute speech. And that is finding a powerful 2-minute speech topic !

2-minute speeches are short, crisp ways to present your opinion, understanding, or study to others. It is short. It is simple. And it is convenient, especially from the listener’s point of view.

To know more about 2-minute speeches, check out this short video below:

Here is what you can expect from this blog:

What is a 2-minute speech.

  • How do you find a 2-minute speech topic?
  • 2-minute speech topics

How to make a 2-minute speech script?

2-minute speeches to memorize, delivering 2-minute speeches.

2-minute speeches are short and crisp speeches of about 260-350 words.

Because 2-minute speeches are short, you can be assured of having constant attention from your audience. This means that you might have to come up with a 2-minute speech topic that is not only informative and interesting but one that stands out and makes the audience want to listen to it immediately.

So how do you find a 2-minute speech topic?

A girl trying to find something

There are 2 ways you can find a 2-minute speech topic that would suit perfectly for your next speech.

First is when you go about doing your research and then ideating or selecting a topic that is more in line with your purpose of giving the speech.

The second and the most popular way to find a 2-minute speech topic is to go on to google and type 2-minute speech topics. You shouldn’t be shocked at the number of topics the internet has to offer to you. You might not even have to go anywhere else, jump on to the speech topics section if you want to get straight into selecting a 2-minute speech topic for yourself.

Researching for your 2-minute speech topic

So, you chose not to select one of the many topics available on the internet? That’s great! Want to know why?

1. It would help you come up with a topic that is more personalized and less common.

When you come up with the topic yourself, you move from the very broad topics available online and can find a topic that caters more to your area of interest or understanding.

2. You would be able to narrow down on a topic of your choice or area of interest.

3. it would help you gain an understanding of the topic from various points of view.

In the initial ideation stage, as you try to research the topic and find a topic for your 2-minute speech, you would be exposed to various political, environmental, or social perspectives of the same topic which would further help you to not only narrow down your topic but also understand your topic from various points of view, thus helping you ace a question-and-answer round.

Process of Finding a topic

Before beginning straight up by researching your topic, there are a couple of things that you might have to take a look into which will help you navigate through the next step (that is researching for your topic). These include:

1. Understanding the event for which you’d be giving the speech

Understanding the event or occasion where you will be giving the speech is important as it would give you a brief idea of what is expected in terms of the content and tone of your speech .

So, for instance, if you are giving a speech at a conference, it would have a more formal tonality to it as compared to a speech that you might present at your best friend’s wedding which would usually be filled with a lot of slang, humor, and casual tone.

2. Understanding your audience

The next thing you should try to find a little more clarity on is your possible audience. Understanding who the majority of your audience will comprise will help you in finding a topic that would be more in line with their broad interest, thus attracting them to listen to your speech right from the very beginning .

3. Your interests and knowledge

Yet another thing that you must take into consideration besides what the event and audience expect from you is your interest in the topic. Having a tad bit of understanding of the speech topic you would want to dive into can also help you in navigating through your research better.

4. Your purpose for giving the speech

Establish your purpose for giving the speech even before you start researching. The reason is very simple, you’d be able to understand which kind of a topic you should focus on depending on the purpose of your speech.

Do you plan on providing the audience with detailed information on the topic? Or are you trying to sell your view or product to the audience within these 2 minutes?

In both cases, your topic, as well as the structure of speech, would be very different.

Once you have an idea of your audience, your interests, and your knowledge areas, you can then move on to researching your topic.

A simple google search can be a good starting point.

Take the help of news articles, journals, blogs, and much more to narrow down and come up with a 2-minute speech topic that you feel most excited about!

Selecting a 2-minute speech topic from the internet

A-z list of 2-minute speech topics, find some of the best 2-minute speech topics here:.

  • Abortion: Should the government have a say in it?
  • Art:  A mode of storytelling
  • A day in the life of a (add your profession, organization, or ethnicity)
  • Artificial intelligence: a boon or a curse?
  • Art and Craft: a lost activity
  • Benefits of Yoga
  • Benefits of meditation
  • Ban on Animal testing
  • Bullying and how to discourage it
  • Buildings and Aesthetics: An architectural standpoint
  • Chronic Depression and its cure
  • Cults: The secrets you know nothing about
  • Cultural difference: The harsh reality of moving abroad
  • Corruption: the hidden dirt
  • Cricket: sport turned into a religion
  • Climate Change
  • Disaster Management
  • Domino effect in real life
  • Demonetization in India
  • Dance therapy and its uses
  • Dealing with daily hassles of life
  • Environmental pollution and its adverse effects
  • Education system of India
  • Election ethics and rules
  • Elocutions: Everything you need to know
  • Everything we know about aliens
  • FOMO (Fear of missing out) and how to deal with it
  • Falling in your dreams: the meaning behind it
  • Fat loss fads you must avoid
  • Fitness and influencing
  • Forced labor: An unfortunate reality
  • Girl Education: The inspiring story of Malala
  • Generation gap and how it affects communication
  • Gender sensitization and ways of being more aware of it
  • Growing a terrace garden
  • Gaining muscles: everything you need to know
  • Health and Hygiene: Two underrated
  • Hacks to do well in your academics
  • Habits that are ruining your health
  • Hollywood: An insight into the world of glamour
  • Hitchhiking your way to find peace
  • Importance of reading
  • Importance of following a routine
  • Importance of kindness
  • Importance of education
  • Importance of sports
  • The language barrier and how to overcome it
  • Loyalty: An endangered quality?
  • Land Pollution and ways to deal with it
  • Less is more: All about Minimalism
  • Legalization of marijuana: An opinion
  • Moral Policing: is it ethical?
  • Memorizing speeches and their disadvantages
  • Making friends as adults
  • Manifestation: A belief or a joke?
  • Millennials: generation of environmental advocates
  • Mental health
  • Music and its power to heal
  • Media and its effects on forming opinions
  • My role models
  • Noise pollution
  • National integration
  • Natural resources: A tragedy of depleting future
  • Negating minorities and their impact on the overall development of the country
  • Natural disasters: Can we tackle them?
  • Online dating and its effects on self-esteem
  • Online education and its authenticity
  • Overcoming fear through exposure therapy
  • Olympics 2021
  • Organ donation: Progress made so far
  • Our Environment, our responsibility
  • Pros and cons of being a vegetarian
  • Political ideologies that shook the world
  • Poor scores and their effect on the success
  • Parenting styles over the years
  • Paternal leaves in Indian organizations
  • Poverty in India
  • Positive thinking and gratitude
  • Punctuality: Through the eyes of different cultures
  • Quarantine and increase in social anxiety among people
  • Qualifying for Olympics: Struggle unspoken of
  • Quran and its teachings
  • Questionnaire: The best way of collecting data?
  • Questioning and its importance in the workspace
  • Racism:  An unfortunate view in the society
  • Right to education
  • Religion vs Spirituality
  • Reasons why failure is important
  • The reality of fast-food brands
  • Should body-shaming be a punishable offense?
  • Sneaker trends that would blow your mind
  • Sustainable fashion brands to follow
  • Shaping perspectives through conformity
  • Time management: A necessary corporate skill
  • Travel and tourism: A Course
  • Technology and its growing importance in everyday life
  • Tourism in India
  • The best day of my life
  • Unity: A quality that formed countries
  • Unity in Diversity in India
  • Unemployment and its impact on the mental health of the youth
  • Understanding climate change
  • Understanding the importance of compounding
  • Value of Education
  • Value of Hard work
  • Value of Discipline
  • Videogames and their influence on violent behavior
  • Viral: A trend or a tragic accident?
  • Which is better: Studying in the country or moving abroad?
  • What does sustainability mean?
  • What is the Bermuda triangle?
  • Water pollution and its solutions
  • Waste management around the world
  • World peace: An idea that is achievable or too far-fetched?
  • Xenotransplantation: Future of organ transplantation
  • Xerox: A brand or name for photocopy
  • Xbox and its evolution over the years
  • X-rays and how it harms the human body

2-minute speech topics for students

What are the best topics for students.

If you have asked yourself this question but haven’t received an answer yet, check out the list below to find one now!

  • Opinion on the New education policy
  • Need for sex education in schools
  • Overcoming the problem of Brain Drain
  • Addressing the issue of child labor
  • Pros and cons of online degrees
  • Boarding school vs full-time schools
  • Co-ed school vs gender-specific schools
  • Liberty to choose your subjects in schools
  • Ban on uniforms
  • Curbing school shootings
  • Grading system: Changes required.
  • Peer pressure and the need to fit in
  • Coping with academic stress
  • Are scores a good measure of student’s intelligence?
  • Importance of focusing on extracurricular activities

2-minute speech topics for MBA students

  • Advantages of cloud kitchens
  • Importance of understanding the market
  • Best marketing strategy
  • Hard work vs smart work
  • The rise of entrepreneurship in India
  • Importance of internships in skills building
  • Reservation system: My honest pinion
  • Pros and cons of working from home
  • Everything about GST you don’t know of
  • Stocks or Cryptocurrencies?
  • Using reels to market products
  • Understanding the importance of influencer marketing
  • Assessing job satisfaction among employees
  • Biggest banking frauds in the world
  •  How movies influence fashion trends
  • The insane E-commerce discounts
  • Women in Business
  • Why age is just a number when it comes to entrepreneurship
  • Management lessons from mythology
  • Make in India or Make for India?

Speech topics for adults

  • Are first impressions really the most lasting impressions?
  • Importance of observing in everyday life
  • Conforming vs standing out: What should you prefer?
  • Impact of positive thinking in healing chronic diseases
  • Importance of body language in public speaking
  • Is buying luxury goods on a loan worth it?
  • Why renting a house is better than buying it
  • Why timetables never work
  • How do colors affect the way we feel?
  • How your brains are wired to think negatively
  • Impact of childhood trauma on antisocial behaviors
  • Love: Difference between what is real and reel
  • Why being young is overrated
  • Are you a victim of the fashion industry?
  • How to easily start a conversation
  • Savings in college could help you in your 40s
  • Being happy all the time is an unachievable reality
  • The advantages of taking calculated risks
  • Dealing with stress on a daily basis
  • How do you overcome obstacles?

2-minute speech topics for the Interview

  • Understanding the future of the metaverse
  • Hard work leads to smart work
  • Effect of job satisfaction on life satisfaction
  • How to motivate the employees in no time
  • Gender Equality in the Workplace
  • How to get over stage fright?
  • How to give a speech in an interview?
  • How organizational culture affects motivation?
  • Management strategies that can help in improving productivity
  • Ways to essentially decrease production costs

Funny 2-minute speech topics

  • Why I would rather go to jail than clean utensils
  • If I could live my cat’s life for a day
  • The most profitable mistake I ever made
  • Tutorial on how to deny reality
  • Tips on walking your dog
  • Why you must never eat fish food
  • Things you can do to irritate someone
  • Evolution of my new year’s resolutions
  • Adulting and falling in love with the idea of arranged marriages
  • Dating in 2022

2-minute speech topics on any proverb

  • Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder
  • Actions speak louder than words
  • Health is wealth
  • Joy of giving
  • Don’t judge a book by its cover
  • Knowledge is power
  • Laughter is the best medicine
  • Action speaks louder than words.
  • A jack of all trades is a master of none.
  • A good listener is a silent flatterer.
  • All that glitters is not gold.
  • Among the blind, the one-eyed man is the king.
  • An idle brain is the devil’s workshop.
  • As you sow, so you shall reap.
  • What goes around comes back around.
  • Curiosity killed the cat.
  • Time is money.

Unique speech topics

  • The tragedy of not being on social media
  • Importance of taking a drop year
  • Are scholarships always fair?
  • Reasons teenagers start substance abuse
  • Places on earth no man has ever been
  • The most surveillance city in the world
  • Why euthanasia is justified
  • Formal schooling is important despite not being practical
  • If the earth stopped rotating for a split second
  • Benefits of boiling water

2-minute speech topics on famous personalities

  • Mahatma Gandhi
  • William Shakespeare
  • Rabindranath Tagore
  • Nelson Mandela
  • Barack Obama
  • A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
  • Virat Kohli
  • Jawaharlal Nehru
  • Winston Churchill
  • Abraham Lincoln

Once you have decided on your topic for the speech, the next step is to come up with the speech itself or the script.

For this, you’ll have to understand the approx number of words you will be comfortable adding to your speech so as to not exceed the time limit of 2-minutes.

Next, you can go about the usual “ introduction, main body, and conclusion ” structure for structuring your script.

It isn’t necessary for you to frame the entire speech word for word, you can also frame it in a pointer format if that is more convenient for you.

Person giving speech

How do you start a 2-minute speech?

As there isn’t much time in your hand, presenting detailed opening lines for a 2-minute speech would mean that you would have to cut down on your main content.

Instead, you can start by giving a very quick introduction like “Hi I am Nisha and I will be talking about the adverse effects of sleep deprivation today with you.”

You can also use other more fun and engaging ways to begin your speech and there are tons of ways you can do it. Check out the list below to find examples of a few:

1. Rhetorical questions

Rhetorical questions are questions wherein you want to provoke the audience to think and not to come up with any specific answer . An example of the same is given below.

So from a glance, do I look like marriage material? Nina Donovan

Jokes and humor are almost always appreciated by the audience provided it isn’t even slightly derogatory or demeaning to anyone. Opening your 2-minute speech with a joke can in fact be a good attention grabber that would also not take up a lot of your speech time .

Example of a joke used as an opening line:

Do you know when brown kids get slapped? Every brown birthday party. Hasan Minhaj

3. Statistics or figures

What is the best way to make someone understand the reality of any situation you ask? Figures, numbers, or stats!

Because when the audience sees the number in front of them, they can no longer be in denial or in their own world of assumptions. Hence, using statistics in your opening lines would definitely help you reach your goal of spreading awareness (if that is what your purpose is).

Suicide happens to be one of the leading causes of death in United states with approximately one indivdiual dying to suicide every 11 minutes. The question is why are we still overlooking this grave issue?

To know more about effective opening lines, check out our post on 50 speech opening lines .

Following your brief introduction, as you dive into your topic, there are a couple of things that you must keep in your mind, they are:

  • Stick to only one takeaway . Having many takeaways might not help you effectively reach the audience.
  • Try to add short stories only if you plan on adding a story to your speech. Make sure that it isn’t taking up a huge chunk of your speech time.

How do you end your 2-minute speech?

In short speeches, your ending or conclusion is very important. It needs to be impactful. You can either summarize your speech in a couple of seconds or you can re-establish your takeaway at this point in your speech. You can try to end with a powerful quote or try to motivate your audience to take some action .

An example of asking the audience to take an action is,

“So as we reach the end of the speech on effects of sleep deprivation, I’d want you to go back home and think to yourself, is browsing for  a couple of more minutes really necessary over your precious sleep?”

To take a deeper look into the closing lines for your speech, check out our video below!

2-minute speech on Brain Drain

Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadela, Leena Nair, and Paraag Agarwal what do they all have in common?

You probably guessed it right! They are the CEOs of some of the biggest companies in the world but there is yet another commonality that they have. They are all Indian Origin CEOs who gained their initial education from some of the top colleges in India to hold such exceptional positions in world-renowned companies now. 

If this isn’t a good example of brain drain, I’m not sure what is. Brain drains, a concept that is very common to Indians when we lose some of the smartest people of our country to better opportunities abroad. These companies not only offer the individuals with better work ethos and environment but also provide them with a handsome paycheck and add to that the amount of appreciation they receive for the work they chip in. Something that is either too rare or alien to the Indian work environment. 

But the scenario in India is changing. With the coming of start-up culture in India where the employees are given just as much priority as the company’s clients If the companies encourage such open and collaborative culture where there is a fair opportunity for growth provided to all the employees, we might be able to see some considerable fall in the problem of brain drain in India.

Importance of education 2-minute speech

Do you remember how in school they asked us to prove whether the two figures were triangles when you could easily have concluded that they indeed were triangles just by looking at them?

So then why do we say that education is important?

For starters, to be able to live a decent life, the basic requirement for any job is for you to possess at least a diploma or degree. Apart from the theoretical learning that we get through education, there are plenty of other skills and experiences we are exposed to like broadening our perspective by interacting with peers, enhancing public speaking skills, understanding the basics of how the world functions are it the laws and rights that the individual possesses or the understanding of geographical division and economic conditions in the society. Education helps in enhancing the capacities, attitudes, interests, urges, and needs of the individual. And hence when the student or individual is deprived of education, it isn’t just the theoretical knowledge that they miss out on but they also miss out on having a holistic development of themselves. This is what makes education very important in everyone’s life.

Level up your public speaking in 15 minutes!

Get the exclusive Masterclass video delivered to your inbox to see immediate speaking results.

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

Final Words

2-minute speeches are short and crisp which can serve as a blessing as you are not required to go too much into detail. You can come up with a 2- minute speech topic either by researching one that fits perfectly with your interests or you can find one online.

The idea is to enjoy giving the speech. And for you to enjoy delivering your speech, it is important for you to first come up with something that excites you and interests you!

Keep following Frantically Speaking for more such short guides to help you with your public speaking and communication skills.

Hrideep Barot

Enroll in our transformative 1:1 Coaching Program

Schedule a call with our expert communication coach to know if this program would be the right fit for you

how many words is a 2 minute presentation

7 Keys to Emcee Like a Pro: Unlock Your Hosting Potential

control noise while speaking

8 Ways to Rise Above the Noise to Communicate Better

how to negotiate

How to Negotiate: The Art of Getting What You Want

how many words is a 2 minute presentation

Get our latest tips and tricks in your inbox always

Copyright © 2023 Frantically Speaking All rights reserved

Kindly drop your contact details so that we can arrange call back

Select Country Afghanistan Albania Algeria AmericanSamoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Colombia Comoros Congo Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Honduras Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Rwanda Samoa San Marino Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Tajikistan Thailand Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Wallis and Futuna Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe land Islands Antarctica Bolivia, Plurinational State of Brunei Darussalam Cocos (Keeling) Islands Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Cote d'Ivoire Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Guernsey Holy See (Vatican City State) Hong Kong Iran, Islamic Republic of Isle of Man Jersey Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Lao People's Democratic Republic Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Macao Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Mozambique Palestinian Territory, Occupied Pitcairn Réunion Russia Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan Da Cunha Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Sao Tome and Principe Somalia Svalbard and Jan Mayen Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tanzania, United Republic of Timor-Leste Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S.

how many words is a 2 minute presentation

Debatrix International

Speech calculator:  how long does it take to deliver your speech?

With this speech calculator, you can easily calculate how long it will take you to deliver a speech.

How many words per minute?

In the English language, people speak about 140 words per minute. A fast speaker will get to 170 words per minute, a slow speaker will use around 110 words.

Professional speechwriters use this speech calculator to find out how long a speech takes.

speech calculator

Copy your full text and paste it in the box below:

The entire analysis happens within your browser. The text will NOT be stored and NOT be sent over the web.

Word count:

Your speech rate:

Speech duration:

FAQ’s

How many words is a 3 minute speech  .

A speaker with an average speaking speed will need 420 words for a 3 minute speech. A fast speaker will need 510 words while a slow speaker will only need 330 words.

How many words is a 5 minute speech?  

A speaker with an average speaking speed will need 700 words for a 5 minutes speech. A fast speaker will need 850 words for the same speech length. A slow speaker will only need 550 words.

Is this a word count calculator?  

The speech calculator is a word count calculator. Insert your text and the tool will automatically calculate the word count.  It will then also calculate the speech length depending on the selected talking speed.

How to best select the right speaking speed?

Fast, average or slow? The answer depends on the speaker, the speech type and the speech setting.

The speaking speed of the speaker

Some speakers are natural fast or slow speakers. The best speakers keep a variance during their speeches. They speed up to keep momentum and slow down to put special emphasis on other parts.

The speech type

The type of speech matters a lot in selecting the right speech speed. If you read the whole speech word for word from paper then your average speech speed will be lower. If you intend to use the written speech as speaker notes then your average speaking speed will be much higher.

The speech setting

An informal setting will have a faster average speaking speed compared to a more formal setting.

Keeping all three factors in mind you will able make a better judgement about selecting the right speech speed in the speech calculator.

  • January 2024
  • August 2023
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • Client case
  • Persuasion tip

how many words is a 2 minute presentation

Debatrix is a leading expert in (remote) persuasive communication. Based in Europe, we offer executive coaching, persuasion consulting and trainings on TED-worthy presenting, how to influence and inspire, storytelling, debating, framing and dealing with difficult questions.

We value your privacy

Privacy overview.

how many words is a 2 minute presentation

FPPT

2-Minute Presentation: How to Prepare a Two Minute Speech on Time

Last updated on April 13th, 2024

You might be in a hurry to deliver a two minute presentation or speech, or you might want to prepare a short speech to give as closing remarks at an event. Whatever the case might be, there are several ways by which you can prepare a two-minute speech on time.

1. Write Down Notes or the Full Text on Your Speech

Some people like to use some notes scribbled on a paper to remember the key aspects of the speech, whereas others like to memorize a speech or read it from a paper or teleprompter. Then there are some people who are simply good at delivering a speech without the need of notes or written text. Whichever type of presenter you may be, you would want to know how much time it takes for you to complete your speech. This is why you can write down your notes or the complete text of the speech and read it out to estimate the time.

2. Use a Timer to Calculate the Time

To estimate the time, you can use a timer. If you’re using PowerPoint slides, you can use a number of add-ins and built-in features to time your slides. Here is a list of PowerPoint timers that you can use for this purpose. Knowing how much time it takes you to deliver your speech will help you ensure that you don’t exceed the allocated time, as well as better outline the content that would be most suitable for your audience.

3. Estimate your Words per Minute using a Words to Minutes Tool

You might want to estimate the WPM (Words Per Minute) for your speech and presentation. Some people like to speak slowly to be clear, whereas others might find it more appropriate to be a little quick in delivering their speech. You can estimate the WPM to understand your ability to deliver a speech in terms of the number of words you use each minute. There is also a free handy free tools that helps you convert speech to minutes online . Using this WPM calculator you can estimate things such as how many words is a 3 minute speech, how long to read a speech might it take you or how many words to pages are you using. This can make your time well spent, then you can use a speech calculator or words to minute tool to calculate the number of words per minute.

WPM Calculator example showing the Words to Minute tool.

Alternatively, you can use our article series in which we present an estimate of how many slides to include for a specific presentation length, for example how many slides for a 30 minute presentation in PowerPoint.

4. Add or Remove Content

If your speech is too long or too short, you can add or remove content, as well as use shorter versions of certain explanations to ensure you don’t exceed the time allocated for your speech. For example, in case you wish to give an example of determination and perseverance, you can mention a famous personality that the audience can relate to rather than using a lengthy explanation as to how the aforementioned can lead to success. Similarly, using abbreviations that the audience is acquainted with can help reduce your WPM and help you explain more details in a short period of time.

5. Practice Your Expressions & Body Language

Once you have your speech ready and you have estimated the time it takes to deliver it, you should refine the way you speak to leave a lasting impression on your audience. You can also use a mirror and try to relax and smile to deliver your speech. Practicing with your body language and expressions will help you make your speech more powerful. However, you don’t always need to smile, as some parts of your speech might require showing resolve, whereas other bits might require a more gentle approach. You can practice your expressions to find the right mix.

Practice Expressions and body language for delivering a presentation

The above mentioned tips should help you prepare your speech on time, be it a two minute speech or something much longer. If you have a good tip that our readers can benefit from, share your experience with us by leaving a comment.

You should practice your 3-minute speech as much as possible, until you feel confident enough with the delivery of your presentation. You can try practicing 3 times per day over a course of a week. You can also spread the practice along the day, in the morning, in the afternoon and one more time before end of day.

' src=

About Farshad

IT professional, communications specialist and Blogger!

View other posts by Farshad »

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Sign up to our newsletter

We will send you our curated collections to your email weekly. No spam, promise!

how many words is a 2 minute presentation

words to time logo

Words To Time Converter

Estimate how many minutes your speeches, presentations, and voice-over scripts will take based on your words per minute rate!

Words per Minute: 183

How To Convert Words to Minutes Using This Tool?

If you have a certain number of words or a piece of text you want to time, you can either type in the word count or paste the text into the provided area. This tool will then calculate how long it would take to read that text out loud.

The talk time estimate is calculated using the average speaking speed of adults, which is determined to be 183 words per minute based on scientific studies. If you’re interested in how long it would take to read silently, it’s estimated at 238 words per minute ( This data is also backed by research )

You can adjust the slider to change the words per minute value, which will affect the talk time estimate. However, the silent reading time estimate remains fixed at 238 words per minute. 

For ease of use, we’ve also provided reference points for slow, average, and fast reading rates below the slider.

To begin anew, simply click the ‘clear text’ button to erase the content and restore the slider back to its original setting of 183.

I. Who is This Words to Minutes Converter Tool For?

If you are a student wondering how long is my essay or you’ve been tasked with writing a speech and need to know how many words to aim for and how many minutes will it take to deliver or perhaps you are a podcaster, just starting out, who wants the ability to easily synchronize music and spoken word without having to painstakingly calculate seconds between them, then this words to time converter (or speech time calculator-you may call it if you are a public speaker) is precisely for you! 

From now on, instead of spending long hours in front of the computer trying to figure out how many seconds it takes for one phrase or section of dialogue to end and another to begin, you can let our innovative tool do all the work and convert your text to time quickly and accurately. With this powerful tool at your disposal, whether you’re giving a TED talk or just need to nail a business presentation, your life will become a little bit easier.

So keep reading to learn more about what this fantastic words to minutes converter has in store for public speakers, aspiring students, and professional radio producers alike!

Whether you want to read the text silently or speak aloud, you can use this tool as both:

  • Reading time calculator
  • Talk time calculator

II.I Explanation of the Reading Time

Reading time refers to the duration it takes for an average person to read a written text silently while still comprehending its content. Based on an extensive analysis of 190 studies that involved 18,573 participants , research conducted by Marc Brysbaert in 2019 suggests that the typical silent reading speed for an adult individual is approximately 238 words per minute .

To convert word count to read time for a specific text, you can do so by dividing the total word count of the text by this established value of 238. Here is the mathematical equation for determining the duration of reading time in minutes:

Reading Time = Total Word Count / 238

II.II Explanation of the Speech Time

Speech time refers to the duration it takes for an average person to read a text out loud. Based on data from 77 studies involving 5,965 people , it’s been found that most adults read aloud at a speed of approximately 183 words per minute ( research conducted by Marc Brysbaert in 2019 ). To figure out how long it will take to read a specific piece of text aloud, you can divide the total number of words in the text by this average rate of 183 words per minute.

Of course, it’s important to note that talk time can vary depending on factors such as clarity of speech, pauses for emphasis, and use of visual aids. However, using this tool for converting the number of words to minutes can still provide a helpful guideline for planning and practicing your presentation. By having a better understanding of speech rates, you can ensure that your message is delivered effectively and efficiently.

III. Benefits of Using a Words to Time Converter

Time management in presentations.

Effective time management during presentations is crucial to ensure the audience remains engaged and the information is accurately conveyed. This is where our speaking time converter comes in handy. By using this tool, presenters can easily determine how many words they need to include in their presentation to stay within the allotted time frame.

Not only does it help with time management, but it also ensures that the pacing of the presentation is consistent, making it easier for the audience to follow. With the use of this tool, presenters can confidently deliver their presentations without the worry of running over time or rushing through it.

Estimated speech time for public speaking

Public speaking can be nerve-wracking, especially when you have too little or too much information to fill your time slot. You wonder only if there were an accurate public speaking time calculator available so that you could be able to allocate the appropriate amount of time to each section of your presentation, ensuring that you cover all the necessary points without rushing or going over time. 

Effective pacing is key in ensuring your message is delivered with clarity and impact.

Most public speakers target an average of 130-150 words per minute for their spoken content, meaning you should aim to limit your speaking time to roughly one minute per 130-150 words. While this may take some practice to achieve, the end result is a confident, well-timed delivery that keeps your audience engaged from start to finish.

Remember, in public speaking, less is often more—take your time to breathe and emphasize key points. Your audience will appreciate your thoughtful and measured approach. For that, you can use this tool and adjust your words to speech time.

Accurate estimations for audiobooks and podcasts

As more and more people turn to audiobooks and podcasts for their entertainment and information needs, accurate estimations of listening time have become more important than ever. After all, there’s nothing worse than settling in for a quick listen only to find yourself trapped in a story that goes on for hours longer than you anticipated.

That’s why it’s great to see publishers and podcast producers taking estimated reading time seriously, providing listeners with the information they need to choose the right content for their schedule. Whether you’re looking for a quick listen on your daily commute or a lengthy distraction for a lazy Sunday afternoon, accurate estimations using this speaking time calculator make it easier than ever to find the perfect content.

IV. Some Popular Speech Times

V. conclusion.

As the world becomes more fast-paced, time is a precious commodity. Determining how long your script will take to read, whether for a presentation or a video, can make a significant difference in engaging and retaining your audience’s attention.

That’s where our Words to Time Converter comes in handy. It’s a valuable tool for anyone working in various professions, from broadcast journalists to teachers to executives. No matter the industry, time is of the essence, and knowing how long your speech or presentation will take is crucial for effective communication.

convert words to time .

How long will it take to read a speech or presentation?

Enter the word count into the tool below (or paste in text) to see how many minutes it will take you to read. Estimates number of minutes based on a slow, average, or fast paced reading speed.

Number of words

Reading speed

how many words is a 2 minute presentation

Common conversions (average speed)

Other tools.

Prepared.FYI - Find deals on emergency preparedness, camping, and survival products and equipment 🏕️

Grammarly - Grammar, plagiarism, and spell checker.

Hemingway - Editor to make your writing bold and clear.

Power Thesaurus - Simple crowdsourced thesaurus.

Wake Up Time - Fall asleep and actually wake up refreshed.

Copy Arrow - An organized set for easy copying.

Micron Pens - Amazing pens for writing and illustration.

Block Rocker - Portable event speaker with microphone 🎤

TED Talks - The official TED guide to public speaking.

These tools are awesome, and the affiliate income helps keep the site online.

If you've found this tool helpful, please consider paying it forward to keep it ad free!

As a bonus you'll go down in history listed on one of the coolest sites around :)

Want to learn how to make websites like this?

There's some really cool stuff in the works... Enter your email to be the first to know when it's ready!

Enter your email to be the first to know when some really cool stuff is ready...

Enter your email to be notified of some really cool stuff that's in the works...

SoFi Invest

My name is Spencer, and I actually work here ↑

Looking for the easiest way to grow your business in 2020?

Get more traffic, more sales, and more reviews effortlessly.

Boost your online reviews and become the obvious choice for new customers.

Words to Minutes

Welcome to the "Words to Minutes" tool! This tool allows you to estimate how long it will take you to read a piece of text out loud. Simply enter the number of words in your text and the tool will give you an estimate of the time it will take you to read it.

Speaking Time Calculator

Reading speed

Reading Time:

How words to minutes calculator works.

In this tool, you can convert words to time instantly and tells you how long does it take to read your speech. This tool only shows estimated text time to speak it may be very person by person.

  • Input your speech number of words into box.
  • Select your reading speech generally 130wpm average for most of people but you can change if you are a slow or fast reader.
  • Now you can see estimated time of reading on green color.

Overview of minutes for a speech

(based on average reading speed)

Here are a few tips to help you get the most accurate estimate

  • Read at a natural pace: Don't try to rush through the text or speak too slowly. Just read at a pace that feels comfortable and natural for you.
  • Consider your speaking style: Some people speak more quickly or slowly than others. If you know that you tend to speak at a faster or slower pace than the average person, you may want to adjust the estimate accordingly.
  • Take breaks as needed: If you're reading a long piece of text, it's okay to take breaks to rest your voice. Just remember to factor in any breaks when you're using the tool.

how many words is a 2 minute presentation

Here's the exact moment people will tune out of your presentation and tactics to keep them engaged.

Three ways to keep your audience engaged beyond this cliff.

People get bored fast. That's what scientists have concluded from studies of presentations in different venues, from the classroom to remote meetings.

But exactly how quickly do people lose interest? Thanks to new research, we have an answer. We've also learned proven tactics for keeping the audience's attention.

Stick to the 10-Minute Rule

A recent Finnish study of 380 virtual work meetings showed that remote viewers reported feeling drowsy (and some nearly fell asleep) after just 10 minutes.

If the study were based on participants filling out a survey, I wouldn't cite it here. However, this experiment required people to wear devices that measured their heart rates, and the results were cross-checked with their subjective feedback.

The study reinforces another experiment that University of Washington biology professor John Medina conducts with his students every year, which reaches the same conclusion.

Medina says, "After 9 minutes and 59 seconds, the audience's attention is getting ready to plummet to near zero."

We now know your audience will lose interest in your presentation after 10 minutes. But that raises a problem: Unless it's a pitch competition or a very short check-in, most presentations and meetings (in-person or remote) cover more information than can be delivered in 10 minutes.

So, what can you do about it? Once again, science has an answer.

Create Brain Breaks

As the Finnish researchers studied the data from heart monitors worn by meeting participants, they found something unexpected. People were not getting drowsy because they hadn't had a good night's sleep. They were feeling sleepy after 10 minutes because they were bored.

They were experiencing what researchers call an underload of stimulation.

For example, in the virtual meetings that the scientists studied, "underload may occur due to a lack of physical activity, reduced engagement in discussions, or the monotonous nature of the meetings."

In other words, people need breaks in a presentation--not to rest, but to re-engage.

Re-engagement breaks include:

Physical and mental activity.

Take a break from your slides and give the audience something to do.

In a remote meeting, this could be as simple as having them take a poll or raise their virtual hands to ask questions.

For in-person presentations, break away from the slides after 10 minutes and involve the audience. Now's the time for them to see and touch a product, take a turn at the whiteboard, ask questions, or, if it's a longer training program, stand up from their chairs and break into groups for roundtable discussions.

Introducing another voice.

When someone else begins speaking, it's like starting a new presentation. At least, that's what the brain believes. That's why 90-minute Apple product launches include several speakers in addition to CEO Tim Cook. Cook often introduces a topic to another speaker, who takes no more than five or 10 minutes before handing it back.

For my own keynote presentations, which are typically slated for 45 minutes, I use video clips from famous speeches or presentations to complement my ideas. The video clips are as short as 30 seconds to a minute, but long enough to create a mental break that keeps the audience tuned in.

Sticking to one subject.

Divide your presentation into subject areas and use the 10-minute mark to shift topics.

Imagine you're explaining a new idea to a potential partner or investor. The first thing you might be inclined to do is describe the problem you intend to solve. If that's the case, don't take 12 minutes to explain it. Discuss the problem in under 10 minutes. Then, create a topic break. For example, you can say, "That's the problem no other company has addressed. Until now. Before I reveal our new solution, do you have any questions?"

There are endless ways to divide your presentation, lecture, or training into topic areas, and doing so helps to re-engage your audience's attention. Just do it every 10 minutes or less.

Keeping people glued to your presentation is hard, especially with so many other distractions competing for your viewer's attention. But if you understand the science behind the 10-minute rule, you won't put your audience to sleep. Instead, you'll stand out and leave a positive impression on the people you need to impress.

This post originally appeared at inc.com .

Click here to subscribe to the Inc. newsletter: inc.com/newsletters "

Here's the exact moment people will tune out of your presentation and tactics to keep them engaged.

Drake-Kendrick Lamar Feud Timeline: Another Trespasser Caught At Drake’s Toronto Home, Police Say

  • Share to Facebook
  • Share to Twitter
  • Share to Linkedin

A second trespasser was found outside outside Drake’s Toronto home on Thursday, just one day after an intruder was arrested there, police told multiple news outlets—amid a feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar that has boiled over to include allegations of infidelity, domestic violence, secret children and an affinity for underage women.

Drake appeared to respond to Kendrick Lamar's diss track "Euphoria" in an Instagram Story post ... [+] Wednesday. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

May 9 A trespasser at Drake’s Toronto home was involved in an altercation with security guards around 3:30 p.m. before being taken to the hospital, Toronto Police spokesperson Laura Brabant told Forbes —marking the third incident at Drake’s house in as many days.

May 8 Officers were called to Drake’s property after a person attempted to gain access to the property, and the person was apprehended under Ontario’s mental health act and taken to receive medical assistance, Toronto Police spokesperson Ashley Visser confirmed to Forbes ( CNN reported the incident was not related to Tuesday’s shooting at Drake’s house, citing police).

May 7 Lamar's "Not Like Us" broke a Spotify streaming record to become the most streamed American hip-hip song in a single-day with 6.59 million.

May 7 "Euphoria" by Lamar debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 , with Future’s "Like That" (guest-starring Lamar) at No. 8 and "Push Ups" by Drake at No. 17.

May 7 A security guard was shot outside of Drake's sprawling Toronto estate early Tuesday morning, in what police told CBC was a drive-by shooting—it’s unclear if the shooting was related to the beef between the two artists, though Lamar used a Google Maps image of his rival’s house for the cover of his latest diss track, or if Drake was home at the time (neither artist has reacted publicly to the shooting).

May 5 Drake denied Lamar’s latest claims about his history and flat-out stated “I never been with no one under age” in a Sunday night release called “The Heart Part 6," in which he says he and his team purposefully fed his adversary false information (including about a secret daughter) in the hopes he'd use it in a song: "We plotted for a week and then we fed you the information/A daughter that’s 11 years old, I bet he takes it.”

May 5 Producer Metro Boomin jumped into the beef by releasing a beat called “BBL Drizzy,” and inviting fans to rap over it, offering a free beat to the best song; Drake previously dissed Boomin on “Push Ups” by telling him to “shut up and make some drums.”

May 4 Lamar dropped yet another diss track, his third song in 36 hours, titled “Not Like Us” early Saturday evening in which he alludes to Drake’s alleged affinity for younger women and calls him and people on his team “certified pedophiles.”

May 4 Drake posted an Instagram story denying Lamar’s claim of a secret daughter, writing: “nahhhh hold on can someone find my hidden daughter pls and send her to me.”

May 3 Lamar dropped a second Drake diss track , “ 6:16 in LA ”—likely a play on a format Drake has often used for song titles, including his “8am in Charlotte” and “5am in Toronto”—in which Lamar alleges Drake’s own team is against him, rapping that “everyone inside your team is whispering that you deserve it,” and stating Drake “can't ‘Toosie Slide’ up out of this one,” a reference to his 2020 song.

May 3 Lamar hit back at Drake with “ Meet the Grahams ,” a reference to Drake’s legal name, Aubrey Drake Graham, calling him a “narcissist, misogynist, livin’ inside his songs" and suggesting the star fathered a daughter he has never publicly addressed. (Read more about the two new diss tracks ).

May 3 Drake released a new single “ Family Matters ” Friday night—slamming Lamar’s engagement to longtime partner Whitney Alford and suggesting infidelity within their relationship.

May 2 “Euphoria” jumped from No. 19 to No. 1 on the daily U.S. Spotify chart , while Drake’s “Push Ups” rose from No. 15 to No. 11, marking a big increase in streams for both rappers—Drake ranks No. 2 on the Spotify artists daily chart , while Lamar rose from No. 9 to No. 3, both behind Taylor Swift.

May 1 Drake seemingly responded to Lamar’s diss by posting a clip from the 1999 film “10 Things I Hate About You” on his Instagram story in which Julia Stiles’ character Kat lists all the reasons she hates Heath Ledger’s character Patrick—possibly mirroring a part of “ Euphoria ” where Lamar lists reasons he hates Drake.

April 30 Lamar dropped “ Euphoria ,” a six-minute long diss track in which he lambasts Drake’s biracial identity (suggesting he shouldn’t be able to say the n-word), slams the rapper’s ability as a father and calls Drake a “scam artist,” questioning his authenticity as a rapper.

April 21 Kanye West jumped into the beef on a remix of “ Like That ,” taking shots at Drake’s music and his deal with Universal Music Group, stating he and his collaborators are “ energized ” for the “elimination of Drake.”

April 19 Drake released another diss track, “ Taylor Made Freestyle ,” using AI-generated voices of Snoop Dogg and the late Tupac Shakur to diss Lamar, daring him to respond: “We waitin' on you,” Drake rapped.

April 15 Ross responded to Drake with “ Champagne Moments ,” alleging that Drake had multiple cosmetic procedures done including a nose job and ab surgery, while also accusing him of using ghostwriters (an accusation Drake has repeatedly denied).

April 13 Drake’s response to Lamar, “Push Ups,” leaked online (before its April 19 release), with lyrics slamming Lamar’s shorter stature and his mainstream collaborations with Taylor Swift and Maroon 5, while also dissing other artists including Rick Ross and The Weeknd.

April 7 Just two days after releasing “7 Minute Drill,” J. Cole backed down from the feud, stating he felt pressured to respond because “the world wanna see blood.”

April 5 J. Cole dropped his own Lamar diss track, “ 7 Minute Drill ,” in which he fired “warning shots” at the rapper, accusing him of seeking “attention” and slamming his latest music releases as “tragic.”

March 22 Lamar responded on his verse on Metro Boomin and Future’s song “Like That,” slamming the rappers for “sneak dissing” and rejecting their idea of the “big three,” instead rapping: “It’s just big me.”

Oct. 6, 2023 Drake and J. Cole released collaboration “ First Person Shooter ,” in which J. Cole raps that himself, Drake and Lamar are the “big three” of rap.

Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here .

Rapper Kendrick Lamar performs onstage at Hard Rock Stadium on July 24, 2022.

What To Watch For

Whether Lamar will respond to Drake with a new diss track. Drake hinted on his previous diss tracks that the feud is only just beginning, and Lamar has continued to put out music slamming his adversary. “The first one really only took me an hour or two/ The next one is really 'bout to bring out the coward in you,” Drake rapped on “ Taylor Made Freestyle ,” possibly a nod to future diss tracks. He also rapped on “ Push Ups ” that he’s just “heating up.”

Surprising Fact

Drake’s “Taylor Made Freestyle” is no longer available to stream after Tupac Shakur’s estate threatened legal action for the AI-generated use of his voice. Drake posted the song to his X and Instagram accounts on April 19, but deleted them a week later.

Key Background

Drake and Lamar’s beef spans more than the past decade. The two once had a seemingly friendly relationship, collaborating multiple times between 2011 and 2012. But in 2013, their relationship appeared to change after Lamar featured on Big Sean’s song, “ Control ,” in which he called out Drake and many other rappers, including Pusha T, Mac Miller and A$AP Rocky. “I got love for you all, but I'm tryna murder you,” Lamar rapped, adding he’s “tryna make sure your core fans never heard of you.” Fans have since theorized that the two have taken subtle shots at each other in their raps throughout the years. Some interpreted Lamar’s shots at artists who use ghostwriters in his 2015 song “ King Kunta ” could be a dig at Drake. Fans and observers of Lamar and Drake’s beef have interpreted the feud to be over who could be considered the greatest rapper of today—though a Rolling Stone analysis of their feud noted the two have different strengths and different claims to the title of “greatest” rapper. Lamar has long been known for his critically acclaimed work, including 17 Grammy Award wins and a Pulitzer Prize for his 2017 album, “DAMN.” Drake, meanwhile, is commercially dominant: He was the most-streamed artist of the 2010s on Spotify, and he has the most certified digital singles of any artist, according to the Recording Industry Association of America . "Euphoria" by Lamar debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 on May 7.

Drake, Lamar and other artists involved in the feud have found recent success on the charts, possibly thanks to the publicity offered by the feud. “Like That” has dominated the Billboard Hot 100 since release—it topped the chart for three consecutive weeks and has remained on the chart for six weeks today. “7 Minute Drill” debuted at No. 6 on the Hot 100 after its release, while “Push Ups” debuted at No. 19 (the fifth-highest non-Swift song). Lamar’s “ Euphoria ” was the No. 1 trending video on YouTube one day after release with 8 million views and debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 11. Drake rose from No. 18 to No. 3 the Billboard Artist 100 , which measures the most popular artists in a given week based on sales, streaming and radio airplay numbers.

Further Reading

Kendrick Lamar Is Winning His Rap Battle With Drake—At Least On The Charts (Forbes)

Shooting Outside Drake's Toronto House Leaves Man Seriously Injured (Forbes)

Kendrick Lamar Slams ‘Scam Artist’ Drake In New Diss Track ‘Euphoria’—Latest Chapter In Their Beef (Forbes)

Everyone Involved In The Drake And Kendrick Lamar Beef—As Kanye West Says He’s Energized For The ‘Elimination Of Drake’ (Forbes)

Drake And Rick Ross Beef: What To Know About The Diss Tracks, Nose Job Allegations And ‘BBL Drizzy’ (Forbes)

Drake’s Security Guards Report ‘Altercation’ In Third Incident At His Toronto Home This Week (Forbes)

Conor Murray

  • Editorial Standards
  • Reprints & Permissions

Join The Conversation

One Community. Many Voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts. 

Forbes Community Guidelines

Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space.

In order to do so, please follow the posting rules in our site's  Terms of Service.   We've summarized some of those key rules below. Simply put, keep it civil.

Your post will be rejected if we notice that it seems to contain:

  • False or intentionally out-of-context or misleading information
  • Insults, profanity, incoherent, obscene or inflammatory language or threats of any kind
  • Attacks on the identity of other commenters or the article's author
  • Content that otherwise violates our site's  terms.

User accounts will be blocked if we notice or believe that users are engaged in:

  • Continuous attempts to re-post comments that have been previously moderated/rejected
  • Racist, sexist, homophobic or other discriminatory comments
  • Attempts or tactics that put the site security at risk
  • Actions that otherwise violate our site's  terms.

So, how can you be a power user?

  • Stay on topic and share your insights
  • Feel free to be clear and thoughtful to get your point across
  • ‘Like’ or ‘Dislike’ to show your point of view.
  • Protect your community.
  • Use the report tool to alert us when someone breaks the rules.

Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Please read the full list of posting rules found in our site's  Terms of Service.

COMMENTS

  1. How many words per minute in a speech: a quick reference guide

    How many words are there in a 6-minute speech? If you are a slow speaker less than 720 words. If you speak at an average speed between: 720 - 960 words. If you are a fast speaker between: 960 - 1200 words.

  2. Speech Time Calculator

    Some Popular Speech Times. how many words in a 2 minute speech. Almost 300 words. how many words in a 3 minute speech. Almost 450 words. how many words in a 4 minute speech. Almost 600 words. how many words in a 15 minute speech. Almost 2250 words. The speech time is calculated taking 150 words per minute as reference value. Common conversions ...

  3. Convert Words to Minutes

    Words in a 2 minute speech 260 words. Words in a 3 minute speech 390 words. Words in a 4 minute speech 520 words. Words in a 5 minute speech 650 words. Words in a 10 minute speech 1300 words. Words in a 15 minute speech 1950 words. Words in a 20 minute speech 2600 words. How long does a 500 word speech take? 3.8 minutes.

  4. How Many Words Are in a 2 Minute Long Speech?

    Answer: At the normal speaking rate of 130 words per minute (wpm), a 2 minutes long speech will have about 260 words . Conquer your fear of public speaking. Own your presence. Speech and publication coach Daphne Gray-Grant found that, on average, people speak at a rate of 125 to 150 wpm so a 2 minutes long speech uses between 250 to 300 words ...

  5. Memorable 2-Minute Speeches: How to Write & Deliver (With Examples)

    So for 2-minute speeches, 260-300 words should be sufficient. When it comes to the number of pages for a 2-minute speech, then your speech can be half to one page long. It all depends on the font size that you use! Similarly, the number of sentences that would make up a 2-minute speech can vary depending on the font size that you use or your ...

  6. How to Write a Two Minute Speech: A Step-by-Step Guide

    The Neuron is a daily AI newsletter that tracks the latest AI trends and tools you need to know. Join 400,000+ professionals from top companies like Microsoft, Apple, Salesforce and more. 100% FREE. Have you ever been asked to give a two-minute speech and found yourself struggling to come up with the perfect words?

  7. Speech Time Calculator: Text to Speech Time

    How Many Words Are in a 2-Minute Speech. For a 2-minute speech, assuming an average speaking rate of 125 to 150 words per minute, the estimated word count would be between 250 and 300 words. How Many Words In A 3-Minute Speech. The number of words in a 3-minute speech can vary depending on several factors, mainly your speaking speed and ...

  8. How Many Words is a 2 Minute Speech

    0.9. 16. 1.5. Word Count: 0. 00:00:00. Find out: how many words you need to create a 2-minute speech. Our tool will help you determine how much text you need.

  9. Interactive Speaking Time Calculator

    There are 300 words per minute in a 2 minute speech. 2 minutes isn't a long time so when you speak, you could endure the average speaking rate. How many words are there in a 3 minute speech? On average there are 450 words in a 3 minute speech. This is based on the average speech rate of 250 words per minute.

  10. How Many Words Should Be in My Speech? (Based on Number of Minutes

    10-minute speech: 1250 - 2000 words. 15-minute speech: 1875 - 3000 words. 20-minute speech: 2500 - 4000 words. 30-minute speech: 3750 - 6000 words. 45-minute speech: 5625 - 9000 words. 60-minute (or 1-hour) speech: 7500 - 12000 words. For intermediate minutes, you can use the average rate of 125-200 wpm to estimate.

  11. Free Online Words to Minutes Calculator

    Speech in Minutes. This is a free-to-use speech calculator to measure how long it takes to deliver your speech. To use this tool, you need to enter the word count and choose the reading speed: from slow (100 words per minute) to fast (160 words per minute). No registration is needed. 2.

  12. How many words in 2 minutes?

    Slow Speaking Rate. If you speak slowly, you'll typically use about 110 words per minute. For a 2 minute speech, you'd need approximately 220 words. This pace is suitable for speeches where clarity and comprehension are crucial.

  13. Guide to Speaking Rates: How Many Words Per Minute Should Your Speech

    For TED Talks, aim for around 163 words per minute to keep things interesting. Political speeches should be slower, at about 110-120 words per minute, to add weight to your words. Business presentations work best at a pace of about 140 words per minute. Your speaking rate can vary because of many reasons like where you're from, how excited ...

  14. Convert Words to Minutes

    Use the calculator below to convert your words to minutes. 1) Enter the number of words your speech is. 2) Choose your speaking style/speed 3) Find your speech length. 0 Minutes. The following table below provides an indication of the minutes for a speech (based on an average reading speed of 125 words per minute): How many words are in 1 ...

  15. Convert Words to Time

    19.2 minutes. How long does it take to read 3900 words? 30 minutes. How long does it take to read 7800 words? 60 minutes. Speech length calculator. Enter the word count of your speech to see how long it will take you to read. Estimate the number of minutes based on a slow, average, or fast speaking pace.

  16. Powerful 2 Minute Speech Topics: A-Z Guide (With 200+ Examples)

    What is a 2-minute speech? 2-minute speeches are short and crisp speeches of about 260-350 words. Because 2-minute speeches are short, you can be assured of having constant attention from your audience. This means that you might have to come up with a 2-minute speech topic that is not only informative and interesting but one that stands out and ...

  17. Speech calculator: how long does your speech take?

    In the English language, people speak about 140 words per minute. A fast speaker will get to 170 words per minute, a slow speaker will use around 110 words. Professional speechwriters use this speech calculator to find out how long a speech takes. Copy your full text and paste it in the box below:

  18. Average Speaking Rate and Words per Minute

    When we were calculating the length of the presentation, we included time when the audience was clapping and when the presenter changed slides. We tried to pick from a wide range of speech topics to get an unbiased average. The average speaking rate was 173 words per minute. The speaking rate ranged from 154 to 201 words per minute.

  19. The 2-Minute Rule for Effective Presentations

    Here's how you can apply the 2-Minute Rule for effective #presentations : Start with a Strong Opening (0-15 seconds): Capture your #audience 's attention right from the beginning. Use a compelling ...

  20. 2-Minute Presentation: How to Prepare a Two Minute Speech on Time

    Last updated on April 13th, 2024. You might be in a hurry to deliver a two minute presentation or speech, or you might want to prepare a short speech to give as closing remarks at an event. Whatever the case might be, there are several ways by which you can prepare a two-minute speech on time. 1. Write Down Notes or the Full Text on Your Speech.

  21. Words To Time

    Almost 450 words: how many words in a 4 minute speech: Almost 600 words: how many words in a 15 minute speech: Almost 2250 words: The speech time is calculated taking 150 words per minute as reference value. V. Conclusion. As the world becomes more fast-paced, time is a precious commodity. Determining how long your script will take to read ...

  22. Convert Words to Time

    Quickly convert the number of words in a talk, presentation, or speech to how many minutes it will take to read. convert ... to see how many minutes it will take you to read. Estimates number of minutes based on a slow, average, or fast paced reading speed. Number of words...or paste in text from your document for auto-counting. Reading speed ...

  23. Words to Minutes Calculator

    how long is a 2 minute speech: 260 words. how long is a 3 minute speech: 390 words. how long is a 4 minute speech: 520 words. how long is a 5 minute speech: 650 words. how long is a 10 minute speech: 1300 words. how long is a 20 minute speech: 2600 words. how long does it take to read 200 words: 1.5 minutes.

  24. Here's the exact moment people will tune out of your presentation ...

    Medina says, "After 9 minutes and 59 seconds, the audience's attention is getting ready to plummet to near zero." We now know your audience will lose interest in your presentation after 10 minutes ...

  25. GEN-Z ACCOUNTANTS: Redefining Traditional Accounting Practices

    Join us at 6 PM (WAT) this Thursday May 9, 2024, as our distinguish guest will be discussing the topic: GEN-Z ACCOUNTANTS: Redefining Traditional...

  26. A Plan to Remake the Middle East

    This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this ...

  27. Quiet End of Week for Trump Trial as Cohen Looms as Witness

    Prosecutors said they could rest their case as soon as Thursday, and the judge asked them to keep Michael D. Cohen, expected to take the stand on Monday, from attacking Donald J. Trump in the ...

  28. Day 12 of Trump New York hush money trial

    Former President Donald Trump's hush money trial continues in New York. Follow here for the latest live news updates, analysis and more.

  29. Drake-Kendrick Lamar Feud Timeline: Another Trespasser Caught ...

    April 30 Lamar dropped "Euphoria," a six-minute long diss track in which he lambasts Drake's biracial identity (suggesting he shouldn't be able to say the n-word), slams the rapper's ...