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• 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?     

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.)

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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

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Average Speaking Rate and Words per Minute

November 8, 2022 - Dom Barnard

The speed at which you talk has a huge influence on how the audience perceives you and your speech. It’s important, therefore, to understand your speaking rate and how to alter it depending on the type of speech you are delivering.

In this article, you’ll learn how to calculate your speaking rate and how it compares to the average rate for popular talks to give you some context. Audio samples of speaking rates at the extremes are provided, so you can understand the difference in words per minute.

At the end of the article, exercises are provided to help you develop an adaptive speaking rate.

How to calculate your speaking rate

Speaking rate is often expressed in words per minute (wpm). To calculate this value, you’ll need to record yourself talking for a few minutes and then add up the number of words in your speech. Divide the total number of words by the number of minutes your speech took.

Speaking rate (wpm) = total words / number of minutes

You can record yourself with this  online voice recorder . Once you have the audio of your speech, there are two ways to get the number of words:

• Manually count the words as you listen back to the audio
• Upload the speech recording to a  speech-to-text platform

When you have the speech converted to text format, copy the text into a software package such as Microsoft Word, which provides a useful word count for the document.

Once you have the number of words, convert the time to minutes – for example, if your speech was 4 minutes 30 seconds, you need to divide the number of words by 4.5 (as 30 seconds is half of a minute).

John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address, where he slowed his usually very high speaking rate down to below 100 wpm (his average was well above 150 wpm).

What is the average speaking rate?

The average speaking rate changes dramatically for the purpose of your speech. According to the National Center for Voice and Speech, the average conversation rate for English speakers in the United States is about  150 wpm . However, for radio presenters or podcasters, the wpm is higher.

Here is a list of average speech rates for different activities.

Average speech rates

• Presentations : between 100-150 wpm for a comfortable pace
• Conversational : between 120-150 wpm
• Audiobooks : between 150-160 wpm, which is the upper range that people comfortably hear and vocalize words
• Radio hosts and podcasters : between 150-160 wpm
• Auctioneers : can speak at about 250 wpm
• Commentators : between 250-400 wpm

To give these speech rates some context, if the speaking pace is 130 words per minute, you’ll finish reading an A4 page (Calibri, font size 11) in 4 minutes, 51 seconds.

Extremes of speaking rate – world record pace

Steven Woodmore  is a British electronics salesman and comedian known for his rapid speech articulation, being able to articulate 637 wpm, a speed four times faster than the average person.

Woodmore was listed by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s fastest talker, a title which he held for five years, taking the helm from the previous record holder, John Moschitta, Jr.

A comparison of words per minute for popular TED Talks

Let’s compare different presentation styles to show you how speech rates can vary widely. We’ll use popular TED Talks to compare words per minute for different presentations.

We’ve analyzed five TED Talks, ranging from short speeches up to 22 minutes. 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.

Popular TED Talk speaking rates

• How great leaders inspire action (Simon Sinek) – 170 wpm
• The power of introverts (Susan Cain) – 176 wpm
• Do schools kill creativity? (Sir Ken Robinson) – 165 wpm
• Why we do what we do (Tony Robbins) – 201 wpm
• The power of vulnerability (Brené Brown) – 154 wpm

What influences your overall speaking rate?

Here are several factors that affect the overall speaking rate, most of which can be controlled by you.

• Regular speaking rate  – this is the result of your environment, where you grew up, your parents, culture, friends around you, and more.
• Nervousness  – you’ve probably noticed it yourself,  when you are nervous , you speak much quicker and take short shallow breaths as you rush through the content.
• Saying something urgent  – understandably, we speak much quicker when there is an emergency, for example calling an ambulance or explaining an incident to the police.
• Mental fatigue  – tiredness affects our thought process, making it harder for us to articulate ourselves, causing us to talk more slowly.
• Complexity of the words  – longer, more complex words will take slightly longer to say, and if you are counting words per minute, it will affect speech pace slightly (although somewhat negligible)
• Complexity of content  – if you are presenting complex content, you’ll want to speak slower than usual to give the audience time to comprehend the concepts and content.
• Verbal pauses  – pauses are a great way to break up the content and give emphasis to what you are saying. Naturally this will slow down your speaking rate. Read  10 Effective Ways to use Pauses in your Speech .
• Event driven pauses  – these are pauses caused by a change in slides, a demo of your product, checking your notes, and so on.
• Audience driven pauses  – these events are caused by your audience, for example, when they laugh and ask questions.

Example audio clips of different speech rates

Example 1 – why we do what we do (tony robbins).

Sample of ‘Why we do what we do’ speech, spoken at 201 wpm.

Example 2 – We Shall Fight on the Beaches (Winston Churchill)

Sample of ‘We Shall Fight on the Beaches’ speech, spoken at 128 wpm.

Tony Robbins giving his TED Talk, Why we do what we do, with an average speaking pace of 201 wpm.

Is speaking rate important?

In short, yes, your rate of speech does have an impact on how the audience perceive you and your message.

Generally, a slower rate is easier to understand for the audience. If you include pauses as well, you give the audience time to absorb the messages of your presentation.

However listening back to the Tony Robbins speech above, which was at over 200 wpm, you’ll probably find you were still able to understand what he was saying. This is because he clearly articulates his words and uses easy to understand language. Clarity is just as important as speech pace.

Try to vary your speaking rate

No matter what your average speaking rate is over the entire speech, you should vary it throughout the speech. Varying your speech makes it more interesting for the audience and adds emotion to the content. Without pace variation, you’re in danger of sounding monotone.

For example, you can speak faster to convey excitement, or slower to reflect sadness or importance.

When to change your speed

• Speaking fast  – indication of passion, urgency, excitement, and emotion
• Speaking slow  – indication of importance, sadness, confusion, the seriousness of a point

When you’re speaking quickly, initially it is exciting for the audience, but after a minute or two, it stops being stimulating and becomes overwhelming.

When you are speaking slowly, it can grab the attention of the audience and help them process every word, but an entire talk at a slow pace will bore your audience: while waiting for you to get to the point they will lose interest.

Remember: The rate we speak at is highly individual

This is an important point to remember. If you take some well-known speeches and change the pace of their delivery, the meaning would be lost. For example, the “ I Have a Dream ” by Martin Luther King was spoken at a slow rate.

The long pauses and carefully spoken words give us time to absorb the information and plenty of time for the audience to applaud throughout. Even if you did not understand the words, the slow pace indicates that the message is important and should be taken seriously.

Cultural differences

Culture plays a big role in the pace we naturally speak at. Even locations within the  same country  can make a difference – people in London typically speak faster than people from Yorkshire for example. Also, if English isn’t the speakers first language, they usually speak a little slower as well.

How to practice: Getting the right speaking pace

Test your speaking pace.

Practice reading a transcript aloud at different paces to better understand how different speeds sound. Learn More

Here are two ways to measure and practice your speaking pace.

Use a metronome

The metronome ticks at a certain rate depending on what you set it to. If you want to speak at 130 words per minute, set the metronome to this value and practice saying a word every tick of the metronome.

This is a good start, however when actually presenting to an audience, you’ll want to vary this pace to emphasise certain points – a speech at exactly 130 wpm throughout would sound very monotone and rehearsed.

Use practice exercises

Online exercises let you practice your speech in a variety of scenarios. Practice presenting at a conference, delivering a sales pitch, answering interview questions, and more. With  VirtualSpeech practice exercises , you can get feedback on your speaking rate after your speech and adjust it accordingly for your next speech.

Example practice exercises you can use to measure your speaking pace during a speech or presentation. See all the  practice exercises here .

5 exercises to develop an adaptive speaking rate

Tips taken from  Quick & easy tips for speaking rate

1. Reading children’s stories

Read a children’s story silently several times to familiarize yourself with the flow. Go through it again, noting which passages would suit taking more quickly and which should be slower. Then read it aloud and listen carefully to how speed alters interpretation. Repeat the exercise altering your speed over particular passages, noting the differences.

Record yourself if possible doing this and all the following exercises. Save all the versions you do. You’ll then have them to refer back to. Recording takes out the guess work as you can hear exactly what you did, rather than what you imagined you did. It doesn’t lie!

2. Read factual reports

Pick an information loaded report from a newspaper or magazine.

Go through it silently to familiarize yourself with the flow of material and then read it aloud. Make a note of which passages need careful or slow reading and which can be taken at a faster rate. Re-read aloud until you feel you have the mix of speeds right.

As an extension exercise, read the report as if you were reading for an audience who knew nothing about the subject. Note what changes you made and why.

3. Experiment with one of your own speeches

Record and time yourself delivering a speech of your own at your current ‘normal’ speaking rate.

Note the time down. Now go through again having marked passages for slower or faster treatment. Note the new time and your new insights.

4. Listen to good speakers

Listen to speakers you admire. They could be radio presenters,  commencement speeches , anybody accustomed to speaking in public. Note the different rates of speech they use over the course of their presentation and the effectiveness and experiment with them for yourself.

5. Play with material you are familiar with

Read or recite part of a text you know well quickly (or slowly). If you can record yourself, do so. If not, listen and note the effect it has on you. If you’ve recorded yourself, play it back.

Ask yourself where was the speed effective? Where was it detrimental? Mark those places on your script. Read again incorporating your changes.

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.

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.

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Average Words Per Minute Speaking (15 Experts Examples)

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What is the average words per minute speaking rate?

According to the National Center for Voice and Speech , the average rate for English speakers in the US is about 150 wpm. The average speaking rate can change for your project. Especially some professionals are known to speak faster purposeful ly.

Average words per minute speaking rates vary for different jobs and projects:

As you can see, presentations and conversational word per minute rates are lower. Those are situations where we care deeply about being understood. But also we have pauses and body language to capture the attention. 

Ebook publishers recommend the 150-160 wpm, which is close to the maximum speaking rate that also ensures full comprehension. 

150-160 words per minute (WPM) is also recommended for podcasts, radio hosts, and even YouTubers. This should be average for an entire show, while some of the passages should use a faster speaking rate while others slower. A smart adjustment will break the monotony and increase listener engagement.

On the fastest spectrum, there are auctioneers and commentators. Their job is to increase the hype, convey passion, and trigger a lot of emotions. 

We also cover the topic of how fast should you talk on a recording in this podcast episode:

Examples of average words per minute speaking rates by public figures

Analyzing transcripts of great and popular TED talks given by public figures, we checked how fast they talk. Talks are linked so you can check them, and they cover a variety of topics.

For these 14 talks, the average speaking rate is 167 words per minute. 

The Steve Jobs talk was not delivered as part of a TED conference, but it is included on the TED website. Above all, it is an excellent example of attention capturing and message delivery.

The fastest talker on the list, Tony Robbins, still delivers his message with clarity, and we can understand what he is saying. He achieves this by clearly articulating his words and using a simple language. His clarity compensates for his speed.

Your’ words per minute speaking rate should be perfectly adjusted to how fast people can listen and comprehend. If it is going to be too fast, you are going to lose a listener. If you are going to be too slow, their thoughts will drift away. The words per minute rate on your project should be just right.

The obvious question now is what is the “right” work per minute rate. In this article, we will discuss statistics, real-life examples, and present recommendations for making the most engaging recording.

Most people can talk quite fast when needed. Stress and other factors also can make us speed up. But it is essential to focus and slow down to speak perfectly for our audience. But always speaking at the same rate can also be too monotonous.

Can you control how fast we speak?

Definitely yes. According to professional speech coach Joan Detz:

“President John F. Kennedy was a notoriously fast talker – often topping 200 words per minute. You certainly don’t want to be that extreme. But, in general, talking a bit fast is better than talking too slow. Why? Speed projects charisma. Slowness projects lethargy and can frustrate listeners.” – “It’s Not What You Say, It’s How You Say It.”

But for his most famous speech, his 1961 Inaugural Address, he slowed down significantly. He slowed his usually high speaking rate down to below 100 wpm. JFK projected command, vigor, and charisma. 

He achieved this using short sentences and action words. He had a focused message and he coveying it in an active voice.

JFK’s words per minute count was “Just Right” for the moment and the audience. Being this a live speech, he had some tools we don’t. He could pause, use facial expressions and body language, and keep attention focused on him. 

We can’t do this effectively during a voice-over, but there are methods to capture attention and reach optimal words per minute.

Is the average words per minute speaking rate important?

In short, yes, it is very important. Your rate of speech has an impact on how the audience perceives you and your message.

The speed of our speech affects comprehension, clarity, and customer experience.

• Comprehension is essential if you want your audio to be satisfying to your listeners and, most importantly if you genuinely want to help them. Working on improving your comprehension ensures that people that came looking for your show will find the answers quickly and won’t have to search the web for better and more valuable materials.
• With clarity , you increase your listeners’ focus, and you can help them learn and get a better result with your call to action. Clarity will allow you to get rid of the filler words. It keeps you focused on the topic. You will quickly cut away the redundant materials. 
• Customer experience will get you more good reviews, recommendations, and sales in the long run. 

When you nail your target WPM, you will start improving your language. You will remove empty words that don’t enhance meaning. Words that get overused are: literally, really, just, wrap my head around, etc.

Improved language, more precise communication, and clearer message simply mean there is more value in your podcast for your listeners.

How to calculate your average words per minute speaking rate?

Words per minute (wpm) is the most common way used to determine a speaking rate.

The calculation is simple and obvious. Just take the number of spoken words and divide by the number of minutes it took you to deliver the speech.

Speaking Rate (WPM) = Total words / number of minutes

There is one more way to calculate the speaking rate, but since it is harder to figure, it is not as popular as WPM. This other way is syllables per minute (SPM), and you get it by dividing the number of syllables spoken by the length of a speech.

Speaking Rate (SPM) = Total syllables / number of minutes

Let’s review this short example of how those numbers differ and what they can tell us about our speech.

• Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.
• Modern, sophisticated presenters using expressive vocabulary can project passion and enthusiasm, thus successfully increasing listeners’ engagement.

Both passages have 17 words. But the first one has 19 syllables while the second one has 45 syllables. If you speak them both at the same words per minute rate, the longer passage will appear faster because you are saying more.

Using shorter words can help you say more in the same amount of time without sounding rushed.

How to easily check your average words per minute speaking rate?

To do it exactly, you need to memorize a passage and record yourself. Make a few tries speaking faster and slower to get different WPMs and determine when you sound the best.

You can also approximate this by reading a passage. It, however, calculates reading and not speaking rate. The familiarity of the material can impact the reading rate, so take this under consideration.

Reading rate, however, can be useful if you will be relying a lot on the script.

What influences how fast you talk on your audio project?

Many factors influence how fast you can talk . The good thing is that you can easily control the majority of these factors and achieve the speed you need for the most significant impact. 

• Regular speaking rate – this is highly influenced by our culture, and how people talk around. Along with a speaking rate, also pronunciation gets shaped thought the course of our lives. Thankfully all this can be influenced by a conscious effort. 
• Fatigue – whenever you are tired, you will speak slower. This is a natural response of the brain that you slow down when you are tired. Not only speaking is impacted. The simple answer here is to schedule your recording sessions in advance so you will be well-rested.
• New and complex content – when you will be working off a script that was completed a long time ago and is no longer familiar to you and on top contains a lot of long and complicated words. You will deliver it much slower. To avoid it, simply rehearse before recording and simplify. You can streamline your recording but splitting long sentences and using a more straightforward language.

Alongside being relaxed and prepared, other techniques can also help you sound better. Even what you drink and at what time of the day you record your voice-over can have an impact. Check here for a full list of tips to sound better: vocal tips 

How to use pauses effectively for better content delivery?

Pauses are a great way to capture attention during a speech. You have to use them smartly and strategically to engage your audience fully. 

When you make natural pauses, you automatically slow down your average words per minute speaking rate. In return, you should get more clear delivery and capture listeners’ attention.

Using pauses during a recording is a bit different than when giving a live speech. For example, on a podcast, you can always remove unwanted stops and keep only those you wish to include.

In a recording, you should use pauses to:

• Indicate a change in tone or topic – use a pause if you want to change the mood from excitement to being more calm and reflective. Or use one if you will change what you are talking about and ease the progression of the story. Adding music can help with changing tone.
• Emphasize key points – if you are reaching a conclusion or discuss some turning point in your story, you can pause to show that a critical piece is going to be addressed. Use those pauses in each episode to highlight the value you are delivering.
• Improve clarity of your message – when you are getting into the most convoluted part of your episode, slow down. This will give time to your listeners to process and fully appreciate the most complex and difficult to follow part of your speech.

How to control your words per minute rate on your project?

Control your environment and record your project in a soundproofed recording room . Using a quiet studio and planning your recording sessions will allow you to avoid distractions. This will help you with your speaking rate since:

• Adding control removes stress – having a controlled environment, and the scheduled session will allow you to speak more freely as it will remove some pressure. This will enable you to talk faster.
• Controlling your environment removes distractions – a soundproofed room guarantees no outside noises will lose your focus and break your concentration.

Controlling your schedule and understanding how noisy is your surroundings can help you get better audio and speak at the desired WPM even if you don’t have a fully soundproofed studio. Simply follow our guidelines on how to record in a bad room .

Is it better to speak faster, or is it better to speak slower?

There is no gold standard. If you are anywhere between 140-170 WPM, you should sound great.

Generally, slower is more intelligible than faster speech. Appropriate pauses allow your audience time to digest what you’ve said and begin to process it. 

Instead of obsessing about WPM, make sure your overall delivery is on point.

Put additional effort into:

• Simplification – use simple language, eliminate filler words, remove complex vocabulary and phrases to become more understandable
• Clarity – focus on diction, removal of vocal inflection, sharp pronunciation, and breathing.

How to practice average words per minute speaking pace?

The simplest and most effective way to practice keeping a constant pace is by using a metronome. You can buy one online (it’s a cool office decoration) or simply download any free app for your phone.

The metronome’s role is to tick at a specific rate and provide you with a constant rhythm. This is just for practicing as if you would talk precisely to the beat of the metronome you would sound very monotone (like voice assistants do). 

But practicing with a metronome will help you to oscillate at your desired words per minute rate.

There are many free metronome apps for Apple and Android phones, so you won’t have any issues finding one (you don’t need the premium versions).

How to Use Rate of Speech Effectively?

There are two valuable studies to help you craft your voice that talk about precipitation formed based on a rate of speech.

• In 1976 psychologists looked at speech rate and persuasion and concluded that faster speakers (195 wpm) were more persuasive than slower speakers (102 wpm). The results of this study suggest that speech rate functions as a general cue that augments credibility. 
• However, in 1991 a study on rapid speech suggested a more complicated relationship. Researchers conclude that when messages were in general disagreement with the audience’s views (counter-attitudinal), fast-talking increased persuasion. On the other hand, when the audience inherently agreed with the message (pro-attitudinal), slow speech emerged as the most persuasive way of delivery.

There is only one thing to do: vary your speaking rate

Always vary your words per minute speaking rate within one recording.

Don’t deliver all the sentences at the same rate. It will improve your delivery, and allow you to convey both meaning and emotions. Adjust the speed to match what you want to project at the moment.

Varying your WPM will make your recording more interesting for the audience. Without pace variation, you will sound monotone.

Change your speed according to what you want your listeners to feel.

• Speaking fast expresses passion, urgency, excitement, and emotion
• Talking slow expresses importance, sadness, confusion, the seriousness of a point

Tip : There is one more trick I use to control better my talking speed. I manage how close or far I’m from my dynamic mic.

What Playback Speed Is Used for Podcasts?

Surveys show that one of the podcasting trends is that, an increasing number of listeners regularly use higher than 1x playback speed to listen to podcasts.

The podcast player Pocket Casts estimates the feature has saved its listeners a cumulative 2,849 years between 2015 and 2019.

It may be an indication that busy people actually may enjoy a bit higher than average WPM rate.

How long should your script be for the best words per minute impression?

From analyzing podcast listeners’ demographics and usage patterns, we know that people mostly listen to podcast shows lasting between 30 and 40 minutes.

Experiment and measure your time to find the best way for you but start with a script of about 150-160 words per minute. In this case, start and experiment with:

• 2000 words for 15 minutes episode
• 3000 words for 20 minutes episode
• 4500 words for 30 minutes episode

We know that people mostly listen to podcasts between 30 and 40 minutes, but also take under consideration their attention span.

TED talks aim to be about 18 minutes. According to TED’s chief Chris Anderson, it is “long enough to be serious and short enough to hold people’s attention.” 

Information have material simply is harder and harder to digest as it goes on, so it is less satisfying for the listeners.

It is essential to care about quality and user experience with controlling the WPM speed. There are also other ways to improve the quality of your show. Besides, words per minute control my two favorites are thorough idea research and getting the best podcasting gear .

In conclusion

• 150-160 words per minute rate is the most typical speed at which radio and podcast host speak
• Many good speakers on TED lecture also talk close to this rate
• There is no golden solution and many speakers successfully deliver messages speaking above this rate
• Vary your speaking rate to avoid becoming monotone
• Speak faster to show more excitement and enthusiasm and speak slower to show importance and focus
• Alongside WPM rate a good speaker should also focus on clarity and simplicity
• A most common technique to train speaking rate is practicing with a metronome
• If you want to speak clearly and at a constant rate make sure you are rested, prepared for the recording, familiar with the material and record in a controlled and soundproofed environment
• Currently, people often use faster playback speeds to listen to podcasts. Consider this trend and test out how your audience will react to you, talking 10-20% faster.

Did you measure you average words per minute speaking rate? What did you found to be most effective for your project?

About the Author

I'm the owner and creator of ImprovePodcast.com, the site dedicated to providing actionable solutions for podcast creators. My goal is helping people to develop their podcasts into effective marketing and sales tools.

Very helpful! Thanks. This will help me with my pacing and script preparation!

Very helpful. I’ve adjusted my words per minute based on this article! Thanks.

I have no idea when this was written, but it’s rare to be searching the internet for new and useful information. I searched for “How many words per minute for a podcast” hoping to come across something that I might be able to adapt to my question. Wow. This article is everything I was asking for and more. You list famous Ted Talk speakers (interesting my two favorite Simon and Tony are 170/180. I think I found my model). Thank you for the effort on this. I will subscribe to this site.

I’m always happy to help.

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Words per Minute Calculator

Words per minute (speech), words per minute (reading), how many words is a 5 minute speech.

Have you ever wondered how long it takes to deliver a speech? Or how much time you need to read a book? This words per minute calculator (or WPM calculator for short) will help you convert between the number of words and the time taken to read or say. This way, you will not only learn how many words is a 5-minute speech but also how long it takes you to read a document with 2000 words.

If you want to know how much time you need to finish a book, head straight to our reading speed calculator !

In order to determine how long your presentation takes, you first need to find your speaking speed - how many words per minute of speech you can deliver. For example, the average speaking speed in English is 130 wpm (words per minute). If, however, you are frequently told that you speak very slowly or very fast, you should adjust this value accordingly.

You could also measure your speaking speed experimentally. Set a timer to one minute and start reading a passage of text aloud. Once the timer stops, count the words you managed to read. This number is your words per minute speech speed - you can input it directly into our calculator after clicking the advanced mode button.

The same principle as your speaking speed applies to your reading speed - the number of words per minute of reading. The average reading speed for the English language is between 170 and 240 wpm , depending on the text difficulty and your English ability.

Naturally, you can measure your reading speed and input it directly into this reading words per minute calculator. All you have to do is set a timer to one minute and start reading a book (or an e-book ), this time silently. Once the timer rings, count the words you read and input the number into the respective field (in the advanced mode ).

Once you know your speaking and reading speed, the calculations are a piece of cake! All you have to do is input the number of words you have to say into this words per minute calculator, which will tell you how long your presentation should take.

Of course, you can also use this calculator to figure out the maximum number of words in a speech with a limited time frame - for example, 5 minutes. Let's look at how to use this tool in more detail.

Choose whether you will speak to an audience or silently read the text. In this case, we are going to choose speech.

Select your speaking speed. We will stay with the average value of 130 wpm.

Determine the duration of the speech - here, we will pick a 5-minute elevator pitch.

Multiply the reading speed by the time to find out how many words are in a 5-minute speech:

130 × 5 = 650 words

Your speech can have a maximum of 650 words.

How many words per minute in a speech?

The average speaking speed in English is 130 words per minute . However, the average speaking rate changes according to the task before a speaker - for presentations, it goes down to 100-120 wpm, while for YouTubers, it's up to 150-160 wpm. When picking the right pace, you should also consider your audience, e.g., the presence of kids or non-native speakers!

How many words per 10 minute speech?

To deliver a successful ten-minute talk, prepare between 1000-1200 words. The absolute maximum you should have is 1300 words.

How many words are in a five minute speech?

A 5-minute speech should have between 500 - 600 words. Be careful not to exceed 650 words, or you'll talk too fast and, as a result, lose the audience!

How do I calculate the number of words in a talk?

To determine the number of words in a talk that will last m minutes:

• Average: 130 wpm (words per minute);
• Slow: 100 wpm; and
• Fast: 160 wpm.
• Multiply the speaking rate by the time you have in minutes: r × m
• The result in 2 is the number of words your talk should contain.

Audiobook speed

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The Role That Pace Of Speech Plays In Delivering A Presentation

Table of contents.

Have you ever put an audiobook or podcast on 2x speed and tried to keep up with the speaker’s pace? Or, have you ever watched an episode of Gilmore Girls and been shocked at how fast Rory and Lorelai talk to each other?

If so, you understand how much affect speech pace can have.

Whether in conversation or in a presentation, the pace of your speech can have a huge impact on how listeners engage and respond to what you say.

In this blog, we will take a look at speech pace, what a good public speaking pace is, why it’s important, and how to find your pace.

Before we jump into the article, check out our portfolio of projects.

When We Say 'Pace Of Speech', What Do We Mean?

When we refer to the pace of your speech, it usually means how fast you are speaking, or how many words per minute you are speaking.

A normal pace – often a conversational pace – usually sits between 120-150 words per minute . Some professions, like auctioneers, professional debaters, and sports commentators’ pace of speech typically ranges from 200-450 words per minute.

The Guinness book of World Records has Sean Shannon from Canada as the current record holder for the fastest talker , with a rate of 655 words per minute.

S peech rates vary from person to person and can often be too fast/too slow depending on the person and the situation.

For example, individuals may speak faster when they want to demonstrate urgency or when they are anxious. On the other hand, they might speak slower on more somber and serious occasions, to speak for dramatic effect, or to reiterate an important point.

Why Is The Pace In Which Your Speak Important?

The pace at which you speak is important when it comes to your audience’s ability to understand what is being said. Additionally, you should vary your pace throughout in order to emphasis key moments in your information in your presentation.

If you talk fast, your audience may have a hard time understanding what you are saying. On the other hand, if you speak at a slow pace, your listeners may lose interest or stop paying attention.

While you might vary your pace throughout your conversation or presentation, be sure to consider your audience as you set an engaging pace.

What Does Your Speech Pace Indicate?

Your speaking rate (and your body language!) can indicate different things to your audience. The art of pacing is an important skill that public speaking professionals will learn and refine over years of perfecting their craft.

Let’s look at the effects that speaking fast or slow might have.

Speaking Slowly

Speaking slowly can indicate a somber and serious tone. It can also indicate that the speaker is unsure of what they are saying and can be paired with filler words like um, uh, or like.

Additionally, a slower pace can also happen when the speaker takes pauses for dramatic effect or to give the audience time to digest new information.

Speaking Quickly

Alternatively, if the presenter is speaking quickly, this could indicate a sense of urgency, passion, excitement, and emotion. If you speak quickly, it might also mean that you are nervous and want to rush through your presentation.

How Can You Tell If You're Speaking Too Fast, Or Too Slow?

If you’re the one speaking, it might be difficult to figure out if you are speaking too fast, slow, or just right. As we’ve said above, your speaking rate can have an effect on how your audience perceives you and engaged with your presentation material.

Keeping an eye on your audience participants is key to determining if your speech rate is appropriate. If you’re audience looks disengaged, bored, or tired, you may be speaking too slow.

On the other side, if your audience looks confused or lost throughout your entire talk, you may be speaking faster than the average rate.

What Impact Does The Wrong Speed Have When Public Speaking?

While you might think that things like the speed of your talking voice might now matter, the wrong speed can actually have quite the impact.

Using a regular speaking rate is one of the best ways to talk to your audience. Talking too fast or slow can help make a point, but shouldn’t be used throughout the entire talk. In fact, this, along with other common presentation mistakes , can have an impact on the audience’s perception of your business.

A good speaker can leave a lasting impression on your audience and can lead to more sales, higher interest, and more connections.

You Need To Find Your Own Speech Rate

In order to become a better presenter , you will need to practice and find your speech rate.

How Can You Find Your Pace?

You can find out whether you are talking to fast, too slow, or just right by timing the speed of your talking rate.

T he speech rate is determined by adding up the total words you speak per minute.

For example, if you record your talking voice for one minute and count the number of words you speak, you can find your speech rates.

This process may need a few tries and different lengths of time to nail down. You might even practice going through your entire speech and then determining your speech rate when listening to it. Not only will this help you practice your presentation, but it can help with finding a good pace.

There are a few apps you can use that can help you track your speech pace as you prepare for your presentation. Some of these apps include Preply, Orai, and Ummo.

How Do You Perfect Your Pace?

Like any skill, it’s all about practice. The best public speakers are skilled with words and their voice. They know how to bring excitement, build suspense with a pause, capture an audience in one word, and can hear the differences between paces of speech.

A great public speaker will master the conversational range of speech, know when to use pauses, and can speed up or slow down their speech based on what they are saying in that moment.

Through regular practice and recording your presentations, you will be able to hone the craft of public speaking and regulating your pace. You’ll also be able to determine the perfect length of a presentation, including t he number of slides you should include to keep your audience engaged.

Here Are Our Final Thoughts On Pace Of Your Speech During A Presentation

A great presentation will use various speech paces to keep audiences engaged, highlight key pieces of information, and show excitement or passion. Understanding your pace will help you become a better presenter and public speaker.

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Author:  Content Team

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How to Create an Engaging 5-Minute Presentation

Published: September 15, 2023

A 5-minute speech can feel both incredibly short and infinitely long.

While this short format encourages audiences to pay more attention, presenters often struggle to fit everything into five minutes even as they navigate nervousness that seems to stretch out each second.

As a result, preparation is key for 5-minute speech success.

But how can you ensure your presentation accomplishes everything it needs to within just five short minutes? We’ve put together an (appropriately condensed) guide on five-minute presentations to help you get started.

How many words are in a 5-minute presentation?

A five-minute presentation is approximately 700 words long. The average person speaks 120 to 160 words a minute, which means the average five-minute presentation is 600 to 800 words.

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To calculate your own personal speaking speed (words per minute, or WPM):

• Make an audio recording of yourself speaking for one minute.
• Use a free transcription service to generate a text version of your speech.
• The number of words you spoke in that minute is your personal WPM.

When constructing a longer presentation, you might be more concerned about transitions and keeping the audience engaged with more extensive narrative elements.

In a short presentation, everything you say should directly tie back to your central premise and further advance your main point.

Keeping a tight scope and using your words carefully ensures your time isn't wasted and the audience leaves with a clear, singular takeaway.

How many slides are in a 5-minute presentation?

Five or six slides, or about one per minute, is a good baseline for a 5-minute presentation. Depending on your subject matter, however, you might use up to 20 slides and spend about 10 or 15 seconds on each.

More important than your slide count is what each slide contains. It‘s a good rule of thumb to keep your slides simple and focused on visuals instead of text for a presentation of any length.

This becomes especially important when you’re dealing with a condensed presentation window.

Trying to cram in as much information as possible within a short time frame can be tempting. Resist the urge. Instead, focus on simple, clean visuals that all tie back to your central premise.

You can also use these free presentation templates to arrange your slides in a way that makes the most sense for your delivery and the content of your presentation.

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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.

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.

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• Last Updated On: March 24, 2024

Understanding your speaking pace can unlock new levels of communication effectiveness and personal insight. While many overlook the importance of speaking speed, it plays a crucial role in connecting and conveying our messages to others.

This exploration delves into the nuances of your average speaking rate, providing actionable advice to refine your verbal delivery and overall presentation skills.

Let’s explore the common pitfalls in speech delivery and master the art of impactful communication, backed by research indicating that influential speakers adjust their speed to match their message and audience.

📝 Key Takeaways

• 📊 Ideal speeds vary from 100-150 WPM for presentations to 250-400 WPM for commentators.
• 🕰️ Time yourself reading aloud to identify your average pace and areas for improvement.
• 📈 Your cultural background, confidence, and public speaking comfort significantly impact your speaking speed.
• 💻 Practice, feedback, and technology can help you fine-tune your speaking rate for clearer communication.

What Is The Average Words Per Minute For Speaking?

One may wonder, “How many words does the average person speak per minute?”

The average speaking rate is 150-160 words per minute (WPM) for podcasters. This can vary with context and individual differences, ranging from 110-250 WPM . Radio presenters or podcasters may speak faster than the average rate.

Average Words Per Minute (WPM) by Speaking Context:

Words to minutes calculator – podcast episode timing.

Planning your podcast episode ? Use this simple calculator to determine how long your script will take to deliver. Enter your script length and choose your average speaking speed.

Get results instantly to help manage your episode timing perfectly. This free tool is great for podcasters who want to plan their episodes and keep their audience engaged.

How to Determine Your Speaking Rate

Calculating this and adapting your average WPM can greatly enhance communication skills and ensure effective information delivery.

• Select a passage or piece of text that is around 200-300 words long. This length is ideal because it’s long enough to get an average rate but short enough to be manageable.
• Before you start reading, set a timer. Smartphones usually have a stopwatch function that works perfectly for this.
• Read the passage out loud, just as you would in a conversation or presentation. Do not rush or deliberately slow down; aim for a natural pace.
• Once you’ve finished reading, stop the timer and note down the time taken.
• To determine your speaking rate in words per minute (WPM), divide the number of words in the passage by the time taken in minutes to read it.
• Your speaking rate can vary depending on context, mood, or the complexity of the content. Repeating the process with different types of passages (e.g., technical content vs. casual conversation) might help you get a range of your average speaking speed.
• If your speaking rate is too fast or slow for your intended audience or purpose, practice adjusting it. Using a metronome can help maintain a consistent pace.
• Sometimes, we do not judge our speaking pace best. It can be beneficial to get feedback from peers or mentors. They can provide insights into whether you’re speaking too fast, too slow, or just right.
• Several apps and online tools can automatically calculate your speaking rate by analyzing a recorded speech sample.

Remember, while determining your speaking rate is useful, paying attention to clarity, intonation, and enunciation is also essential. The goal is to communicate effectively; sometimes, that might mean adjusting your pace to ensure comprehension.

Speaking Rate (WPM) of Professional Speakers

The average speaking rate of professional speakers is 167 words per minute (WPM).

It’s important to note that while Steve Jobs’ talk isn’t from the regular TED conferences, it’s featured on the TED website. This presentation, given by the late visionary, is a masterclass in capturing the audience’s attention and delivering a poignant message.

Tony Robbins, the fastest speaker on our list, epitomizes that speed need not compromise clarity. His crystal-clear articulation and lucid language ensure his message is understood, irrespective of the brisk pace.

Speakers must adjust their speaking rate to match their audience’s listening comfort . Racing through content might lose listeners, while a languid pace could let their attention drift. The art lies in striking that perfect equilibrium.

Optimal Script Length for Podcast Episodes

As podcasting continues to gain traction as a favored medium for content delivery, understanding the ideal script length for varying episode durations can be invaluable.

The table below provides a guideline for scriptwriters and podcasters to ensure content remains engaging and concise for listeners.

By aligning the script length with the intended duration, creators can better plan, structure, and deliver their content for maximum impact. Dive in to discover the recommended word count for your next episode!

➡️ How Long Should a Podcast Be ?

Factors That Influence The Speed Of Speech Of The Average Person

Many factors influence the speed at an average person speaks, including:

The Culture You Were Raised In

It might sound crazy, but the culture you were raised in can significantly impact your average speaking speed. Some cultures and languages naturally speak much faster than others, which can seriously impact your average WPM.

If you grew up speaking a first language that is naturally fast-paced, such as Spanish or Italian, then it is likely that you will speak at a faster rate than someone who grew up speaking a language with slower speech rates, such as English.

Slower speakers might take two seconds to say a word, while faster speakers could say the same in half a second. This difference may not seem like much, but it can increase over time. If you speak for five minutes, you will likely say twice as many words as the slow speaker.

Additionally, if you are used to hearing the average person speak quickly, you may find adjusting to slower speech patterns difficult. Slow speakers can often be frustrating for natives who speak faster, who may find themselves impatient or lost.

The good news is that you can learn to speak slower if necessary, no matter your natural speech rate.

Just remember to take your time and focus on speaking rather than worrying about the number of words you say. With practice, you can find the perfect balance for you.

How Confident You Feel

Your confidence level also has a huge effect on your speaking speed. If you feel confident, you’ll naturally speak slower and more evenly than if you feel insecure.

If you are nervous, you are more likely to rush your speech with faster-than-average speaking speed and trip over your words. A good speaker can control their speed and use it to their advantage.

World Fastest Speaker

Stephen Peter Woodmore (13 December 1959 – 6 February 2023) was a British salesman recognized for his extraordinary speech speed, articulating at 637 words per minute (wpm) — four times faster than average.

From August 1990, he held the Guinness World Record for the world’s fastest talker, succeeding John Moschitta Jr. However, in 1995, Sean Shannon from Canada surpassed him with a speed of 655 wpm.

How Comfortable You Are With Public Speaking

Finally, your comfort level when speaking in public can significantly impact your speaking rate. If you are not used to being in front of large groups of people, you may struggle to keep up a steady pace, thus speaking faster and rushing your speech.

Good speakers, such as those from popular Ted talks, often have extensive practice and experience in public speaking , which has helped them become more comfortable and confident when addressing large audiences.

Tips To Improve The Speed Of How The Average Person Speaks

As you can see from our list above, several different aspects affect the speed of your speech. However, there are some simple things that you can do to improve your speaking rates.

Slow Down When Talking About Difficult Topics

When discussing difficult topics, such as politics or religion, it is important to think carefully about what you say. If you speak too quickly, you risk making mistakes and sounding awkward .

Instead, try to speak slowly and deliberately, and make sure that you pause between each sentence.

Practice Before Giving Presentations

Practice makes perfect, and this applies to speaking as well. If you plan on giving a presentation, practice speaking slowly and pausing frequently.

Avoid rushing through your speech and focus on getting all your points across without any mistakes. This will help you feel more confident and relaxed and allow you to speak more easily.

➡️ Which Lapel Mic For Podcast Should I Choose?

Practice Reading Out Loud

Reading aloud is one of the best ways to improve your talking speed because it forces you to slow down and pay attention to how you speak, especially when reading complicated words.

It also helps you to learn to control your breathing , another factor affecting your speaking speed.

Speak Clearly And Slowly

You should always aim to speak slowly and comfortably—even if you are nervous. If you speak too fast, you are more likely than ever to trip over your words, increasing your stress levels and mental fatigue.

As we mentioned earlier, nerves can cause you to breathe faster, so take note of your breath rate and try to slow it down slightly.

Take Deep Breaths

Taking deep breaths before talking will help you relax and give you time to prepare for your presentation. People speak more quickly when nervous or anxious, so it is essential to stay calm.

If you are tackling complex content, it can be helpful to slow down your thoughts by taking a few moments to pause and think about what you want to say before speaking. This will help you organize your thoughts and ensure you say what you want.

Taking deep breaths will also help you calm down, reduce the chances of you tripping over your words, and maintain a regular speaking rate.

Why Does Speaking Speed Matter?

When you are speaking publicly, the speed of your speech is important and can offer you several advantages when delivering a speech. These include:

Increasing Your Credibility

If you have a high speaking rate, you risk sounding like you are trying to convince everyone around you that you know what you are talking about.

Many speakers would want to avoid this, but if you speak at an appropriate pace, you can be seen as credible and trustworthy.

Radio hosts and TED Talk speakers are known for speaking slowly and deliberately, which helps them engage the audience and build trust .

Improving Your Audience’s Attention Span

Speaking too quickly can cause your audience to lose interest. They may find themselves nodding off or looking bored, meaning they won’t pay close attention to what you say.

By contrast, speaking slowly lets them listen carefully and absorb everything you say.

➡️ How To Make Your Podcast Popular ?

Avoiding Slips Of The Tongue

Speaking too quickly can make you more likely to slip up and accidentally say something embarrassing.

For example, if you talk about your favorite movie and say, “I love watching movies with my friends,” you could say, “I love watching movies alone.” This slip-up is unacceptable, and it is easy to see why.

FAQs: Average Words Per Minute Speaking

How fast does the average podcaster speak.

The average podcaster speaks approximately 150 to 160 words per minute, while the average professional speaker is slightly higher at 167 WPM (words per minute).

How Fast Does the Average Person Talk?

The average person speaks at a rate of approximately 125 to 150 words per minute.

How many words is a 5 minute speech?

A 5-minute speech would be around 750 to 800 words using the average speaking rate.

Is 100 words per minute fast speaking?

Speaking at 100 WPM is slightly below the average conversational rate, so it’s not considered fast.

Is 150 wpm speaking fast?

Speaking at 150 WPM is about average for most people, especially in presentations and general conversations.

Is speaking 200 words a minute fast?

Speaking at 200 WPM is faster than average and is typically seen in enthusiastic or rapid conversations.

How long is a 700 word speech?

A 700-word speech would last roughly 4.5 to 5 minutes at an average speaking rate.

Is 150 words per minute good for a speech?

Yes, 150 WPM is a good rate for a speech as it’s comfortable for listeners and ensures clarity.

Is it possible to speak 300 words per minute?

Speaking at 300 WPM is extremely fast. While some individuals, like certain record-holders, can achieve it, it’s beyond the average speaking rate for most people and can challenge comprehension.

How long is a 2 minute speech?

A 2-minute speech is typically 300 to 320 words, based on an average speaking rate of 150-160 words per minute (WPM).

Final Thoughts On How Many Words You Can Say Per Minute

Your speaking speed isn’t fixed; it can change with time. Utilizing our guidelines, you can determine your words-per-minute rate and refine your speech to be more composed, captivating, and effective for your listeners.

Other sources :

• Science Focus

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A Comprehensive Guide on Short Presentations

Hrideep barot.

• Body Language & Delivery , Presentation , Public Speaking , Speech Writing , Workplace Communication

A short presentation is a presentation that conveys a point or a topic in brief within the span of 5 to 12 mins. It generally sticks to the main idea with a speed of 120-160 words per minute. Short presentations approximately have 12-20 slides depending on the depth of the topic and also differ in length from person to person.

Imagine a situation where you missed your presentation day due to some reasons and now your teacher/ senior is furious and is threatening you that they will give a remark that could be damaging to your student/work résumé. But somehow you convince them to give you a second chance. However, the condition is that the presentation that you had prepared for should be now presented in just 2-5 minutes or else give up. What to do? And how to do it? 

A short presentation. What is that? So, when you must research a particular concept or topic in detail but explain or present it in brief that is 5 to 10 mins is known as a short presentation. One gives a short presentation with the thought in mind that their audience’s attention span is small. Short presentations are even used in daily life while convincing someone, explaining a thought, pitching an idea, etc. in a well-presented manner. For instance, to convince your parents to let you go on a trip with your friends you make a short presentation on ‘XX reasons why I should be allowed to go on a trip with my friends’ ‘or why should you be allowed to adopt a pet’. 

Furthermore, recent research showed that the 12 slide presentations pitches outclassed their longer counterparts and were also stated as more effective.  

Short Presentation Terms   

Additionally, there are some terms used for short presentations. One of the terms is known as lightning talk; this is a noticeably short presentation given in forums or conferences that lasts for only a few minutes. They only focus on certain important key points and discuss as many ideas as possible in a fleeting time span. 

Furthermore, other types of short presentations include Ignite and Pecha Kucha. Having the Japanese meaning of chit chat, Pecha Kucha is adopted from the phrase “talk less show more”. Here the presenter talks for exactly 6 minutes and 40 seconds with 20 slides lasting 20 seconds (set to change periodically). Pecha Kucha nights involve people sharing personal presentations about their work or any specific topic with 8 to 14 presentations per event. 

Likewise, ignite talks is a series of events (somewhat like ted talks) where the presenter is given 5 minutes to present 20 slides with each taking 15 seconds and then automatically advancing. It was presumably inspired from Pecha Kucha and started in Seatle before reaching to more than 350 countries. 

To know more about the several types and styles of presentation, read our article – The 6 Types Of Presentation (And Why You Need Them)

Creation, Practice and Presentation   

How do you execute a successful short presentation? In order to do that you need to be proficient with the ‘CPP’ of the presentation that is creation, practice/preparation, and presentation. If you become familiar with these steps it could be easier for you to make a compelling presentation. 

Creation   

 Creating a presentation is the first and the most crucial step to a good presentation. Knowing what to add and how much to add can have a profound impact during the demonstration.  

1. Correct Topic

Firstly, choosing the correct topic if given a choice is a major decision. Selecting a topic that is too complex and lengthy might confuse you as well as your audience and create a bad impression. Easier topics might result in less information overload and more information grasping or perceiving. 

2. Information Filter

Subsequently, filter out the points that you feel are the most important to be added after completing your research. Taking up points with extra information could take up your presentation time. 

3. Target audience Knowledge

Tertiarily, know your target audience. Having the time constraints, you do not want to bore the audience with the information that they already know or the information that they do not want to know or is useless to them. Thus, do you research well and only add the points that are relevant to your audience.  

4. Presentation Quantity and Quality

Try to keep the average number of slides between 12-20 depending on the time that you have in your hand. Moreover, use a good template, even if the presentation is short, it should appear appealing to the audience.  

5.Timed Intervals

Keep your transitions interval coupled with the time you want to take on a particular slide; that is use auto transition during your slideshow so that you are aware of your time limit. 

6. Effective Opening

Make your opening one that steals the attention of the audience. Since you have less time to present make sure the audience focuses from the start, if they would not be able to do this you would anyways have to end presentation in the next few minutes (as you less time) with no one getting what you just presented or getting your idea. Some of the good opening remarks are included in our article – 10 Of The Best Things To Say In Opening Remarks

7. Crammed vs Clean

Lastly, avoid cramming in much information on a slide, try to keep your slide more visual and cleaner. Too much information on a slide could look unappealing and the audience could also not be able to complete reading before the slide transitions.  

Practice/Preparation  

The second step is preparation or practice. Now as the slides are less and the creation part is completed quickly one gets a lot of time to practice.

A) Time Yourself

Start off with timing your presentation, make sure you finish off with your presentation on the allotted time limit, 10 secs here and there is fine but try to refrain from taking more time than that. Specifically, practice in slideshow mode so that you can synchronize your speaking time with the transitioning of the slides. 

B) Rehearse with Coach Feature

If nobody is around to practice with, you could use rehearse with Coach feature (only available if you have made your presentation on PowerPoint) to correctly time and practice your presentation. It analyses your pace, use of filler words (like uh, uhm, etc.), your pitch, if you are simply just reading from the slide, culturally sensitive terms etc. 

To learn to use the rehearse with coach feature, watch the video below: 

C) Pace perfecting

Practicing your pace is essential. You ought to pick up a perfect pace, do not speak too fast just because you are timed (though sometimes you might speak fast unconsciously so practice thoroughly), choose a pace where the audience can contemplate what you are saying. Do not speak so slowly that you surpass your cutoff time. Try to avoid fillers, this can decrease your time and give you more speaking time. However, time your speech such that you finish before the time limit as sometimes you unconsciously also might use the fillers and end up pausing frequently.  

D) Understand and Memorize

Likewise, try to memorize (although do not mug it up!) your speech as much as possible resist simply reading from a paper or slides, it looks unprofessional. 

Presentation   

The final and the most unnerving step is the presentation. This is the evaluation day where all your effort will be examined and judged. First of all, make sure that you calm yourself before the presentation. If you start panicking or become nervous you might mess up the presentation and as it is a short presentation, you might not even have time to cover up. 

Use different techniques to be calm like meditation, talking to a close one, bioenergetics etc., to learn about being less nervous watch our video – 

Remember the practice that you have done, remember all the important points (like your pace should not be too fast), revise your content and make sure you look confident and interactive. Lastly, do not be extremely nervous, remember you just have to present for 5-10 mins but make that time count and impress the audience. 

Importance of Short Presentations  

So, short presentations are omnipresent and used in almost every field. Therefore, they become an important soft skill to acquire. Some reasons highlighting the importance of short presentations comprise of: 

Time constraint. In this technological era people are available 24*7 and can be contacted anytime. Hence, with increased online hours to keep themselves updated with the world and work hours; people have very less time to spare to attend long presentations of you pitching in your ideas. Therefore, short presentations work as saviors here in getting your idea to the audience without taking much of their time. 

Moreover, it helps you identify and focus on your key message. Short presentations improve your identification and inclusion of important points. It enhances your skill to explain your skill to explain your point in short even in daily life, preventing you from losing the interest of others and from becoming that boring person in the room that explains way too much. As a bonus it also increases the chance of your senior choosing you to interact with the client. 

Why Short Presentations  are Better 

What makes short presentations so widely used and convenient? There are many benefits of short presentations. 

1. Time saving

As mentioned above, short presentations save the audience as well as the presenter a lot of time, and besides, they also cover loads of topics in truly little time, giving each person a chance to put forth their ideas and thoughts. It also saves time on the creation part of the presenter thus giving them more time to practice. 

2. Less attention time

This is a desirable alternative for those who hate long stage time or presenting in front of others (either due to anxiety, stage fear or any other reasons). This could furthermore be a stepping stone for those who want to get rid of their fears of prolonged hours on stage but want to systematically desensitize themselves to it and not in one go. 

3. End moment revision

Short presentations are helpful in explaining everything in a gist and hence they are great resources for end moment revision before an exam when one has less time to study in detail. Teachers can use it during revision lectures or students can use them as reference notes as they are self-explanatory. 

4. Useful for short attention spans

Nowadays people have a short attention span and they are less tolerant towards long presentations. They are not interested in the long thesis of a topic, they need what, why and how it will affect or benefit them. Therefore, short presentations keep them focused on what you are saying and make them understand your idea more effectively. 

5. More time to practice

With short presentations after completing the creation part one gets a lot of time to practice and do some extra research to get well acquainted with the topic that they are presenting on. This further helps them during the questions and answers sessions to solve the audience’s doubt clearly. 

6. Easier evaluation

Short presentations are easier for the professors or the authorities to evaluate. If they assign short presentations to their students or employees, authorities can get a clear understanding of their presentation and research skills in a shorter time. The short length makes evaluating skills 40-50 people simpler and less tiring.  

7. Additional benefits

Added advantages of short presentations include getting more time for the interactive or QandA sessions with the audience. Consequently, you also have the time to know the opinions, thoughts, and experience of the audience; along with their reviews. 

Challenges of a short presentation  

Short presentations are many times thought of as easier because of their limited number of slides and the short duration. However it comes with its own challenges and drawbacks.  

Concise Points

The most important skill to make a short presentation is the ability to keep your points concise but understandable. The audience should be able to get the idea even in 4 words. Lack of this skill could make it quite difficult for you to end your presentation in a given time limit. 

Tight Time Constraints

Besides, as you have time constraints, it gets difficult to add all the information that you find important. You would need to filter out the essential information from the additional ones and further select the information that you think of as the most important. Keep the rest as backup slides in case you need it (for a proper guide on backup slides check out our article – Backup Slides: The Six Situations Saviors ). This takes up a lot of your cognitive resources. 

Less but not Incomplete

Next is that you need to choose the right and sufficient information. Giving out incomplete information that does not make sense. It becomes incomprehensible to your audience and they might end up misunderstanding and taking away the wrong message or even worse lose attention during your presentation.  

Uses up a lot of cognitive resources

Every second counts during a short presentation. Creating a short presentation requires more focus, efficacy, and better attention to detail. Therefore, short presentations become cognitively more taxing to deal with.  

Limited Interactive Elements

Furthermore, don’t beat around the bush while presenting. You need to come straight to your point and explain it in brief. Hence, you might not be able to add interactive elements like storytelling, activities, or social experiments. However, you could add these after you complete your presentations if extra time is left. 

Duration and word limit per minute   

The duration of short presentations might range from 2-15 minutes depending on the topic one chooses or the time limit given to them. However, the average duration of a short presentation could be around 7 mins. 

Similarly, the average pace of the speaker should be 120-160 words per minute so that the speaker sounds comprehensive to the audience (however even this could differ from speaker to speaker).  

The right duration and pace would affect the evaluation of the authority. This further might earn you some points so keep that in mind while presenting. 

Checklist  

It is important to keep the points mentioned above in mind as a guide for a short presentation. Hence to make it easier to verify, here is a checklist of the guidelines:  

Effective short presentations in shorter time   

Imagine that some client your organization wanted to have a meeting with since many days. They have suddenly cleared up their schedule and wants to arrange a meeting with you tomorrow. However, you still have not prepared the short presentation for the meeting, what would you do? Here are some tips that you could take into account  

First off, starting with creation make your presentation as short as possible. The audience is not going to focus on the quantity of your content but the quality and the important points. Remember that even if your presentation is short, you should have a thorough knowledge of your content. 

Try to add an interactive section if possible, this would help you connect with the audience but more importantly lessen your speaking part as the audience would take that up.  

Consequently, keep your talking points simple. Do not add complex points and explanations making it difficult to remember in less time and recall during the presentation. You could add a story or personal experience that you remember, this way you would have less content to memorize as you already know it. 

Lastly, even if you have less time to practice try to appear confident. As quoted “fake it till you make it.” This would possibly increase the audience’s belief in what you say. 

If you want to be clued more up on how to prepare for presentation with no preparation time, learn from our video: 

Short Presentation Examples   

Short presentations are short with fewer points and its visuals are also simple and sober. There are no too fancy animations, transitions, or designs, just something that looks appealing and conveys the message effectively. Some of these kinds of presentations of a few brands are: –  

Conclusion   

Short presentations are a part and parcel of life used in every work-field, as well as for day-to-day purposes. Short presentations have several benefits but not without their challenges. Learning to make an effective short presentation is a skill to acquire. By correctly using all the guidelines there would be no reason for you to not have a successful performance. 

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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.

Home Blog Presentation Ideas How to Create a 5 Minutes Presentation

How to Create a 5 Minutes Presentation

Giving a 40-60-minute speech isn’t a synonym for success. Sticking to shorter presentation formats can increase the impact of large-format events. Among its many advantages, allowing multiple speakers to give their insights rises above everything. Still, presenters often struggle to be concise, as they aim to disclose as much content as possible, ending up overdoing the allotted time or delivering rushed-up presentations.

In this article, we’ll share our experience on how to master the art of 3-5 minute presentations, keeping your speech concise while using powerful graphics to connect with the audience.

Table of Contents

What is a 5 Minutes Presentation?

What are the requirements of 5 minutes presentations, how many slides for a 5 minute presentation, 5 minute presentation ideas, how to make a 5 minute presentation, common mistakes to avoid in 5-minute presentations, recommended templates for 5 minute presentations, final words.

A 5-minute presentation is a short talk designed to convey a specific message, idea, information, or argument within a limited timeframe, between three to five minutes – the latter being the average duration. Due to the brevity, these presentations require careful planning and preparation to ensure the content is concise, focused, and impactful. 

We can define a five-minute presentation’s must-have(s) in seven different categories.

Objective Definition

The purpose of your talk has to be clear from the presentation planning phase. This implies acknowledging whether you intend to inform, persuade, inspire, or instruct your audience on a given topic.

On this behalf, we made a list of frameworks to help you pinpoint the core objective of your presentation:

• SPIN (Situation, Problem, Implication, Need-payoff): Intended for sales strategy or customer-driven presentations. The focus is set on understanding the audience’s situation, presenting the problems, implications, and potential benefits of a proposed solution.
• AIDA (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action): The AIDA framework is extremely popular in marketing campaigns and sales presentations. You can learn more about this approach for engaging presentations by checking our guide on the AIDA model .
• SCQA (Situation, Complication, Question, Answer): Intended for problem-solving meetings and business presentations. The SCQA framework establishes a context and its challenges, raises a question, and provides solutions for it.
• Minto Pyramid Principle: This unconventional approach is used for business presentations and reports, and was developed by Barbara Minto at McKinsey & Company in the 1970s . We start by stating the conclusion or core recommendation, then organize the information that supports your statement in a logical flow. By implementing this approach, you inspire the audience to think critically about the presented scenario, while discussing complex ideas in an easier-to-digest format due to its hierarchical organization of ideas.
• Monroe’s Motivated Sequence: A framework with a focus on persuasive presentations. It is structured by five pillars recognized by its author, Alan H. Monroe : Attention, Need, Satisfaction, Visualization, and Action. 

Concise Content

“How many words in a 5-minute speech” is a commonly asked question by beginner presenters. The average range for seasoned speakers is 130-150 words per minute in a fluent speech, and depending on the topic, that can go slower (technical-based presentations) or faster (motivational presentations, like the ones delivered by Tony Robbins ). 

Therefore, for a 5-minute speech, you might aim for:

• At 130 words per minute: 130×5=650 words
• At 150 words per minute: 150×5=750 words

That calculation can help you curate the script for your speech. In general lines, our expertise tells us that selecting a topic that can be covered within 5 minutes is roughly 60% of the job. After effectively selecting a topic, you must restrict the content to 2-3 main points to remain within the time limit and end your presentation in style. 

Presentation Structure

In more laid-back scenarios, presentations can lean toward a conversational mode rather than a strict agenda. Still, we ought to ensure the presentation structure contains an Introduction, a Body, and a Conclusion. 

The Introduction helps us familiarize the audience with what’s expected out of your presentation. Additionally, it is our chance to make a good first impression . Knowing how to start your presentation guarantees audience engagement from the initial moments of your delivery.

Moving to the Body, this is where facts are laid out and backed up using evidence or examples to support your view. Visual aids can contribute to minimizing the need for lengthy text walls. 

Finally, the Conclusion summarizes the key takeaways and, when applicable, brings a call to action in the format of thought-provoking statements, data shared, an irresistible offer, and plenty of other scenarios.

Audience Engagement

Connecting with the audience is vital, especially in short formats like Pecha Kucha presentations . Your speech pace and body language are significant factors that contribute to how the audience perceives your interest in their time. 

Aim for a relaxed but confident attitude, as if you were passionately talking about a topic with a group of acquaintances. This reinforces your authority in the topic you deliver, as being anxious or rushing through the presentation only speaks of a lack of interest.

Apply professional presentation techniques like storytelling for presentations or harnessing the power of visual communication strategies to make your message memorable. 

Audience Acknowledgement

Tailoring your presentation for the audience’s interest is the first step every presenter must take to guarantee success, especially if we’re another speaker in large-scale events. In some niches, like academic presentations, it is vital as some of the audience may not feel connected with your research topic. 

Based on information gathered from our customer’s feedback, a good recipe to connect with your audience is to work with a sales approach in mind and create your “ideal audience persona.” This would be your attendee who’s 100% connected with what you intend to share. Compare and contrast demographics with the public you know will attend, and find the common points and where you need to adjust your expectations to meet the audience’s interest.

If the event format allows for it, be ready to present questions at the end of your presentation that may drive the interest of a Q&A session.

Visual Aids

Slides featuring infographics , dashboards , or storytelling-based illustrations help to attract the spectator’s interest and increase the retention rate, as research proves it’s easier to recall pictures than words . As previously mentioned, leveraging graphics helps us reduce our slides’ word count.

Other presentation aids , like videos, audio, and even sensory elements such as smells, can drive a broad range of emotional responses within the audience. It’s worth exploiting this route if your presentation aims to persuade or motivate the spectators. 

Time Management

Last but not least, time management is an etiquette rule of respect for fellow presenters. Your content has to fit within the 5-minute limit, including transition times and variations in your delivery speed.

A good presenter is an adaptable one. Be ready to adjust your speech on the fly if you find yourself running short or long on time or if the audience’s interest drives the conversation briefly away from your intended destination.

Defining how many slides is a 5 minute presentation isn’t an automatic task. Some topics can be quickly resolved following the premises of the 1-2-3 rule for presentations, applying:

• One main message: Your presentation should center around a single, clear main message or idea. This ensures focus and helps your audience grasp the core of your presentation without getting lost in details. 
• Two supporting points: Support your main message with two strong, relevant points or arguments. This structure helps provide depth to your presentation without overwhelming your audience with too much information. 
• Three examples or pieces of evidence: For each supporting point, provide three examples, pieces of evidence, or data points to substantiate your arguments. This reinforces your message and helps in making your case more convincing.

In short, implementing this practice can result in a range between 5 and 10 slides in your 5-minute presentation. More complex topics, like medical presentations or scientific conferences, cannot be summarized easily, as graphs require one full slide for accurate data visualization. In this case, weigh the critical points your presentation must cover, assign a maximum of 3 slides per crucial point, and avoid filler content.

Googling around you can come across lists with 200, 60, 40, and plenty other title combinations referring to 5 minute presentation ideas. Despite it being a good starter to brainstorm potential topics or angles for your presentation, we shall introduce our method to implement AI tools to come up with 5 minute presentation topics. The following instructions apply to ChatGPT , Gemini (Bard) or Bing.

• Consider the niche in which you want to deliver a 5 minute presentation. 
• Gather the main keywords around the topic you intend to present. For example, if you want to deliver a presentation about artificial intelligence, the following keywords may suit your needs as well: AI, artificial intelligence chatbot, types of artificial intelligence, artificial intelligence solutions, what is artificial intelligence.
• Open your AI tool of preference and write the following prompt: “Give me a list of 20 5-minute presentation ideas in the IT niche that fit these keywords: AI, artificial intelligence chatbot, types of artificial intelligence, artificial intelligence solutions, what is artificial intelligence.”

And this is the list generated by ChatGPT-4

• Introduction to Artificial Intelligence: Basics of AI, its history, and evolution.
• Exploring AI Technologies: A dive into machine learning, neural networks, and deep learning.
• Types of Artificial Intelligence: From narrow (or weak) AI to general (or strong) AI, and superintelligence.
• AI Chatbots: Revolutionizing Customer Service: How chatbots are changing the customer service landscape across industries.
• Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: Discussing AI solutions for diagnostics, treatment recommendations, and patient care.
• The Role of AI in Autonomous Vehicles: Examining how AI technologies power self-driving cars.
• Ethical Considerations in AI: The moral implications of AI in decision-making and privacy concerns.
• AI in Cybersecurity: Using artificial intelligence to predict, detect, and respond to cyber threats.
• The Impact of AI on Job Markets: How AI is reshaping employment opportunities and the workforce.
• Machine Learning Algorithms Explained: An overview of popular algorithms and their applications in AI.
• AI and Big Data: How AI algorithms process and analyze large datasets to extract meaningful insights.
• Natural Language Processing (NLP) in AI: Understanding how AI interprets, understands, and generates human language.
• AI in Finance: The use of artificial intelligence in fraud detection, algorithmic trading, and personalized banking.
• Artificial Intelligence for Environmental Sustainability: Exploring AI solutions for climate change, conservation, and sustainable energy.
• AI and Robotics: How AI is applied in robotics for automation, exploration, and manufacturing.
• Deep Learning and Neural Networks: An introduction to the architecture of neural networks and their significance in AI.
• Implementing AI Solutions in Small Businesses: Practical AI applications for improving efficiency and productivity in SMEs.
• The Future of AI: Predictions and emerging trends in artificial intelligence technologies.
• AI in Education: Personalized learning, automated grading, and AI’s role in educational institutions.
• Ethics and Bias in AI: Addressing the challenges of bias in AI algorithms and ensuring ethical AI development.

In this section, we will apply the explained suggestions earlier, approaching a real use case of a motivational speaker addressing an audience of marketing professionals. The speaker has to deliver a 5 minute presentation for a large onsite event.

Defining the Objective & Core Message

Our presenter is faced with the challenge of highlighting the importance of data analysis in marketing these days, and why marketing professionals should be adaptable to the latest trends. Therefore, using Minto’s Pyramid Principle, the presenter who already knows the answer – that hunch-based decisions need to be turned into data-driven decisions – plans how to convey the importance of that statement into the presentation’s flow.

Then, a powerful hook comes to mind on how to start this presentation: “Today, I want to share why embracing change isn’t just necessary; it’s our most powerful tool for growth in the marketing world.” Since that statement can sound somewhat vague, the presenter opts for a quote to impact the audience. A definition of what Social Listening is, indicating the connection between data and consumer behavior analysis.

Concise Content Tailored for the Audience

Research or inquire about the audience’s background in marketing. Are they novices or seasoned professionals? What challenges are they facing? Use this information to shape your presentation content.

In our presenter’s case, the event’s organizer gave some basic information about the demographics and audience’s background. Returning to the “ideal audience persona” concept, this presenter’s audience consists of mid-level marketing professionals facing rapid industry changes. Some already have experience working with data analytics but couldn’t extract the full potential. Therefore, rather than losing time with basics, the presenter prepares a compelling dashboard slide showing metrics of how working with data helped a client grow its revenue rate by 19% in three months.

The time limit for this presentation is 6 minutes in total, as a 1-minute Q&A session is contemplated. Therefore, using our word-per-minute calculation, the presenter opts for a 5 minute speech word count of 600 words, as it’s best to impact with powerful visuals and data storytelling rather than to rush the speech. As the recommended slide deck length for this presentation format is between 5 and 10 slides, the presenter opts for 3 extra slides, totaling 13 slides, since the two main points require 2-3 slides each.

The Introduction for this presentation is a powerful statement, as we mentioned above, taking one full minute to deliver the phrase and share the information that backs up such a statement.

The Body will take 3 minutes to be presented, and it shall cover a three-tier structure with the following premises:

• Challenge: “The digital marketing landscape is evolving faster than ever before, leaving many behind.”
• Strategy: “Yet, some marketers are thriving by adopting agile methodologies and data-driven strategies.”
• Success Story: “Take, for example, a small business that doubled its online engagement and grew its revenue rate by 19% in three months just by simply listening to its audience through social media analytics.”

The Conclusion takes another minute, using a powerful slide to leave a lasting thought that the audience can dwell on.

As the format is brief, the presenter will use powerful graphics to boost audience engagement. Additionally, there’s a short exercise at the beginning of the presentation where the speaker promptly says: “Turn to the person next to you and share one change you’ve embraced in your marketing strategy this year that made a difference.” This is a fine example of how to implement interactive presentation techniques to boost audience engagement.

Leveraging this kind of strategy helps the audience to connect with the importance of making changes in the marketing strategy of their work environments, but not just any change, something that’s measurable and has a significant impact. The presenter expects that not many members can successfully relate to change with results due to their inexperience in marketing data analytics – a piece of information disclosed by the event’s organizer – so the remaining of the presentation consists of ‘wowing’ the audience on the importance of data and how to measure that impact to stay tuned with the latest trends.

Although it seems an easy-to-adapt format, presenters working under 5-minute presentation can face some challenges that affect the overall outcome of their presentation delivery. Most of these presentation mistakes apply to any kind of presentation. In particular, we consider the following list as beginner mistakes we can easily prevent.

• Using Jargon or Complex Language: This can alienate your audience. Use clear, accessible language.
• Reading from Slides: This is literally “death by PowerPoint.” Use slides as a visual aid, not a script.
• Overuse of Animations or Transitions: While they can be engaging, too many can be distracting and appear unprofessional.

Check the following slide decks and PPT templates to maximize your performance in 3-5 minute presentations.

1. 5 Minute Business Marketing Presentation Template

Create eye-catching marketing presentations by using this best PPT template with a clean layout and wavy backgrounds. The information can be structured around the included icons, maximizing the retention rate by giving an area to focus on just the core information to be disclosed.

Use This Template

2. Business Executive 5-Minute Presentation Template

Geared toward business presentations, this slide deck layout contains cutting-edge graphics that grab your audience’s interest. It can be easily customized to speak about your company’s growth process, reach out to potential investors, or even for non-business topics.

3. Modern Hexagon 5-Minute Pitch Deck PowerPoint Template

Another clean layout template with vivid colors to highlight the information shared. This professional PPT slide deck helps us discuss data or compare features between competitor products in the blink of an eye. The color palette uses gradients to transition between sections smoothly.

4. Kaleidoscope 5-Minute Company Profile PowerPoint Template

Although it is intended for company profiles or company overview presentations, this highly visual PPT template can be repurposed for many niches. Due to its limited-space placeholder text areas, the 5 minute speech word count can be significantly reduced, aiming for concise content.

5. Academic 5-Minute Presentation Template

An ideal template for presenting thesis dissertations, this slide deck features designs to introduce the scope of our research, problem statement, methodology used, outcomes, and their significance while preserving a cohesive aesthetic.

As we can see, concise presentation formats like the 5 minute presentation have their own challenges when we strive for quality. Consider rehearsing your presentation multiple times, opting for the slideshow mode , to spot any areas where you can trim the speech or change text for graphics. 

Speak reasonably, and remember it’s best to fall short some seconds and allow for a Q&A session rather than rushing and not giving a proper closure to your speech.

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Presentation Approaches, Presentation Ideas Filed under Presentation Ideas

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What are the Average Words Per Minute When Speaking?

The average person speaks between 125 and 200 words per minute. However, this can vary depending on a number of factors, including the difficulty of the topic, the urgency of the situation, and a lot of other things.

In this article, we will explore more on average words per minute a person speaks and why it varies. Keep reading to learn more!

Also, be sure to check out our handy guide on how many words should be in your speech (based on number of minutes).

Speaking Speed at Regular Condition

Terms complexity, pauses in speaking, difficulty of the topic, speaking to an audience, cultural variances, can a person control how fast they speak, average words per minute: why does it matter, how average speaking speed varies.

There are a number of factors that can affect how fast someone speaks. Here are  some of the most common reasons:

In regular conditions,  the average person speaks at a rate of 125 to 200 words per minute. The rate may be different based on the person’s age, gender, and mother tongue. However, the speaking rate will vary depending on his situation. For example, if the person is nervous, they might speak faster than usual. If the person is bored or tired, they might speak slower than usual.

The average number of words per minute can increase or decrease depending on the complexity of the terms being used. If you’re speaking to an audience of experts on a complicated topic and using highly technical jargon, your speech will naturally slow down so that everyone can understand what you’re saying.

On the other hand, if you’re speaking with a group of friends about something that doesn’t require complex language, your speech will naturally be faster.

You may have noticed that the average rate of speech is given in terms of words per minute, rather than syllables or sounds. This is because pausing between words is a normal and essential part of speech. In fact, if you were to speak at a rate of one syllable per second, it would sound very odd and choppy.

There can be different types of  pauses in speech, such as:

• Breath pauses , which happen when you take a breath in between phrases or sentences.
• Thinking pauses happen when you need a moment to think about what you’re going to say next.
• Emotional pauses can add emphasis or communicate how you’re feeling about what you’re saying.
• Verbal pauses happen when you take a moment to let someone else speak or to give them time to respond.

The average words per minute can also be affected by the difficulty of the topic. If you’re giving a presentation on a complex subject that is new to you, your speech will naturally be slower than if you were discussing something that you are familiar with. On the other hand,  if you’re discussing a topic that is easy for you, your speech will naturally be faster.

When speaking to an audience, the speaking rate can change based on how well you know them. If you are familiar with the people in your audience, you will speak more quickly than if they were complete strangers.

This is because you will be more comfortable and have a better understanding of their level of knowledge.

You will also take into account their age, gender, and culture when speaking to them. For example, you might speak more slowly to an older person or someone from a different culture so that they can understand you better.

The urgency of the situation can also affect your speaking speed. If you’re giving a speech that has a lot of time pressure, such as in an interview or debate, you’ll speak faster than if you were delivering a presentation with no time limit.

Anxiety and stress can also affect speaking speed. If you’re nervous about giving a speech, you may speak more quickly than usual. However, if your anxiety is so severe that it prevents you from speaking, you may be diagnosed with selective mutism .

Cultural variances can also affect words per minute. For example, in some cultures, it is considered impolite to speak quickly, while in others it is seen as a sign of confidence. In some cases, the language itself may dictate how quickly someone speaks.

Some languages, such as Spanish or Italian, have more syllables per word than English, so people who speak these languages tend to speak more slowly.

There are a few things that you can do to try to control your speaking speed. If you’re nervous about speaking, practice beforehand so that you can get a feel for the natural flow of your speech. It may also help to focus on breathing deeply and evenly. You can also try to be aware of how fast you’re speaking and make an effort to slow down when you need to.

However, it’s important to note that there is no one “correct” speaking speed. What matters most is how well you’re understood, not how quickly or slowly you’re speaking. So if you find that you’re naturally a fast speaker, don’t worry – as long as your audience can understand you, you’re doing just fine.

So why is it important to know your average words per minute? Well, there are a few reasons.

If you’re giving a speech or presentation, knowing your average words per minute can help you to stay within the time limit that you’ve set for yourself. It can also help you to pace your speech evenly, so that you’re not speaking too quickly in some places and too slow in others.

If you’re a student or someone who is learning English as a second language, knowing your average words per minute can help you to track your progress. It can be helpful to know whether you are speaking more slowly than usual because of the difficulty of the topic, or because you’re feeling anxious.

Besides, if you’re interested in finding out how fast you speak compared to other people, knowing your average words per minute can be a fun way to see where you fall on the spectrum.

Although it’s difficult to estimate exactly how many words per minute one speaks, we can get a general idea of the average person’s speaking speed. This information can be helpful for people who want to become better public speakers or improve their vocal delivery when recording audio content.

Keep in mind that everyone speaks at different speeds, so don’t worry if you’re not on the high end of the scale – just aim to be as clear and concise as possible when communicating with others. Do you know your average words per minute?

Related Posts:

Speaking Speed – How to Perfect Your Pace

Welcome to the second post in a series of articles on vocal variety for speakers and presenters. In the previous article, I shared some ideas about how  public speakers can make the most of their voice projection.

Today, I'd like to show you to make the most of your speaking speed.

Vocal Variety - How Fast Do You speak?

The speed at which you deliver your verbal messages is is another critical element of  vocal variety. 

• Speak too fast, and your audience will struggle to keep up
• Speak too slowly and they will drift off.

In my experience, speaking too fast is one of the most common faults of inexperienced speakers.  Often it's due to nerves.  If we are scared of speaking in front of a group, our flight response kicks in and we speed up to get it over with as quickly as possible.

Have you ever been in an audience listening to someone who speaks too fast?

Typically, several things happen:

• We don't have time to process the information being presented because it is coming at us so quickly and so it goes in one ear and out the other
• The speaker's words may run into each other making it difficult for us to make out what he or she is saying
• Listening becomes too hard and so we stop and think about something easier - like what's for lunch

What is the ideal speaking speed?

Most people are simply not aware of how fast or how slow they talk, or of whether their speaking speed causes any problems for their listeners.

By now, you are probably wondering what is the ideal speaking speed and how do we measure it?

Usually, we measure the rate of speech in terms of words per minute. Did you know that you have the ability to speak anywhere between 100 and 300 words per minute?

Our natural conversational speed typically ranges between 150-180 words per minute (wpm.)  This is fine when we are chatting informally with a few friends but is almost certainly too fast for a presentation or speech.

By comparison, former US President, Barak Obama used to speak at around 100 words per minute when giving a speech!  But then he was the US president and he was speaking to international audiences.  As an experienced speaker, I believe that an average of  120-130 wpm is about right for most occasions.

So far I have just looked at average speaking speed .  I am not recommending that you speak at the same speed all the time.

It is possible (and preferable) to vary your speaking speed and still achieve the average speeds I mentioned above.

Exercises to help you slow down

Identify a passage of text from a document, company report or speech and select a section that is exactly 130 words long. (Most word processors have a word count facility.)

Now read this passage out loud at your usual speed while someone times you on their smartphone.

Finally, divide the time into the number of words to calculate your delivery rate.   For example, if you took 50 seconds to say the 130 words your delivery speed would be 156 words per minute

If it's more than 130 words a minute, try again. Deliberately slow down and see if you can get it closer to or slightly below the 130 wpm target.

I know from personal experience that most people struggle to hit the 130 wpm target first time around. I also know that when you do hit it, you'll probably feel that you are speaking way too slowly.

Relax, you're not, it's just that your brain has got used to talking faster. Speaking slower will feel unfamiliar, to begin with, but will get easier the more you practice this exercise.

Practice your pauses

As a small child, my teachers taught me that "silence is golden." Probably in the hope that they would have an easier life. Today I know better. I understand that we all have something to say and that speaking out is a fundamental human right. That said, knowing when to hold a pause, is another essential element of vocal variety.

• Pauses give you time to  think or to glance at your notes if your mind goes blank
• Pauses give your audience time to digest your messages and create memory-hooks 
• Pauses give your audience time to consider the answers to any rhetorical questions that you may have asked.

Pausing is difficult because we are not used to it in everyday speech. In conversation, when we pause, the silence is invariably filled by one of the other people in the group. When we present, this doesn't happen, and a couple of seconds of silence feels like an eternity.  However, you can reset your threshold for pauses, with a little practice.

How to make holding silence easier

Whenever you ask your audience a question, rhetorical or make an important point, insert a deliberate pause of at least five seconds. You can overcome your natural wish to fill the gap by counting slowly to five in your head.  When your brain has something to do, it can cope easily with the silence. Over time repeat this exercise, increasing the count from five seconds to 7 seconds, and then to 10 seconds, until it comes naturally.

Alternatively, you can ask your audience a question and then stay silent until somebody answers. To make this easier, ask yourself the following question.  "I wonder how long it will take for someone to answer?" And then count slowly and steadily in your head until a reply is forthcoming. The more you practice this, the easier it will get to create powerful pauses.

In conclusion

If you are serious about becoming a better speaker, you need to learn how to make the most of your vocal variety. So far I've looked at voice projection and speaking speed. In my next article, I'll look at tone and resonance so look out for that one coming soon.

In the meantime, if you found this article helpful please leave a comment and also share it with your friends.

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Presentation Time Calculator

PT Time Controller

보다 정확하게 측정하고 싶다면, Customize를 이용하세요.

1. If you scroll right or left, it will calculate PT time according to corresponding speed. 2. You can consider your speech speed and the interval of your PPT pages .

140 WPM (Words Per Minute)

* 매우 천천히 설명하는 발표는 330 CPM까지도 내려갑니다.

1. Read your script for 20 seconds using below stopwatch. 2. Enter the script as much as you just read and it will calculate PT time about total script. 3. If you have PPT, enter the number of PPT pages, the interval of PPT pages and the time to view materials.

2021.03.18. Modified