How long does it take to say 1,000 words?
At an average presentation pace of about 130 words per minute, 1,000 words takes roughly 7 minutes 42 seconds. The table below uses the same formula as the calculator, minutes = words ÷ words per minute:
| Words | Slow (100 wpm) | Average (130 wpm) | Conversational (150 wpm) | Fast (170 wpm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 1 min 0 s | 0 min 46 s | 0 min 40 s | 0 min 35 s |
| 250 | 2 min 30 s | 1 min 55 s | 1 min 40 s | 1 min 28 s |
| 500 | 5 min 0 s | 3 min 51 s | 3 min 20 s | 2 min 56 s |
| 750 | 7 min 30 s | 5 min 46 s | 5 min 0 s | 4 min 25 s |
| 1,000 | 10 min 0 s | 7 min 42 s | 6 min 40 s | 5 min 53 s |
| 1,500 | 15 min 0 s | 11 min 32 s | 10 min 0 s | 8 min 49 s |
| 2,000 | 20 min 0 s | 15 min 23 s | 13 min 20 s | 11 min 46 s |
How many words for a given time?
Multiply the minutes by your pace: words = minutes × words per minute. At 130 wpm, a 5-minute talk needs about 650 words, a 10-minute video about 1,300 words and a 20-minute keynote about 2,600 words.
Which speaking pace should you choose?
- Slow (about 100 wpm): formal speeches, technical explanations, speaking to non-native listeners, or reading with deliberate pauses.
- Average (about 130 wpm): most presentations and lectures.
- Conversational (about 150 wpm): podcasts, YouTube talking-head videos and relaxed conversation.
- Fast (about 170 wpm): energetic short-form video and experienced presenters.
These are typical ranges, not rules. The best number is your own: read a 200-word passage aloud at your normal speed, time it, and divide 200 by the minutes. Enter that as a custom pace.
Tips for timing a script
- Add time for pauses and slides. Plan for roughly 10% extra in live talks.
- Cut, don't rush. If a script runs long, remove words rather than speaking faster.
- Write for the ear. Short sentences are easier to say and keep the pace steady.
- For video, aim for the length the content needs. Long-form YouTube videos over 8 minutes can show mid-roll ads, which matters for YouTube earnings, but only if viewers keep watching.