Word Count for Speeches: How Many Words Per Minute?
Determine the number of words in a speech by the length of time and speaking rate. Discover the word count of your 5, 10, 15, 30 and 60 minute speeches.
Quick Summary
- Most speeches are around 125–150 words per minute. This is a nice average range as it will ensure your speech is clear and easy to understand for the audience, and remains natural.
- A safe word for 130 words per minute. For instance, a 10 minute speech is approximately 1,300 words and a 5 minute address is approximately 650 words.
- Fewer words are required at lower rates of speech. Normal speaking rates are between 100 and 120 words per minute for emotional speeches, formal speeches, academic presentations, and topics that are serious.
- The higher the speed the more words are required. Speeches, presentations, sales pitches, energetic talk and casual updates can be at 160 words per minute or faster, but it will be difficult for the audience to comprehend if the speed is too rapid.
- Test your speech orally. The word count tables provide planning guidance, but the actual timing will vary based on pauses, audience response, slides, transitions and your own speaking style.
How Many Words Per Minute in a Speech?
I have written this guide to help you estimate how long your speech will be without guessing. Typically, the average rate of speech is:
- The optimum typing speed is generally somewhere between 125 and 150 words per minute, since this allows you to type your words distinctly without typing too slowly.
- For most presentations, it is the perfect range to give the audience enough time to process what you are saying, without causing them to feel rushed.
- The slower speaker could speak at 100–120 words per minute, the faster speaker at 160–180 words per minute. When giving speeches, it is best to go slower when you are speaking formally, emotionally or about a subject that is complicated.
General Speech Speed Guide
| Speaking Pace | Words Per Minute | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Slow | 100–120 WPM | Emotional speeches, storytelling, serious topics |
| Average | 125–150 WPM | Most presentations and public speeches |
| Fast | 160–180 WPM | Energetic talks, casual updates, experienced speakers |
| Very fast | 180+ WPM | Usually too fast for formal speeches |
A good target for most speakers is 130 words per minute when writing a speech.These are the numbers to start with but may vary depending on pauses, emotion, and the reactions of the audience.
Speech Word Count by Length
The table below will allow you to estimate how many words you will need for your speech depending on the length of your speech.
| Speech Length | Slow Pace 100 WPM | Average Pace 130 WPM | Fast Pace 160 WPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 minute | 100 words | 130 words | 160 words |
| 2 minutes | 200 words | 260 words | 320 words |
| 3 minutes | 300 words | 390 words | 480 words |
| 5 minutes | 500 words | 650 words | 800 words |
| 7 minutes | 700 words | 910 words | 1,120 words |
| 10 minutes | 1,000 words | 1,300 words | 1,600 words |
| 15 minutes | 1,500 words | 1,950 words | 2,400 words |
| 20 minutes | 2,000 words | 2,600 words | 3,200 words |
| 30 minutes | 3,000 words | 3,900 words | 4,800 words |
| 45 minutes | 4,500 words | 5,850 words | 7,200 words |
| 60 minutes | 6,000 words | 7,800 words | 9,600 words |
The numbers are approximate figures. The length of your final speech will also depend on pausing, audience response, slides, transitions and questions.
For Example: If I'm writing a speech that is five minutes long, sometimes I don't write 650 words each time. Normally I try to keep my speeches between 600 and 700 words and allow for pauses, emphasis and a natural speaking manner.
How to Calculate Speech Word Count
To calculate your speech word count, use this formula:
Speech length in minutes × words per minute = total word count
For page-length planning, see word count in pages; for written assignments, see word count for essays.
For example:
5-minute speech × 130 words per minute = 650 words
So, a 5-minute speech should usually be around 600 to 750 words, depending on your pace.
Quick Formula by Speaking Style
If you speak slowly:
Minutes × 100 to 120 words
If you speak at an average pace:
Minutes × 125 to 150 words
If you speak quickly:
Minutes × 160 words or more
The rule of planning is to use fewer words than you need to write. A speech that is somewhat shorter will be easier to deal with than a rushed one.
Recommended Words Per Minute by Speech Type
| Speech Type | Recommended WPM | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wedding speech | 100–130 WPM | Leave room for emotion and laughter |
| Business presentation | 120–150 WPM | Keep it clear and confident |
| Keynote speech | 120–140 WPM | Use pauses for impact |
| Academic presentation | 110–140 WPM | Slow down for complex points |
| Sales pitch | 130–160 WPM | Keep energy high but controlled |
| Video narration | 130–160 WPM | Depends on visuals and editing |
| Podcast script | 130–170 WPM | Conversational pacing works best |
| Motivational speech | 120–150 WPM | Vary pace for emphasis |
How to Choose the Right Word Count for Your Speech
Choose a reasonable speaking rate after setting the time limit.
Use for most speeches:
130 words per minute
Then modify as per the delivery:
Aim to use fewer words when speaking out of an emotional, formal, technical or slide-heavy speech.
Speak more formally, with energy, or in a conversational manner, using more words.
For Example: If your keynote is 10 minutes in length, don't just try to hit 1,500 words. However, a keynote will require pauses, stories, and emphasis which could make 1,200–1,350 words more appropriate.
How to Test Your Actual Words Per Minute
The easiest method I've found is to read through your speech and time yourself. The best method for determining your speaking rate is to practise speaking it out loud.
The easiest way is:
- Select a 300-word portion of your speech.
- Read it aloud in a natural manner.
- Time yourself.
- Calculate the number of words per minute. Work out how many words the person reads in a minute.
If you read 300 words in 2.5 minutes, for example:
300 ÷ 2.5 = 120 words per minute
That is, your natural speaking rate is approximately 120 WPM.
Repeat this process several times. The pace might vary depending on how you get more familiar with the content.
Tips for Managing Speech Length
A good speech is not only of the correct length. It should also reflect natural, clear and easy-to-follow sound.
Write for speaking, not reading
Spoken language should be simpler than written language. Keep sentences short, use transitions and natural phrasing.
Cut filler words
Eliminate words that impart no meaning, like “in order to,” “it is important to note that,” or “at this point in time.”
Leave space for pauses
Make sure that there is no word for every second. Pauses add power and confidence to your delivery.
Practice with a timer
Silent reading is not counted. Timed practice is always out loud – not at the reading rate.
Mark important pauses
Use pauses, slowing down, or emphasis in your script to manage pacing.
Prepare a shorter version
Prepare some lines or examples to cut if time is short. This will help you complete the finish rather than rushing.
Common Speech Word Count Mistakes
Writing too many words
This is the most common error. They may be short to read but longer to speak.
Ignoring pauses
Pauses are a component of your delivery. Unless you plan for them otherwise, you could overrun the time limit for your speech.
Speaking too fast
A rapid oratory can make one appear nervous and difficult for the listener to comprehend your message.
Overloading the introduction
The beginning of your work needs to be strong and to-the-point. Be mindful of time for main points and conclusions.
Forgetting transitions
Transitions aid the flow of your audience tracking your structure. They also require time, so count them among your word count.
Quick Tips and Guidelines for Speech Word Count
- The average speaking rate is 125 to 150 words per minute. If you're trying to keep it safe, you can go with 130 words per minute.
- If a speech can be delivered in 15 minutes, it can be written in 1950 words, a 10-minute speech will be 1300 words, and a 5-minute speech will be 650 words.
- Faster rate of speech requires more words and slower rate requires less. I recommend that you rehearse your speech with a timer at least once so that you can plan when you need to use a shorter or longer amount of words when you actually give the speech.
Interesting Research Facts
Full citations are in Sources below.
Average oral reading rate: 183 WPM
With scripted speech, the speed tends to be more or less in line with oral reading speed. Brysbaert's meta-analysis indicated an average adult oral reading rate for English of 183 words per minute, and the length of a 5-minute scripted speech is approximately 900 words.
Source: ScienceDirect
Standard presentation pace: 160–170 WPM
160-170 WPM is generally regarded as normal/moderate, and 120 WPM as slow, while 200+ WPM is considered fast.
Monologues and lectures can exceed 190 WPM
A recent study of contemporary British English revealed an average rate of 198 WPM in formats like news monologues, interviews, conversations, and academic lecture speech.
Source: Francis Academic Press
Overall WPM can hide real delivery speed
The work of Kelly and Steer indicates that there could be great variation in speech rate at the sentence level, and that speakers may have a much higher speech rate than the average WPM. Scripts are not just about word count.Pauses must be scheduled in scripts, not just measured by word count.
Source: ASHA
Comprehension stays strong until very high speeds
There is a fairly good stability of listening comprehension with increasing rate, and in recent experiments, a definite loss of comprehension begins only at around 315 WPM.
Source: Taylor & Francis Online
Frequently Asked Questions
1.How many words does it take for a 5-minute speech?
I typically suggest 600 to 750 words for a 5-minute speech. This will allow you to pause and will allow for a natural speaking speed.
2.Can you make a 5 minute speech out of 700 words?
If you are speaking at a normal rate, then yes, 700 words will be sufficient for a 5 minute speech. If you find that you tend to pause a lot, you might consider keeping it between 600-650 words.
3.What is the optimum number of words for a 5-minute speech?
Speakers will likely feel rushed if the speech is more than 800 words. I would only use those many words in a fast, casual, very conversational speech.
4.Should I try to get the exact word count?
No, I suggest not a word count number, but a word count range. The time you are going to take will be defined by your own speed, breaks, confidence and response from the audience.
5.When should I know when my speech is too long?
The best way is to read it out loud with a timer. Silent reading is not accurate as most people read at a pace faster than they can speak.
6.If I have a fixed word count should I cut back on the words?
Yes. If you do need to keep your speech to a designated time limit, I recommend that you spend 15 to 30 seconds less than the time limit – to avoid rushing through your speech.
7.When I practice my speech, why does it take longer to say?
Your speech might sound longer due to pauses, emphasis, breathing, transitions or when you feel the need to slow down.
8.Are there any restrictions on word count for each speech?
130 WPM is a good beginning but may be different for different types of speech and speaking style.
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