Words per minute guide
| Length of speech | About how many words (130 wpm) |
|---|---|
| 1 minute | 130 |
| 2 minutes | 260 |
| 3 minutes | 390 |
| 5 minutes | 650 |
| 10 minutes | 1,300 |
| 20 minutes | 2,600 |
Most people speak somewhere between 120 and 160 words per minute in presentations. Wedding toasts and eulogies often run slower because of pauses and emotion; podcasts and YouTube voiceovers run faster. A large 2019 review found adults read silently at about 238 words per minute on average.
Tip: time yourself reading one paragraph aloud, count the words, and enter your own speed for the most accurate estimate.
Words to Minutes Calculator FAQs
How many words is a 5-minute speech?
About 650 words at an average speaking pace of 130 words per minute.
How long is a 1,000-word speech?
About 7.5 minutes at 130 wpm — between 6 and 10 minutes depending on your pace.
Is my information saved or sent anywhere?
No. Everything is calculated in your browser and nothing is sent to a server.