Speech length calculator: words per minute to time
How many words is a 3-minute speech? How long will your 800-word eulogy take to say? Set your speaking pace, then turn minutes into words or paste your draft to time it.
520 words
≈ 2.1 typed A4 pages at 12pt, or 7 cue cards
How that compares
- Best man speech3–5 min · right in range
- Maid of honor speech3–5 min · right in range
- Father of the bride speech4–6 min · right in range
- Groom speech4–6 min · right in range
- Wedding toast1–2 min · longer than usual
- Eulogy3–6 min · right in range
- Graduation speech5–8 min · shorter than usual
- Retirement speech3–5 min · right in range
- Birthday speech2–4 min · right in range
Words per minute, at a glance
Planning figures at three common speaking paces. Most wedding and funeral speakers land near 130 words a minute once pauses for laughter, tears and applause are counted.
| Length | Slow (110 wpm) | Relaxed (130 wpm) | Brisk (150 wpm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 minute | 110 | 130 | 150 |
| 2 minutes | 220 | 260 | 300 |
| 3 minutes | 330 | 390 | 450 |
| 4 minutes | 440 | 520 | 600 |
| 5 minutes | 550 | 650 | 750 |
| 6 minutes | 660 | 780 | 900 |
| 7 minutes | 770 | 910 | 1050 |
| 8 minutes | 880 | 1040 | 1200 |
| 10 minutes | 1100 | 1300 | 1500 |
| 15 minutes | 1650 | 1950 | 2250 |
| 20 minutes | 2200 | 2600 | 3000 |
Why your real time will differ
Word count is only half of timing. Three things move the number:
- Nerves. Most people speed up by 10–20% in front of a crowd. Rehearse at the pace you want, and mark pauses on your cards.
- Laughter and reactions. A good laugh can take five to ten seconds. A funny five-minute speech often runs closer to six.
- Emotion. Eulogies are usually delivered more slowly, around 110–120 words a minute, with longer pauses.
The fix is the same in every case: read the speech aloud, standing up, with a timer, at least three times. Then use the speech writer to make it shorter if it overruns.
Questions
How many words is a 3-minute speech?
About 390 words at a relaxed 130 words per minute, or roughly 330 to 450 depending on your pace.
How many words is a 5-minute speech?
About 650 words at 130 words per minute; 550 if you speak slowly, 750 if you speak briskly.
How many words per minute is a normal speaking pace?
Conversational English runs roughly 120 to 150 words per minute. For a speech, around 130 is comfortable for listeners and leaves room to pause.
How long is a 1,000-word speech?
Around seven and a half minutes at 130 words per minute.