How to Estimate Speaking Time From a Word Count

Quick answer

Divide the number of spoken words by your pace in words per minute. Add planned pauses separately if your pace measurement excludes them.

Open Speaking Time Calculator

Step by step

Count the words you will say aloud. Include headings or quoted material only if you will read them.
Choose a pace from a timed rehearsal or use a small range. Divide words by words per minute to estimate the length.
Convert the fractional minute to seconds and allow time for planned pauses, demonstrations or audience questions.

Worked examples

A pace range

600 words at 120 words per minute takes 5:00. At 150 words per minute it takes 4:00. Add 30 seconds of planned pauses to get 5:30 or 4:30.

Measure your own pace

Time yourself reading a representative 225-word excerpt. If it takes 1 minute 30 seconds, divide 225 by 1.5 to get 150 words per minute. Repeat and compare the results.

What to check

If your rehearsal pace already includes natural pauses, keep those pauses in the measured pace. Add only the additional events you have left out.