How long does it take to read or say my text?
Divide the word count by the speed. At an average reading speed of 200 words per minute, a 1,000-word article takes about 5 minutes. At a speaking speed of 130 words per minute, the same text takes about 7 to 8 minutes to say out loud. Speaking is slower than reading because you pronounce each word and pause between ideas.
The speeds this tool uses
| Mode | Words per minute | Characters per minute (CJK) |
|---|---|---|
| Reading, slow | 150 | 400 |
| Reading, average | 200 | 500 |
| Reading, fast | 250 | 600 |
| Speaking | 130 | 300 |
These are fixed estimates built into the page, not studies of your readers. Reading speed varies with the reader, the subject and the language, and it is lower for dense or technical text. We have not claimed language-specific norms, so treat the numbers as a planning guide.
Words to minutes for common talk lengths
| Talk length | Approximate words at 130 wpm |
|---|---|
| 3 minutes | 390 |
| 5 minutes | 650 |
| 10 minutes | 1,300 |
| 20 minutes | 2,600 |
Plan for fewer words if you use slides, show a demo, tell a story or expect questions. Pauses, laughter and visuals all add time that a word count cannot see.
Tips for timing a speech
- Calculate first, then read the script aloud once with a timer. Your own pace is the real test.
- Mark the sections and time each one, so you know where to cut.
- Aim to finish slightly under the limit, because nerves usually speed people up in some places and slow them down in others.
- For a written article, use the average reading time as a label, not a promise.
To count characters for a limit, use the Character Counter. To tighten a draft that runs long, try the Text Summarizer or the Sentence Shortener & Expander.