You've been given five minutes for a toast, a class presentation or a conference slot. How much should you write? The short answer: about 750 words.
Why 150 words per minute
Most people speak at somewhere between 120 and 160 words per minute when presenting. 150 wpm is a comfortable pace for a clear, confident speech with natural pauses — fast enough to keep attention, slow enough to be understood.
Silent reading is much faster (around 238 wpm for an average adult), which is why a script that takes three minutes to read can take five to deliver.
Speech length chart
| Speech length | Words (at ~150 wpm) |
|---|---|
| 1 minute | 150 |
| 2 minutes | 300 |
| 3 minutes | 450 |
| 5 minutes | 750 |
| 10 minutes | 1,500 |
| 15 minutes | 2,250 |
| 20 minutes | 3,000 |
| 30 minutes | 4,500 |
Adjust for your style
- Slower speakers, formal events, or a non-native audience: plan for 120–130 wpm, so a 5-minute speech is 600–650 words.
- Fast, conversational talks: 160–170 wpm, around 800–850 words for five minutes.
- Slides, demos or audience questions: cut words to leave time for them. A pause to let a slide land is time you're not speaking.
- Jokes and toasts: leave gaps for laughter.
When in doubt, write less. Nobody complains that a speech ended 30 seconds early.
How to time your own speech
- Paste your script into the free Reading Time Calculator. It shows the word count, reading time and a speaking time estimate at 150 wpm.
- Trim or expand until the speaking time fits your slot, with a little to spare.
- Read it aloud with a timer — set the focus length in the Pomodoro Timer to your slot and use it as a countdown. Your real pace is what matters.
- If you run long, cut whole points rather than speaking faster.
Tips for hitting your time
- Mark checkpoints. Note where you should be at the halfway point.
- Rehearse out loud at least twice. Silent read-throughs underestimate time.
- Keep a cuttable section you can drop if you're running over.
- Write for the ear: short sentences are easier to say and easier to follow.
FAQ
How many pages is a 5-minute speech? Around 1.5 pages double-spaced or 1–1.5 single-spaced, depending on font size.
How long is a TED talk? TED talks are capped at 18 minutes — roughly 2,500–2,700 words.
How long is a wedding toast? Three to five minutes, or 450–750 words, is the sweet spot.
Try it now
Check your script with the free Reading Time Calculator, or count words with the Word Counter.
Related reading
See How Long Does It Take to Read 1,000 Words? and How to Hit an Exact Word Count Every Time.