Free Speech Time Calculator
Paste your speech, script, or presentation notes and see how many minutes it runs out loud — live, free, and private.
A speech time calculator converts your word count into speaking minutes at a natural pace of roughly 130 words per minute. Paste your script and Humanit shows the spoken length live — a 650-word script runs about 5 minutes — so you can fit your slot before you rehearse.
How it works
- 1Paste your text. Type or paste your text into the speech time calculator above.
- 2See results instantly. The numbers update live as you type — there’s no button to press.
- 3Edit and re-check. Tweak your text and watch the results change in real time.
How words convert to speaking minutes
Conversational English runs around 130–150 words per minute; formal speeches sit at the slower end because of pauses, emphasis, and audience reaction. This calculator uses ~130 wpm, the planning rate speechwriters use — so a 5-minute slot means roughly 650 words, a 10-minute talk about 1,300, and a 20-minute keynote near 2,600.
Reading time is not speaking time
People read silently much faster than they talk — about 200 wpm versus 130. A script that “reads fine in three minutes” in your head can overrun a three-minute slot badly on stage. Always size scripts, wedding toasts, and video voiceovers by the speaking figure, and leave 10% slack for pauses and ad-libs.
Fitting a time slot
If the estimate runs long, cutting whole points beats talking faster — audiences retain less from rushed delivery than from fewer, well-paced ideas. Paste your script here, check the minutes, trim, and re-check; the text-shortener can do the first pass of tightening for you while keeping every key point.
Free, unlimited, and private
The speech time calculator is free with no sign-up and no limit on how much text you process. Because it runs entirely in your browser, your text is never sent to a server, stored, or used to train any AI — it never leaves your device. When you’re ready to do more with your writing, Humanit’s AI humanizer and AI detector are one click away.
| Slot | Word budget | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 2 minutes | ~260 words | Toast, intro |
| 5 minutes | ~650 words | Class talk, demo |
| 10 minutes | ~1,300 words | Conference slot |
| 20 minutes | ~2,600 words | Keynote, lecture |
| 45 minutes | ~5,800 words | Full lecture |
Frequently asked questions
How many words is a 5-minute speech?
About 650 words at a natural speaking pace of ~130 words per minute. Plan slightly under budget to leave room for pauses and audience reaction.
What speaking speed does the calculator use?
Roughly 130 words per minute — the standard planning rate for spoken delivery. Fast conversational speech can hit 150+, but scripts timed at 130 fit their slots reliably.
Does it work for video scripts and voiceovers?
Yes — voiceover pacing is close to formal speech. For tightly-timed video, read the script aloud once with a stopwatch after using the estimate to plan.
Do I need an account?
No. There’s no sign-up and no install — open the page and start typing.
Does it work on mobile?
Yes — it works in any modern browser on phone, tablet, or desktop.
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Open the AI HumanizerLast updated: July 2026