How many words is a 5-minute speech? Speaking times explained
Written by Andrew
Most people speak at roughly 120 to 150 words a minute in a speech or presentation, a little slower than in conversation. Using 130 words a minute as a guide:
| Speech length | Approximate words |
|---|---|
| 1 minute | 130 |
| 2 minutes | 260 |
| 3 minutes | 390 |
| 5 minutes | 650 |
| 10 minutes | 1,300 |
| 15 minutes | 1,950 |
| 20 minutes | 2,600 |
| 30 minutes | 3,900 |
Why your speech might run long
Nerves make some people rush, but pauses, laughter, applause and moments of emotion all add time. Wedding speeches and eulogies in particular often take longer than expected. If you have a hard time limit, write about 10% fewer words than the table suggests.
Speaking speed varies by occasion
- Slower (100 to 120 words a minute): eulogies, readings, and talks with complex ideas or a non-native audience.
- Typical (120 to 150): most presentations, wedding speeches and toasts.
- Faster (150 to 160): confident, conversational speakers and lively talks.
How to time it properly
- Paste your draft into the word counter to get the total.
- Divide by 130 for a rough length in minutes.
- Read it aloud at the pace you'll really use, and time yourself. This is the only truly reliable test.
Tips for a speech that lands
Short sentences are easier to say and easier to follow. Write how you talk, not how you'd write an essay. And leave space for pauses: a speech that finishes slightly early is always better received than one that overruns.