How do I calculate how long my speech is?

Divide the word count by your speaking pace in words per minute. At an average 130 words per minute, 650 words takes about 5 minutes. The free speech time calculator does this for slow, average, fast or custom paces.

How do I time a presentation while I practice?

Use a presentation timer with color cards. Set the minimum and maximum time, start on your first word, and the card turns green, yellow and red as you reach each mark.

Can a teleprompter match my target time?

Yes. In Teleprompter-Scrolling Scripts the scroll speed is set in words per minute, so divide your word count by the target minutes and use that number. For example, 650 words in 5 minutes is 130 words per minute.

How many words are in a 5-minute speech?

About 650 words at an average pace of 130 words per minute. A slower delivery of 100 words per minute fits about 500 words, and a faster one of 160 words per minute about 800.

How do I time my speech or presentation?

Time a speech in three steps. First, paste your script into the free speech time calculator, which converts the word count to minutes at a slow, average or fast pace, or at a custom words per minute. Second, rehearse against the free presentation timer, which shows green, yellow and red cards at your minimum, midpoint and maximum. Third, run the script in Teleprompter-Scrolling Scripts with the scroll speed set in words per minute and record a run-through to hear the real length.

Step 1: Estimate the length from the word count

Paste the full script into the speech time calculator. It reads at 100, 130 or 160 words per minute, or any custom pace, and it also works backwards: enter a target length and it gives the word count to aim for. At an average 130 words per minute, a 2-minute speech is about 260 words and a 5-minute speech about 650.

For common lengths, the word-count guides go deeper: 5-minute speech, 10-minute speech and 15-minute speech.

Step 2: Rehearse with a presentation timer

Open the presentation timer, choose a speech type or set your own card times, and press start on your first word. The card turns green at the minimum time, yellow at the midpoint and red at the maximum. It runs full screen on a laptop, tablet or phone, can beep at each card, and keeps a log of each speaker's time, which suits Toastmasters meetings and class presentations.

Step 3: Rehearse on a teleprompter at your real pace

In Teleprompter-Scrolling Scripts, scroll speed is set in words per minute. Divide your word count by your target minutes to get the speed: 650 words in 5 minutes is 130 words per minute. Record a run-through in Camera mode or Voice mode, and the length of the recording is your real speaking time, pauses included.

The app's Settings also include a Speech Time Calculator and a Speaking Speed Calculator, so you can check timing on the same device you rehearse on.

Adjust the script, keep your natural pace

If the run-through is long, cut words rather than speaking faster. Rushed delivery sounds pressured, while a shorter script read at your natural pace sounds confident. At about 130 words per minute, every 30 seconds you trim is roughly 65 words. See what scroll speed to use for finding your natural pace.