Free Tool
Script Timer
Paste your script to see how long it takes to read aloud. Pick a speaking pace and a platform, and the timer shows the read time, the time left, or how many seconds to cut.
Speaking pace
Platform or format
Target length
0:00
Estimated read time
0
Spoken words
0
Words that fit
Paste a script to compare it with your target.
Read-aloud stopwatch
Read your script aloud at recording pace, then stop the clock to compare your real time with the estimate.
Script fits? Read it on a scrolling teleprompter set to the same pace.
Your script and pace carry over to the teleprompter in this browser.
How long is my script?
Divide the spoken words by your pace in words per minute. At a conversational 130 WPM, a 15-second video holds about 33 words, a 30-second ad about 65, a 60-second Reel or TikTok about 130, and a 3-minute YouTube Short about 390. Energetic social videos run near 160 WPM and fast ad reads near 180, so the same script finishes sooner.
How the script timer calculates read time
The formula is read time in seconds = spoken words ÷ WPM × 60. A 210-word script at 160 WPM runs 210 ÷ 160 × 60 = 79 seconds, or 1:19. The timer counts every run of letters or numbers as a word, so contractions such as don't and figures such as 2026 each count once.
Creator scripts carry notes that never reach the microphone: [B-roll: unboxing], [cut to screen], [pause]. With Skip [bracketed] directions switched on, anything inside square brackets is left out of the word count, so the estimate reflects only the lines you say.
The four pace presets cover the common delivery styles. 100 WPM suits slow, dramatic narration and documentary reads. 130 WPM is a relaxed, conversational talking-head pace. 160 WPM matches the quick, punchy delivery of TikTok and Reels creators. 180 WPM is a fast commercial or ad read. Drag the slider anywhere from 80 to 250 WPM to match your own voice.
Need a quick conversion for a speech or presentation rather than a video? The speech time calculator turns a word count into minutes, or a target length into a word count.
How many words fit in 15, 30, 60 and 90 seconds
Word budgets for common video and ad lengths at each pace preset, rounded to the nearest word.
| Length | 100 WPM · Slow | 130 WPM · Conversational | 160 WPM · Energetic | 180 WPM · Fast ad |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 seconds | 25 words | 33 words | 40 words | 45 words |
| 30 seconds | 50 words | 65 words | 80 words | 90 words |
| 45 seconds | 75 words | 98 words | 120 words | 135 words |
| 60 seconds | 100 words | 130 words | 160 words | 180 words |
| 90 seconds | 150 words | 195 words | 240 words | 270 words |
| 2 minutes | 200 words | 260 words | 320 words | 360 words |
| 3 minutes | 300 words | 390 words | 480 words | 540 words |
| 5 minutes | 500 words | 650 words | 800 words | 900 words |
| 10 minutes | 1,000 words | 1,300 words | 1,600 words | 1,800 words |
Video length limits and target lengths by platform
The platform presets in the timer use these lengths. Limits are as of October 2026; platforms update them from time to time, so follow the source links for the current wording.
| Platform or format | Length rule | Words at 130 WPM |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube Shorts | Up to 3 minutes with a square or vertical aspect ratio (YouTube Help) | 390 for 3:00 |
| Instagram Reels | Record up to 20 minutes; reels up to 3 minutes are recommended to new audiences (Instagram Help) | 390 for 3:00 |
| TikTok | The upload screen shows each account's current maximum; pick a target length of 15, 30, 60, 90 seconds or 3 minutes | 65 for 0:30, 130 for 1:00 |
| YouTube videos | Up to 15 minutes by default; verified accounts can upload longer videos, up to 12 hours (YouTube Help) | 1,300 for 10:00 |
| Voice-over and ad spots | Standard spot lengths of 15, 30 and 60 seconds; aim one or two seconds under the slot | 65 for 0:30 |
| Podcast segment | Set by your rundown: intros, ad reads and solo segments of 1 to 10 minutes | 650 for 5:00 |
| Song or lyrics | Set by the track length, usually 2 to 4 minutes; sung lines follow the tempo, so time a real run-through with the stopwatch | Varies with tempo |
For more on Shorts, see how long a YouTube Short can be; for writing to a 60-second slot, the TikTok script guide has a copy-paste template.
Check the estimate with a real read
Every voice has its own pace, and the same person reads a punchy hook faster than a careful explanation. The read-aloud stopwatch inside the timer measures yours. Press Start, read the whole script the way you plan to record it, and press Stop. The timer divides your spoken words by the minutes you took and shows your real WPM next to the estimate.
Press Use this pace and every later estimate uses your own number. Two or three timed reads of different scripts give a reliable personal baseline for each style you record, such as a fast hook-driven short and a slower tutorial.
From timed script to teleprompter
Once the script fits, press Open in the free online teleprompter. The online teleprompter opens in this browser with your script loaded and the scroll speed set to the same WPM, so the text moves at exactly the pace the timer assumed. Mirror the text horizontally or vertically for a beam-splitter rig, adjust the font size, and record from your webcam in the same tab.
Record your script on iPhone, iPad or Mac
Teleprompter-Scrolling Scripts is free to download and use. Camera Mode records you on the front camera while the script scrolls beside the lens, Prompter Mode turns the screen into a teleprompter, and Voice Mode records audio for voice-overs and podcasts. Set the scroll speed to the WPM from this timer and record in 1080p with no watermark and no account.
Script timer FAQ
How does a script timer work?
A script timer counts the spoken words in your script and divides them by your speaking pace in words per minute. A 195-word script at 130 WPM runs 1 minute 30 seconds. The timer on this page updates as you type and skips bracketed directions such as [B-roll] so only spoken words count.
How many words is a 60-second video script?
About 130 words at a conversational 130 WPM. A calm, slow read fits around 100 words, an energetic social video around 160, and a fast ad read around 180. Draft a few words under your target so there is room for pauses.
How many words is a 30-second ad or voice-over script?
Roughly 65 words at 130 WPM, 80 words at 160 WPM, and 90 words at a fast 180 WPM ad read. Broadcast spots run to an exact length, so aim one or two seconds under 0:30. The voice over script examples show finished 15-, 30- and 60-second scripts with word counts.
How long can a YouTube Short be?
Up to three minutes, with a square or vertical aspect ratio, according to YouTube Help. At 130 WPM, three minutes holds about 390 spoken words.
How long can an Instagram Reel be?
Instagram Help says you can record reels up to 20 minutes in total, and reels up to 3 minutes are the ones recommended to new audiences. For reach, keep the script within 3 minutes, which is about 390 words at 130 WPM.
How do I find my own speaking pace?
Paste your script, press Start on the read-aloud stopwatch, read the script at your recording pace, and press Stop. The timer divides the word count by the minutes you took and shows your real WPM. Press Use this pace to apply it to the estimate.
What is the difference between the script timer and the speech time calculator?
The script timer is built for video and audio creators: paste a script and check it against a platform length or ad slot. The speech time calculator converts a word count to minutes, or minutes to a word count, for speeches and presentations.
Related guides
Writing and pacing scripts for video, voice-over and podcasts.
