Speech Script Time Calculator

Estimate time at your entered content rate for speech-script words.

How to use Speech Script Time Calculator

1. Enter Words, Words per Minute in the labelled units. 2. Rate must be positive and means words per minute. The rate stays constant for the estimate. An assumed word rate does not account automatically for pauses, questions, emphasis or audience response. The example is not a recommended speaking speed. 3. Select Calculate or press Enter to see the result. 4. Select Select Copy result to copy the answer, or Reset to clear the form.

Why use this tool?

Use this tool to estimate time at your entered content rate for speech-script words. Use a rehearsed speaking rate for the intended delivery, with pauses handled consistently.

How the calculation works

Duration = words ÷ words per minute; convert to seconds for display. Rate must be positive and means words per minute. The rate stays constant for the estimate. An assumed word rate does not account automatically for pauses, questions, emphasis or audience response. The example is not a recommended speaking speed. A plain duration is minutes; labelled h, min, sec and d are also accepted. One duration day is 24 hours. Results round to the nearest second, and a positive duration below half a second is labelled Less than 1 sec. Entered decimal arithmetic is applied before display rounding. Numeric inputs/results and durations in seconds are bounded by magnitude 9,007,199,254,740,991. Time-unit definitions: https://www.nist.gov/pml/special-publication-811/nist-guide-si-chapter-5-units-outside-si

Example

Speech Script example: 2400 words ÷ an assumed 120 words/minute = 20 min.

Practical tip

Use a rehearsed speaking rate for the intended delivery, with pauses handled consistently.