How Many Words Is a 5-Minute Speech?

Short answer: a 5-minute speech is about 650 words at a comfortable presentation pace of 130 words per minute. Depending on how fast you talk, it can be anywhere from about 550 words (slow) to 800 words (fast).

5-minute speech word count by speaking pace

The word count of a speech depends on one thing: your speaking pace, measured in words per minute (wpm). Multiply the minutes you have by your pace and you get the number of words to write.

For most people giving a planned talk, aim for 600 to 700 words. That leaves a little room for pauses, laughter or a slide change and still fits the 5-minute slot.

How we worked out these numbers

Words for a speech = minutes × words per minute. For example, 5 minutes × 130 wpm = 650 words. The National Center for Voice and Speech gives about 150 words per minute as the average conversational rate for English speakers in the US (NCVS, Voice Qualities). Planned speeches are usually a bit slower than conversation because speakers pause for effect and speak more clearly, which is why we use 130 wpm as the everyday default.

Speech length chart: 1 to 20 minutes

How to find your own speaking pace

Everyone talks at a different speed, so the most accurate number is your own. It takes about two minutes to find it:

1. Take a page of your script (or any text) and start a timer.
2. Read it out loud for exactly one minute, the way you would on the day.
3. Mark where you stopped and count the words you read. That number is your words per minute.
4. Multiply it by 5 to get your personal 5-minute word count.

Tip: paste the text you read into the Word Counter to count the words instantly instead of counting by hand.

Tips for writing a 5-minute speech

• Write slightly short. Nerves usually make people speak faster, but pauses, applause and stumbles add time. A draft of about 600 words is a safe target.
• Keep to three main points. Five minutes is enough for an opening, three short sections of about 150 to 200 words each, and a closing.
• Use short sentences. They are easier to say and easier for listeners to follow.
• Rehearse with a timer. Read the full speech aloud at least twice and cut or add a few lines until it fits.

Check your speech in seconds

Paste your script into our free Speaking Time Calculator. It counts the words and shows how long the speech will take at a slow, average or fast pace, or at your own words per minute. You can also add a pause between paragraphs for slide changes. Your text stays in your browser.