About

Delivering a presentation within a strict time limit is a common challenge for professionals and students. Whether it is a 5-minute lightning talk or a 20-minute keynote, knowing your script's duration is critical. Reading speed varies significantly based on context: a casual podcast conversation flows faster than a technical lecture.

This tool calculates the estimated duration of a text based on word count and Words Per Minute (WPM). It allows customization to match your personal cadence or specific industry standards (e.g., Audiobooks vs. News Broadcasting).

Formulas

The duration T is calculated as:

T_min = WordCountWPM

To convert to Minutes and Seconds:

Minutes = floor(T_min)
Seconds = (T_min − Minutes) × 60

Reference Data

Speaking Style	Avg Speed (WPM)	Use Case
Slow / Emphatic	100 - 110	Dictation, Complex concepts, Sermons.
Conversational	120 - 140	Podcasts, Casual YouTube videos, Teaching.
Audiobook / Presentation	150 - 160	Standard reading speed, Keynotes.
Fast / Radio	160 - 180	News anchors, Commercials, Excited narratives.
Auctioneer / Debater	250+	Rapid fire delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Paste a 200-word script into the tool, start a stopwatch, read it aloud at your normal pace, and stop the watch. Divide 200 by the minutes taken (e.g., 1.5 min) to get your WPM.

This calculator counts words. However, a script heavy with commas and periods requires more pauses. If your text is dense, select a "Slow" speed setting to compensate for the pauses.

Adrenaline often makes people speak faster during actual presentations. Conversely, technical glitches or audience interaction can slow you down. Always leave a 10-15% buffer.

Yes. 130 WPM is widely considered the "Goldilocks" zone for comprehension - fast enough to maintain interest, but slow enough for the audience to digest the information.