ScriptfoxHow many words in a 10-minute speech?
A 10-minute speech is about 1,500 words at an average speaking pace of 150 words a minute: around 1,250 words if you speak slowly (125 a minute) and up to 1,750 if you speak fast (175).
Target 10:00 is about 1,500 words at this pace.
Conversational: most YouTube talking heads
Trims or stretches it to about 1,500 words, in your voice. Free, three a day.
ScriptFox scrolls as you speak, so you keep your eyes on the camera. Free, no card.
What fits in 10 minutes
Ten minutes is about 1,500 words. It is a complete lesson or product review: the setup, the demonstration, the comparison, the verdict.
At this length an outline matters more than the prose. Write the five or six section headings first, give each a time, and only then write the words. A ten-minute script that was written straight through usually has a nine-minute middle and a one-minute end.
Words at every pace
Slow is 125 words a minute, average 150, fast 175. This length is marked; the others link to their own pages.
| Length | Slow (125 wpm) | Average (150 wpm) | Fast (175 wpm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 seconds0:30 | 63 | 75 | 88 |
| 1 minute1:00 | 125 | 150 | 175 |
| 2 minutes2:00 | 250 | 300 | 350 |
| 3 minutes3:00 | 375 | 450 | 525 |
| 5 minutes5:00 | 625 | 750 | 875 |
| 8 minutes8:00 | 1,000 | 1,200 | 1,400 |
| 10 minutes10:00 | 1,250 | 1,500 | 1,750 |
| 15 minutes15:00 | 1,875 | 2,250 | 2,625 |
| 20 minutes20:00 | 2,500 | 3,000 | 3,500 |
| 30 minutes30:00 | 3,750 | 4,500 | 5,250 |
Frequently asked questions
How many words is a ten-minute speech?
About 1,500 words at an average pace of 150 words a minute; about 1,250 spoken slowly and 1,750 spoken fast.
How many pages is a ten-minute speech?
About six pages double-spaced or three single-spaced, in a 12-point font. The timer on this page gives the exact time at your own pace from the words themselves.
How long should a ten-minute video's script take to read on camera?
Longer than ten minutes, the first time. Plan for retakes: most people record a ten-minute script in 20 to 30 minutes of footage. A teleprompter that follows your voice cuts that down, because a stumble does not mean starting the section over.
Written. Timed. Now read it to the camera.
ScriptFox follows your voice so you never lose your line. Free to try, no card required.