Speaking rate test
Find out how fast you speak in words per minute. Pick a passage, press Start, read it aloud at your normal pace, and stop on the last word. Nothing is recorded.
Typical paces: about 110 wpm is slow and deliberate, 130 wpm suits presentations, 150 wpm is conversational, and 160 to 180 wpm is a brisk voice-over or ad read.
Every evening at six, Marta climbed the ninety steps of the lighthouse and wound the old clock by hand. The lamp had been automatic for years, but she liked the routine. From the top she could see the fishing boats coming home, the ferry turning in the harbor, and the long line of streetlights blinking on along the coast road. Visitors sometimes asked whether she was lonely up there. She always laughed and pointed at the radio, the kettle, and the stack of letters from people who had stayed in the cottage below. The truth was simpler. She had never felt more connected to the town than when she was looking down at it, keeping watch while everyone else got ready for dinner.
123 words. Press Start, read aloud at your normal pace, and press Stop on the last word. Nothing is recorded.
What your result means
There is no single correct pace. A eulogy or guided meditation works best slowly, while a sports read or a 15-second ad needs speed. What matters is that listeners can follow you and that you control your pace on purpose.
Use your number to plan: divide a script's word count by your wpm to estimate its length, or use the words to minutes calculator.
Practise a steadier pace
Set the teleprompter to your target wpm and read along, or try a timed practice script. Our guide on how to slow down when speaking has drills.
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal speaking rate?
Conversational English is commonly estimated at around 150 words per minute. Presentations are usually slower, around 120 to 140 wpm, and reading text aloud averages about 183 wpm in research on adult readers (Brysbaert, 2019).
How do I measure my words per minute?
Read a passage of known length aloud at your normal pace and time yourself. Divide the word count by the minutes taken. This test does the timing and maths for you.
Is 180 words per minute too fast?
For presentations and complex information, often yes: many listeners prefer 130 to 160 wpm. For energetic ads or casual conversation, 180 wpm can sound natural. Clarity and pauses matter more than the number alone.
How can I speak slower?
Pause at the end of every sentence, breathe between ideas, and practise with a teleprompter set to your target pace. Recording yourself and measuring again is the fastest way to see progress.