How long should a speech be?
Recommended lengths and word counts for 26 occasions, from a 30-second elevator pitch to a keynote. Each guide includes a structure, tips, common mistakes, and example openers.
Rule of thumb: most toasts run 1 to 2 minutes, most wedding and tribute speeches 3 to 5 minutes, and most talks 10 to 20 minutes. At a presentation pace of 130 words per minute, every minute is about 130 words.
Speech lengths at a glance
| Occasion | Recommended length | Approx. words |
|---|---|---|
| Elevator pitch | 30 sec to 1 min | 80–150 |
| Wedding toast | 1 min to 2 min | 130–260 |
| Rehearsal dinner toast | 1 min to 3 min | 130–390 |
| Funeral reading or tribute | 1 min to 3 min | 110–330 |
| Farewell speech | 1 min to 3 min | 130–390 |
| Award acceptance speech | 1 min to 2 min | 130–260 |
| Award presentation speech | 1 min to 3 min | 130–390 |
| Speaker introduction | 1 min to 2 min | 130–260 |
| Mother of the bride speech | 2 min to 4 min | 260–520 |
| Milestone birthday toast | 2 min to 4 min | 260–520 |
| Anniversary toast | 2 min to 3 min | 260–390 |
| Best man speech | 3 min to 5 min | 390–650 |
| Maid of honor speech | 3 min to 5 min | 390–650 |
| Groom speech | 3 min to 5 min | 390–650 |
| Eulogy | 3 min to 5 min | 330–550 |
| Retirement speech | 3 min to 5 min | 390–650 |
| Father of the bride speech | 4 min to 6 min | 520–780 |
| Toastmasters Ice Breaker | 4 min to 6 min | 520–780 |
| Graduation speech | 5 min to 10 min | 650–1,300 |
| Valedictorian speech | 5 min to 7 min | 650–910 |
| Class presentation | 5 min to 10 min | 650–1,300 |
| Persuasive speech | 5 min to 7 min | 650–910 |
| TED-style talk | 10 min to 18 min | 1,500–2,700 |
| Wedding ceremony script | 15 min to 20 min | 1,650–2,200 |
| Keynote speech | 20 min to 45 min | 2,600–5,850 |
| Sermon | 20 min to 30 min | 2,200–3,300 |
All speech guides
Best man speechMaid of honor speechFather of the bride speechMother of the bride speechGroom speechWedding toastRehearsal dinner toastWedding ceremony scriptEulogyFuneral reading or tributeRetirement speechFarewell speechGraduation speechValedictorian speechMilestone birthday toastAnniversary toastAward acceptance speechAward presentation speechElevator pitchTED-style talkKeynote speechToastmasters Ice BreakerClass presentationPersuasive speechSpeaker introductionSermon
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