How long should a farewell speech be when you leave a job?
A farewell speech when you leave a job should be 1 to 3 minutes long, about 130 to 390 words at 130 words per minute. Two minutes, around 260 words, is plenty for thanks, a memory, and a warm goodbye.
That's 1 min to 3 min, or roughly 130 to 390 words at 130 words per minute.
Why this length works
Leaving speeches usually happen at leaving drinks, a team lunch, or the end of a meeting, often right after a manager has said a few words about you. People are standing, sometimes holding a drink, and the moment is meant to be social. A minute or two keeps it warm and lets everyone get back to talking with you.
You do not need to justify the move or describe your next job in detail. Colleagues mainly want to hear that you valued working with them, and a short, specific thank-you says that better than a long one.
How to structure a 2 min farewell speech
Thanks for coming
~25 words
12 sec · A quick thank-you, and a nod to whoever organized the send-off.
What you'll remember
~90 words
42 sec · One shared moment or project the team will recognize.
Thanking people
~90 words
42 sec · Your manager and closest colleagues by name, then everyone else as a group.
Goodbye
~50 words
24 sec · Good wishes for the team and how to stay in touch.
Tips
- Name your manager and immediate team, then thank everyone else as a group so nobody feels left out.
- Pick one moment the whole team will recognize, like a launch, a crisis you got through together, or a running joke everyone was in on.
- Keep it positive even if you are leaving for unhappy reasons. People remember the tone more than the words.
- Mention how people can reach you, such as LinkedIn or a personal email, if you want to stay in touch.
- If a manager speaks about you first, respond to one thing they said. It makes your words feel less scripted.
Common mistakes
- Explaining at length why you are leaving or what is wrong with the company.
- Talking up your new job so much that it sounds like you are glad to escape.
- Thanking only senior people and forgetting the colleagues who helped you every day.
- Going on for 5 minutes or more while everyone is standing.
Example opening lines
- “I promised myself I wouldn't make a speech, so think of this as a very long thank-you.”
- “Four years ago, Hannah trained me on my first day and told me nobody really understands the expense system. She was right, and I'm leaving without ever figuring it out.”
- “Thank you all for coming, and for the cake, which I suspect is the real reason half of you are here.”
Time your speech
Paste your draft to check its length at your pace, then rehearse it in the teleprompter.
Or type a number of words
Speaking time at 130 wpm
2 min
260 words · about 1 page double-spaced
| Pace | Time |
|---|---|
| Slow 110 wpm | 2 min 22 sec |
| Presentation 130 wpm | 2 min |
| Conversational 150 wpm | 1 min 44 sec |
| Voice-over 160 wpm | 1 min 38 sec |
| Fast 180 wpm | 1 min 27 sec |
| Reading aloud, average 183 wpm | 1 min 25 sec |
| Silent reading 238 wpm | 1 min 6 sec |
Measure your own pace
Paste a script above (Words → time), press Start, read it aloud at your normal delivery, then press Stop. Nothing is recorded; this only times you.
Rehearse it
Open your script in the free teleprompter. It scrolls at the words-per-minute pace you choose and can record an audio take.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to give a speech when leaving a job?
No, but a few words are appreciated, especially if a manager has spoken about you. Thirty seconds of genuine thanks is better than nothing.
How many words is a 2-minute farewell speech?
About 260 words at 130 words per minute. A 1-minute speech is about 130 words.
What should I say in a farewell speech to colleagues?
Thank them, share one specific memory, say what you will miss, and wish them well. Leave out complaints and detailed plans for your next role.