How many words is a 1-minute speech?
A 1-minute speech is about 130 words at a typical presentation pace of 130 words per minute.
Plan 110 words for a slow, deliberate delivery and up to 150 for a conversational 150 wpm. A brisk voice-over read at 160 wpm fits about 160 words.
Word budget for a 1-minute speech
| Pace | Typical use | Words |
|---|---|---|
| Slow 110 wpm | Ceremonies, eulogies, sermons, dramatic reads, and listeners who are new to the language | 110 |
| Presentation 130 wpm | Keynotes, lectures, wedding toasts, and talks with pauses for slides or laughter | 130 |
| Conversational 150 wpm | Podcasts, YouTube voice-overs, interviews, and everyday speech | 150 |
| Voice-over 160 wpm | Commercial, explainer, and audiobook narration (ACX plans on 9,300 words per finished hour, about 155 wpm) | 160 |
| Fast 180 wpm | High-energy ads, sports-style reads, and quick read-alouds | 180 |
What a 1-minute speech is good for
- A 60-second radio spot or explainer
- A one-minute self-introduction
- A short wedding welcome or thank-you
- An audition monologue for a one-minute slot
Planning tips
- Around a minute is enough for a hook, two supporting points, and a close.
- Plan on fewer words if you need pauses for reaction or emphasis.
- Rehearse with a timer at least twice. The first read is almost always faster than the real delivery.
How to divide 130 words
A simple structure for a 1-minute speech at 130 wpm. Adjust the proportions to suit your material.
Opening
~20 words
9 sec · Hook, who you are, and why it matters
Body
~91 words
42 sec · One benefit or idea and one proof point
Close
~20 words
9 sec · Recap and one clear next step or call to action
Time your own script
Paste your text for an exact word count, choose a pace, or measure how fast you actually read.
Words for 1 min at 130 wpm
130 words
about half a page double-spaced · about a quarter page single-spaced
| Pace | Words |
|---|---|
| Slow 110 wpm | 110 |
| Presentation 130 wpm | 130 |
| Conversational 150 wpm | 150 |
| Voice-over 160 wpm | 160 |
| Fast 180 wpm | 180 |
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.
Practise a script of a similar length
Free, original scripts with direction and a built-in teleprompter.
Know your word count instead?
Speeches that are usually this long
Frequently asked questions
How many words is a 1-minute speech?
A 1-minute speech is about 130 words at a typical presentation pace of 130 words per minute. Plan 110 words for a slow, deliberate delivery and up to 150 for a conversational 150 wpm. A brisk voice-over read at 160 wpm fits about 160 words.
How many pages is a 1-minute speech?
At 130 wpm (130 words), a 1-minute speech is about half a page double-spaced or about a quarter page single-spaced.
How fast should I speak for a 1-minute speech?
Aim for a pace you can sustain while staying clear, usually 120 to 150 words per minute for live speeches and around 150 to 170 for voice-over. Time a full read-through and adjust the script rather than rushing.
How many words are in a 1-minute commercial?
Most 1-minute commercial scripts land between 130 and 160 words, leaving room for the brand name, a call to action, and a beat of silence at the end.
Estimates by the SceneDub Editorial Team, updated November 7, 2026. Rates: Brysbaert (2019) for reading; ACX for audiobook runtime; other paces are common planning ranges. Open the full calculator and chart.