How long does it actually run?
Paste your speech. We count the words and convert at 130 words per minute — the pace of someone speaking clearly, not reading fast. Stage directions in [brackets] are excluded, because you don't say them out loud.
Haven't written it yet? Answer a few questions and we'll write it to the length you pick.
Common questions
How many words is a 5 minute speech?+
About 650 words. Public speaking runs slower than reading aloud at your desk — we use 130 words per minute, which is the pace of someone speaking clearly and pausing where they should.
How long should a best man speech be?+
Three to five minutes. Past five the room drifts however good the material is, and nobody has ever complained that a speech was too short.
How long should a eulogy be?+
Three to five minutes is plenty. Shorter is easier to get through, and getting through it is the thing that matters most.
Do nerves make you speak faster?+
Almost always. Plan for the calm pace and you'll come in slightly under, which is the safe side to miss on.