What people use it for
- Talks and voice notes Know whether the script fits the slot before you record it.
- Video Match the text to the length of the edit.
- Podcasts Estimate the run time of a segment from the written notes.
The speeds behind the numbers
Speaking out loud averages about 150 words per minute in English, with presenters and audiobook narrators sitting between 140 and 160. Slow, deliberate delivery for a stage with pauses drops to about 110 to 120. Reading silently is faster, around 230 to 250 words per minute for an adult reading something familiar.
| Pace | Words per minute |
|---|---|
| Slow, with pauses | 110 |
| Normal out loud | 150 |
| Fast, energetic | 180 |
| Silent reading | 240 |
Long numbers, acronyms and lists take longer than the word count suggests, so add about ten per cent when the script is full of figures or names.