The cap is a rule; retention is the goal. Practical ranges creators work to:
Platform
Hard cap
Sweet spot
≈ Words at 130 wpm
TikTok
10 min
21–34s
45–75
Instagram Reels
3 min
15–60s
30–130
YouTube Shorts
3 min
20–45s
45–100
YouTube long-form hook
—
≤15s
≤35
How to find your speaking pace
Record yourself talking naturally for 60 seconds, then count the words: near 100 is slow, around 130 is conversational, 160+ is fast. Short-form skews fast — except the first 3 seconds of your hook, where slower wins.
FAQ
How does the script timer calculate speaking time?
It divides your word count by your speaking pace: speaking time (minutes) = words ÷ words per minute. Slow speech is around 100 wpm, conversational pace is about 130 wpm, and fast delivery runs 160 wpm or more.
How many words is a 60-second TikTok script?
At a conversational 130 words per minute, a 60-second video fits roughly 130 words. If you talk fast (160 wpm), you can fit around 160 words — but leave room for pauses, b-roll, and your hook to breathe.
Does my script get uploaded anywhere?
No. Everything is calculated locally in your browser. Your script never leaves your device.
What is the ideal length for TikTok, Reels, and Shorts?
Short and dense usually wins: 21–34 seconds is a strong range for TikTok, Reels perform well under 90 seconds, and YouTube Shorts must stay under 60 seconds (up to 3 minutes since 2024, but shorter typically retains better).
Script Timer — Words to Time Calculator for TikTok, Reels & Shorts