How many words is a 1-minute video script?
At a normal speaking pace of about 150 words per minute, a 1-minute script is roughly 140-160 words. Fast talkers reach 180-200; slow, deliberate delivery runs 110-130.
Words to Minutes.
Paste your text — see exactly how long it takes to say out loud. Built for speeches, presentations, voiceovers and scripts.
Calculated locally — your script never leaves your browser.
0:00
0 words · at 130 wpm
Speaking pace
Platform check
TikTok ≤60s Reels ≤90s Shorts ≤60s
How many words for a given speaking time?
Three pace presets cover most real delivery. Conversational is the one to plan around:
| Target time | Slow (100 wpm) | Conversational (130 wpm) | Fast (160 wpm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 seconds | 50 | 65 | 80 |
| 1 minute | 100 | 130 | 160 |
| 3 minutes | 300 | 390 | 480 |
| 5 minutes | 500 | 650 | 800 |
| 10 minutes | 1,000 | 1,300 | 1,600 |
Make the estimate match reality
First, leave 10% headroom — pauses, emphasis and slide changes all eat time. Second, count numbers and abbreviations as spoken ("2026" is four syllables, not one word). Third, record one real 60-second take and count your personal pace — then plan with your number, not the average. Making short-form video? The script timer page has per-platform sweet spots.
FAQ
How accurate is a words-to-minutes conversion?
Within about 10-15% for most speakers. Pauses, on-screen text moments and b-roll gaps add time that raw word count cannot see, so treat the result as a floor, not a ceiling.
How many words should a 30-second TikTok script be?
About 70-80 words at a normal pace. If your hook needs breathing room in the first 3 seconds, aim closer to 65.
Does reading speed differ between languages?
Yes. English averages ~150 spoken words per minute; Mandarin is usually counted in characters (~240-260 characters per minute). Use the pacing presets to match your delivery.