How Many Words Is a 3 Minute Speech?
A 3 minute speech is about 390 to 450 words. That is based on a typical public speaking pace of 130 to 150 words per minute. If you speak slowly or plan to pause for effect, aim for 350 to 375 words.
Three minutes goes fast. It is enough for one clear message and two or three supporting points, not much more.
Where the numbers come from
A public speaking textbook from Lumen Learning cites the National Center for Voice and Speech for an average US English conversation rate of about 150 words per minute. It advises speaking a little slower when you give a speech, at around 125 to 150 words per minute.
Reading a script aloud is faster. A 2019 review of reading studies found an average oral reading rate of 183 words per minute. If you write 550 words and read them at that speed, you will finish on time, but you will sound rushed.
Words in a 3 minute speech at each pace
| Pace | Words per minute | Words in 3 minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Slow, with long pauses | 100 | 300 |
| Relaxed public speaking | 125 | 375 |
| Typical public speaking | 130 | 390 |
| Steady and clear | 140 | 420 |
| Conversation speed | 150 | 450 |
| Fast | 170 | 510 |
| Reading a script aloud | 183 | 549 |
For most people, 400 words is a safe target. It leaves about 15 seconds spare for pauses, laughter or a slow start.
Speech length chart from 1 to 10 minutes
These use 130 words per minute for the low figure and 150 for the high figure.
| Speech length | Words |
|---|---|
| 1 minute | 130 to 150 |
| 2 minutes | 260 to 300 |
| 3 minutes | 390 to 450 |
| 4 minutes | 520 to 600 |
| 5 minutes | 650 to 750 |
| 6 minutes | 780 to 900 |
| 8 minutes | 1,040 to 1,200 |
| 10 minutes | 1,300 to 1,500 |
For a longer talk, see our detailed guide on how many words a 5 minute speech needs.
A word plan for a 3 minute speech
Here is a simple way to split 400 words:
| Part | Words | Time at 135 wpm |
|---|---|---|
| Opening: a hook and your main message | 60 | About 25 seconds |
| Point 1, with an example | 100 | About 45 seconds |
| Point 2, with an example | 100 | About 45 seconds |
| Point 3, or a short story | 80 | About 35 seconds |
| Closing: repeat your message and a final line | 60 | About 25 seconds |
| Total | 400 | About 3 minutes |
If you only have two points, give each one about 140 words. Strong short speeches often have one story that carries the whole message.
What a 3 minute speech is used for
- Class presentations and “talk about yourself” tasks.
- Wedding toasts and best man or maid of honour speeches, which many guests prefer short.
- Speech contests, where 3 minutes is a common limit. Some events stop you or take marks off when you go over, so plan to finish early.
- Elevator pitches and job interview answers, which are often shorter still, from 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
How to find your own speaking pace
- Write about 150 words of your speech and paste them into our free word counter to get the exact count.
- Stand up and read them aloud at the pace you will use on the day, with pauses. Time yourself on your phone.
- Divide the words by the minutes. For example, 150 words in 65 seconds is 150 ÷ 1.08 = about 139 words per minute.
- Multiply by 3. At 139 words per minute, your 3 minute speech should be about 415 words.
Practise the full speech at least twice with a timer. Most people speed up when they are nervous, so if you have a strict limit, aim to finish in about 2 minutes 45 seconds.
Quick answers
- Words in a 3 minute speech: about 390 to 450.
- Safe target: about 400 words.
- Slow speaker: 300 to 375 words.
- 2 minute speech: 260 to 300 words.
- Pages: about four fifths of a page single spaced, or just over a page and a half double spaced, for 400 words.
Paste your script into the word counter to see the word count and an estimated speaking time as you edit.