How Many Words Is a 5 Minute Speech?
A 5 minute speech is about 650 to 750 words. That assumes a steady public speaking pace of 130 to 150 words per minute. If you speak slowly, or leave long pauses for effect, plan for 550 to 625 words instead.
The exact number depends on your own speed, so this guide gives a range, a word budget for each part of the speech, and a quick way to measure your pace.
The numbers behind the answer
Two reliable figures set the range:
- About 150 words per minute in conversation. A public speaking textbook from Lumen Learning cites the National Center for Voice and Speech for an average US English speaking rate of around 150 words per minute.
- 125 to 150 words per minute on stage. The same textbook advises speaking slower than average when you give a speech, at around 125 to 150 words per minute.
Reading aloud is faster. A 2019 review of 77 studies put the average oral reading rate at 183 words per minute. That is a warning, not a target. People who read a script word for word often speed up without noticing, and a speech written for 183 words per minute will sound rushed.
Words in a 5 minute speech at each pace
| Pace | Words per minute | Words in 5 minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Slow, with long pauses | 100 | 500 |
| Relaxed public speaking | 125 | 625 |
| Typical public speaking | 130 | 650 |
| Steady and clear | 140 | 700 |
| Conversation speed | 150 | 750 |
| Fast | 170 | 850 |
| Reading a script aloud | 183 | 915 |
For most people, 650 to 700 words is the safest target. It fits a calm pace and leaves room for a laugh, a pause or a slide change.
Speech length chart for other times
For a shorter talk, see our guide to how many words a 3 minute speech needs.
These figures use 130 words per minute for the low end and 150 for the high end.
| Speech length | Words |
|---|---|
| 1 minute | 130 to 150 |
| 2 minutes | 260 to 300 |
| 3 minutes | 390 to 450 |
| 5 minutes | 650 to 750 |
| 7 minutes | 910 to 1,050 |
| 10 minutes | 1,300 to 1,500 |
| 15 minutes | 1,950 to 2,250 |
| 20 minutes | 2,600 to 3,000 |
How many pages is a 5 minute speech?
About 1.3 pages single spaced, or 2.6 pages double spaced, for a 650 word script. This uses the common planning figure of 500 words per single-spaced page in 12-point type.
When we measured words per page with real text, a tightly packed single-spaced page in Times held 662 words. So 650 words can fit on one dense page. Speech scripts are rarely dense, though. Short paragraphs and large type for easy reading on a lectern mean your script will usually run to two pages or more.
Count words, not pages. Pages change with font and spacing, but your word count does not.
A word budget for a 5 minute speech
Here is one way to split a 650 word speech. It follows the common shape of an opening, three main points and a closing.
| Part | Words | Time at 130 wpm |
|---|---|---|
| Opening: hook and what the talk is about | 80 | About 40 seconds |
| Point 1, with an example | 150 | About 70 seconds |
| Point 2, with an example | 150 | About 70 seconds |
| Point 3, with an example | 150 | About 70 seconds |
| Closing: summary and final line | 70 | About 30 seconds |
| Total | 600 | About 4 min 40 sec |
The budget adds up to 600 words, not 650, on purpose. The spare 50 words, about 20 seconds, covers pauses, applause and the moments you add a few words on the day. Speakers rarely run short, but they often run long.
If you only have two main points, give each one about 225 words. Do not add a weak third point just to fill time.
How to find your own speaking pace
The tables above are averages. Your pace could be 110 or 170 words per minute. Here is how to measure it in a few minutes:
- Paste a section of your speech, about 300 words, into the free word counter and note the exact word count.
- Start a timer on your phone and read the section aloud the way you will on the day: standing up, at full volume, with pauses.
- Divide the word count by the minutes it took. For example, 300 words in 2 minutes 15 seconds is 300 ÷ 2.25 = 133 words per minute.
- Multiply your pace by 5. At 133 words per minute, your 5 minute speech should be about 665 words.
Do this twice. Most people are faster on the second read because the words feel familiar, and nerves can speed you up again on the day. If you have a strict time limit, plan for the faster number.
Our word counter also shows a speaking time for any text. It uses 140 words per minute, so treat it as a quick estimate and use your own timed pace for the final check.
What changes how long your speech takes?
Pauses. A two second pause after each key point adds up fast. Ten pauses add about 20 seconds, or about 45 words of time.
Audience reactions. Laughter and applause take time you cannot plan exactly. Leave a buffer if you expect them.
Slides, props and demos. Changing a slide or showing an object takes a few seconds each time.
Hard words and numbers. Names, technical terms and figures slow you down. A sentence such as “3.5 million” takes longer to say than to read.
Nerves. Many speakers talk faster under pressure. Practising out loud is the best way to settle your pace.
Quick answers
- Words in a 5 minute speech: about 650 to 750.
- Safest target: 650 to 700 words.
- Slow speaker: about 500 to 625 words.
- Pages: about 1.3 single spaced, or 2.6 double spaced, for 650 words.
- Best check: time yourself reading part of the speech aloud.
Writing a speech for a set page length instead? See how many pages 1,000 words takes. To check your draft, paste it into the word counter to see the word count and estimated speaking time.