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How many words is a 5-minute speech?
A 5-minute speech is about 650 to 750 words: about 650 at a measured pace and 750 at a conversational one. Written out, that is 2.6 to 3 double-spaced pages.
Work it out
words, at 130 to 150 words a minute
- At 140 words a minute
- 700 words
- Script pages, double-spaced
- 2.6–3
- Pages, single-spaced, Arial 12 pt
- 1.3–1.5
- Reading it silently
- 2 min 56 sec
- Paragraphs
- 3–8
Write it in the word counter with a limit of 750 words.
Open the word counterWords for 5-minute speech at different speeds
| Pace | Words | Double-spaced pages |
|---|---|---|
| Measured, 130 words a minute | 650 | 2.6 |
| Typical, 140 words a minute | 700 | 2.8 |
| Conversational, 150 words a minute | 750 | 3 |
Estimates for US Letter or A4 with 1-inch (2.54 cm) margins and ordinary paragraphs; reading at 238 words a minute, speaking at 130 to 150.
Five minutes: the most common speech
Five minutes is the length people most often ask for: a best man or maid of honor speech, a class presentation, a lightning talk at a conference, a team update. An Ignite talk is exactly five minutes, with 20 slides that advance automatically every 15 seconds.
It is long enough for an opening, three short points or one good story, and a close, and short enough that the audience stays with you the whole way.
A five-minute plan
| Part | Time | Words |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | 30 seconds | 70 |
| Point or story 1 | 1 minute 15 seconds | 170 |
| Point or story 2 | 1 minute 15 seconds | 170 |
| Point or story 3 | 1 minute 15 seconds | 170 |
| Close | 45 seconds | 100 |
That totals about 680 words, a comfortable middle. Leave a little room for laughter and pauses, especially at a wedding.
Questions and answers
How many words is a 5-minute speech?
About 650 to 750 words. If you speak quickly, 800 may fit; if you are nervous or want pauses, plan on 600.
How many pages is a 5-minute speech?
About 2.6 to 3 double-spaced pages, or one and a half single-spaced pages.
How long should a best man speech be?
Three to five minutes is the usual advice, so 400 to 750 words. See the best man speech guide.
How can I check my speech is 5 minutes?
Paste it into the word counter: it shows the speaking time at 150 words a minute. Then read it aloud once with a timer, because your real pace is what counts.