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How many words is a 6-minute speech?
A 6-minute speech is about 780 to 900 words, or 3.1 to 3.6 double-spaced pages.
Work it out
words, at 130 to 150 words a minute
- At 140 words a minute
- 840 words
- Script pages, double-spaced
- 3.1–3.6
- Pages, single-spaced, Arial 12 pt
- 1.6–1.8
- Reading it silently
- 3 min 32 sec
- Paragraphs
- 4–9
Write it in the word counter with a limit of 900 words.
Open the word counterWords for 6-minute speech at different speeds
| Pace | Words | Double-spaced pages |
|---|---|---|
| Measured, 130 words a minute | 780 | 3.1 |
| Typical, 140 words a minute | 840 | 3.4 |
| Conversational, 150 words a minute | 900 | 3.6 |
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.
Where six minutes comes up
The upper end of a Toastmasters Ice Breaker, many school debate speeches, and close to a Pecha Kucha presentation: 20 slides shown for 20 seconds each, which is 6 minutes 40 seconds in all.
Writing for slides that move on their own
In a timed format like Pecha Kucha, write per slide rather than per speech. Twenty seconds is about 45 to 50 words, so each slide gets two or three sentences. Rehearse until each slide’s words finish just before it changes.
Questions and answers
How many words is a 6-minute speech?
About 780 to 900 words.
How many words is a Pecha Kucha presentation?
About 870 to 1,000 words in total, or 43 to 50 words for each of the 20 slides.
How many pages is a 6-minute speech?
About 3.1 to 3.6 double-spaced pages.