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How many words is a 7-minute speech?
A 7-minute speech is about 910 to 1,050 words, or 3.6 to 4.2 double-spaced pages.
Work it out
words, at 130 to 150 words a minute
- At 140 words a minute
- 980 words
- Script pages, double-spaced
- 3.6–4.2
- Pages, single-spaced, Arial 12 pt
- 1.8–2.1
- Reading it silently
- 4 min 7 sec
- Paragraphs
- 5–11
Write it in the word counter with a limit of 1,050 words.
Open the word counterWords for 7-minute speech at different speeds
| Pace | Words | Double-spaced pages |
|---|---|---|
| Measured, 130 words a minute | 910 | 3.6 |
| Typical, 140 words a minute | 980 | 3.9 |
| Conversational, 150 words a minute | 1,050 | 4.2 |
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.
The Toastmasters standard
Most prepared speeches in Toastmasters’ Pathways program are five to seven minutes, with the timer’s lights going green, yellow and red as you approach the end. Seven minutes is the top of that window, so a 1,000-word script is about as long as it should be.
Seven minutes is also a common slot for a class presentation, a report to a committee, or an informative video.
Tips
- Aim for the middle of the window: six minutes, about 800 to 850 words, leaves room for pauses.
- Signpost: “first”, “the second thing”, “finally” help listeners follow a talk of this length.
Questions and answers
How many words is a 7-minute speech?
About 910 to 1,050 words.
How long is a Toastmasters speech?
Most Pathways projects ask for five to seven minutes, about 650 to 1,050 words. Some projects are longer; check the project’s timing.
How many pages is a 7-minute speech?
About 3.6 to 4.2 double-spaced pages.