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How many words is an elevator pitch?
An elevator pitch is 30 to 60 seconds, about 65 to 150 words. Shorter is better: if it is good, the other person will ask for more.
Work it out
Line spacing
words, at 130 to 150 words a minute
- At 140 words a minute
- 140 words
- Script pages, double-spaced
- 0.5–0.6
- Pages, single-spaced, Arial 12 pt
- 0.3
- Reading it silently
- 35 sec
- Paragraphs
- 1–2
Write it in the word counter with a limit of 150 words.
Open the word counterWords for Elevator pitch at different speeds
| Pace | Words | Double-spaced pages |
|---|---|---|
| Measured, 130 words a minute | 65–130 | 0.3–0.5 |
| Typical, 140 words a minute | 70–140 | 0.3–0.6 |
| Conversational, 150 words a minute | 75–150 | 0.3–0.6 |
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.
What goes in
- Who you are or what your company does, in plain words (one sentence).
- The problem you solve and for whom (one or two sentences).
- Why you are different, with one concrete proof: a customer, a number, a result.
- What you want: a meeting, an introduction, a card.
That is five or six sentences, or about 80 to 120 words. Practise until it sounds like talking, not reciting.
Common mistakes
- Jargon. If a friend outside your field would not understand it, rewrite it.
- Too many points. One problem, one solution, one ask.
- No ask. The pitch exists to start a next step.
Questions and answers
How many words is a 30-second elevator pitch?
About 65 to 75 words.
How many words is a 60-second pitch?
About 130 to 150 words. See the 1-minute speech guide.
Should I memorize my elevator pitch?
Memorize the structure and the key phrases, not every word. A pitch that sounds recited loses people.