How many words is a 5, 10 or 20 minute speech?

What takes time without adding words

• Applause, laughter and any moment where the speaker waits for the room
• Slides and videos the speaker stops for
• Lists of names, which are read more slowly than sentences
• Walking on, walking off and handing over to the next speaker

For a program with reactions built in, write to the relaxed column and leave a margin.

The reliable way to time a speech

Read it out loud, standing, at the pace you would use in the room, and time it. Silent reading runs far faster than speech and always flatters the count.

Cutting to time

Cut whole paragraphs, not single words. Mark any paragraph that can go as an optional cut, and the operator can skip it during the speech if the program is running late.

The teleprompter does not set the pace

With an operator, the text scrolls as fast as the speaker talks and stops when the speaker stops. The word count decides how long the speech runs. The prompter only keeps the words in front of the speaker. See whether you need an operator for why that matters at a live event.

More guides

• Presidential or camera teleprompter?: Presidential glass for speaking to a room, a camera prompter for speaking to a lens.
• Do you need a teleprompter operator?: For a live event, yes. For a short solo video, an app is often enough.
• Confidence monitor or teleprompter?: A confidence monitor shows slides and notes. A teleprompter shows the full script, scrolling with the speaker.
• How to read a teleprompter: Speak at your own pace and let the operator follow you. Eight habits for first-time speakers.
• How to write a speech for a teleprompter: Short sentences, numbers spelled out, names spelled phonetically and a blank line at every pause.