3 min speech words

See How Many Words Is A 3-Minute Speech & How To Prepare One

Preparing for a 3-minute speech and wondering about How many words should your speech have to fit the golden time frame?

You’re at the right place! Today, we’re going to explore the art of giving the perfect 3-minute speech with the right number of words. So, whether you’re getting ready for a school presentation, a work-related event, or a wedding toast, we’ve got the best tips for you!

For giving a 3-minute speech, you’ll need around 420 words, but doing you’re best is about more than just the number of words. It’s all about the content of your speech, your gestures, and the techniques you use to connect deeply with the audience and make them listen carefully!

Want to make everyone stare at you with a smile when you’re giving your speech?

Scroll down and learn how to give the best 3-minute speech of all time!

Table of Contents

The Power of a 3-Minute Speech

What can you say in three minutes? Well, Winston Churchill gave his famous speech “Never Never Give Up” in only 1 minute! So, 3 minutes is enough to share a meaningful message. 

Want to know how many words you use for a 3-minute speech? You can always count them since everyone talks at different speeds! We’ll tell you how.

How Many Words Are in a 3-Minute Speech?

An average speaker needs around 420 words to speak for three minutes. However, the actual number of words depends on your speed, body language, and whether you use any visual aids like slides or not. Slides can slow you down, as you need to wait for the audience to grasp the information.

In general, if you’re a fast speaker you need around 500 to 510 words, if you’re an average speaker you’ll use around 420 words and if you’re really slow or you need to show photos, videos, or slides between your sentences, you’ll need 300 to 330 words in a 3-minute speech.

Ideal Words Per Minute (WPM)

You may have heard about the golden “WPM” (words per minute). Everyone has a WPM of their own!

If you want to find the ideal number of words for your own speech, try talking in a way that you neither rush nor linger during your speech and take the time. 

Make sure to do it when you’re calm and alone, and preferably read a pre-written passage with a word count.

How many words did you say in 3 minutes? That’s your ideal WPM! 

Crafting the Perfect 3-Minute Speech

The art of having the perfect 3-minute speech always starts with writing and planning! Now, we’ll give you a step-by-step guide that helps you create the speech of your life!

Step-by-Step Guide to Planning A 3-Minute Speech

Understand your audience.

Before putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), consider who your audience is. Try answering some questions, including where are you going to talk. Who is your audience? In what fields do they have knowledge? What are their interests? What are their expectations?

Write the answers to your questions. This is how you create a unique image of your audience, like a real person whom you know and want to talk to.

Define Your Purpose

What message do you want to send to the audience? Write it on a piece of paper. For example write: “I’m going to teach them about customer service and how it changed in 2023”, or “I want to toast my best friends by telling a story about how they’re made for each other”!

 Be clear about the purpose of your speech. Are you informing, persuading, entertaining, or teaching? This defines your tone.

Structure Your Speech

This is a very important step!

A good speech has a clear beginning, middle, and ending. You should start with an attention-catching introduction, move to the mar in content which is your middle, and finish it with a memorable ending.

You should carefully think about how you’re going to start your speech. You can start with a personal memory, a story, a surprising fact, or a question to engage your audience.

Whatever your content is, remember that a good ending leaves your audience with a feeling of joy and it affects your whole speech. So, the ending is as important as how you start. 

You can finish your speech with a personal note, or talking about a future. A very creative way to end your speech is by asking someone else to finish it with a comment or question. This technique engages your audience and gives them the feeling of being included!

Choose Your Words Wisely

In only 3 minutes, every word counts! So, choose each one of them wisely. Use vivid language and make your point understandable. Avoid using phrases and terms that your audience doesn’t know. 

If you’re making a reference to a book or historical event, make sure everyone knows about it. Otherwise, you may leave some individuals puzzled, which is a negative point for a 3-minute speech.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Rehearsing your speech is crucial. It not only helps you refine your delivery but also ensures that you stay within the 3-minute timeframe.

Choosing the Right Topic

Every speech should have a topic. We don’t mean a general one, like a wedding toast or a university speech, but a more specific thing to talk about.

You can use some techniques for choosing a speech topic. Let’s learn some!

How To Choose A Good Topic For A 3-Minute Speech?

Our first suggestion is to look up the news about what you’re going to talk about. For example, if you’re giving a speech about business in the modern world you can search for new topics in business management.

Or if you’re giving a speech about saving the planet at school, you can search and read news about environmental issues of the day and choose one or two to talk about.

You can talk about people. For example, if you’re going to give a speech at the opening of a science fair, you can choose a scientist and talk about how their work is relevant to today’s science and the theme of your fair.

If you couldn’t brainstorm good ideas for your 3-minute speech, then you can take a look at the calendar! On what day you’re going to give the speech? See if there are any special events on that day. Feel free to check all calendars from all over the world!

You can also talk about something you really care about and relate it to the subject of the speech and your audience in some way. If you want to find the thing you care about, try completing the following questions.

“It makes me angry when…”, “I’d like to change the world to a place where…”, “Happiness for me is when…”. Get angry when someone harasses animals? Get delighted when see two people really in love? Want to change the world to a more just place for women? Here you go! 

Planning for Success

What happens if someone wants to ask you something in the middle of your speech? What if someone doesn’t laugh at your jokes?

You should be ready for every situation, and figure out how to be successful in each!

Using Technology to Prepare the Best Speech

Technology is here to save you from preparing your 3-minute speech! You can prepare your speech using different tools that are already popular and user-friendly.

Let’s see what they are and how to use them. 

Using Artificial Intelligence

AI is now revolutionizing everything, even your speech writing. For instance, you can write a prompt for your preferred AI (including Chatgpt and Bing AI) to help you plan, structure, and even write the content of your speech.

Use this prompt for example: “I want to give a three-minute speech about how to save the planet in my university. My audience includes Environmental Science professors and students. Create a plan for my speech.” 

Once you get the plan you like from the AI, ask it to “Write the speech according to the plan”.

Remember, the more specific and detailed your prompts are, the better speech you’ll get from the AI. so, make sure to tailor it according to what you really want. For example, you can always ask the AI to make your speech funnier, sadder, or even more engaging. 

The Disadvantages of AI for Writing a Speech

AI comes with its own dark side and you need to be aware of its limitations. It produces generic content. This means that it lacks the personalization that a speech needs. This is why speeches generated solely by AI may not connect to the audience as well as human-written ones.

As a speaker, originality is part of your brand and a part of your audience’s experience. So, you shouldn’t just rely on AI. Don’t forget a touch of you in your speech!

When you’re giving a speech, it’s important to use the right tone, the right words, and the right grammar. We may make many grammatical mistakes when we talk to each other, but giving a speech is more than that! 

Having grammatical errors could turn your speech into a drag!

Grammarly is an AI-powered writing assistant that can improve the quality of your speech. It helps you spot and correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors, ensuring your speech is polished and error-free.

If you’re a premium user, you can also ask it to change your tone, and help you craft a persuading and memorable speech!

Using Speech Writing Services

Want a speech for your Ted Talk and still have no clue?

There are people out there who are experts in writing and planning the best speeches ever! So, if you tried every technique and you just got lost, don’t worry! 

There are many people like you who can give a great speech but can’t plan it without help. Let’s see how you can find someone who writes a speech like it came right from your heart!

PeoplePerHour

PeoplePerHour is a platform that connects you with talented freelancers from all over the world. Just go on and type “Speech Writer” in its search box and you’ll see many experts who can write what you want at any price!

For a 3-minute speech, you can find a freelancer to do it for $20 to $400 on People Per Hour!   Make sure to read every freelancer’s profile and client experiences before ordering your speech!

ProBlogger Job Board

The ProBlogger Job Board is another platform that connects you to freelancers, but this time only to writers! You can see people and firms who accept freelance writing projects, from website content writing to paper writing for a project!

Go on and search for a “Speech Writer”. You can find many freelancers who can tailor a great piece of speech based on your specific needs.

WriterAccess

WriterAccess is a trusted content creation platform that many freelance writers sign up on. You can find someone you can trust to write your speech at the best price on Writer Access! 

Around 15000 freelance writers are on writer access now. Go on and search for someone to write a great speech for you!

Becoming a Master of Public Speaking

A 3-minute speech could be the start of your journey as a public speaker. You may have many things in mind that you want to share with the rest of the world, but you just don’t know where to start and what to do to give a great speech.

Let’s talk about some techniques that help you become a confident speaker in your first 3-minute speech!

Tips and Techniques for Delivering Engaging Speeches

If you’re giving a speech at work, whether to your colleagues or clients, the first thing is to write the most important qualities of your audience. Know what are their needs and concerns. 

The most important thing about a working speech is that it must be clear and right to the point. Avoid lengthy openings and use a clear introduction.

Visual aids like slides and charts could be helpful for this setting.

Remember, work speeches, even three-minute ones, could be boring. Encouraging questions and inviting the listeners to engage is a perfect technique for the perfect address!

The last tip is to have a fun fact or a personal (but not offensive at all joke) for everyone. It helps you have a warmer work speech and create an inclusive environment where everyone from your work belongs.

Get out of that boring and cliche work speech samples with all the facts and figures and try to be someone that everyone likes to listen to.

At a Funeral

Funeral speech is tricky because you’re sad and you must think about giving a good speech at the same time. 

The first step toward a successful funeral speech is showing empathy. Speak from the heart, and realize the pain that every friend and family member shares with you. 

Sharing personal memories, especially happy ones is a great technique since it creates a good view of the deceased’s character. 

Speak at a comfortable pace take deep breaths and pause when you need. Remember, crying in this situation is natural, so let it all go naturally.

Remember to honor all aspects of the deceased’s life, like their achievements, relationships, and contributions. Include everyone! Thank them for coming and try to forgive anyone who had a problem with the deceased on their behalf.

Speaking at school can be a valuable opportunity to build your confidence. Many students will acknowledge you after this! 

Want to do it the best way?

Choose a topic that your classmates are already familiar with. What’s the hot topic among you guys these days? Bands? Friendship groups? Throwing the best parties or a new video game? Choose a topic that everyone listens to!

Remember to start practicing soon. First, read the speech for yourself, and practice it so much that you memorize it! Then give the speech in front of your close friends and family, and ask for their feedback.

If you’re afraid of making eye contact and smiling or having facial expressions, spot some of your best friends and only look at them for the first minutes of your speech. This way, you practice while giving the speech, and little by little, you can move to other students and talk while looking right into their eyes.

This helps you craft the best speech and also shed all that stress and appear very confident for the main speech!

Using visuals like images, diagrams, and props makes everyone engage more with what you’re saying.

At University

When you’re giving a speech at university, your audience consists of your professors and peers, who are all involved in the academic world!

This is why you should keep your speech academic and engaging at the same time!

First of all, choose a title that matches the interest of your audience. Then, start to research. Look up the title and gather the needed information to support your argument.

In the world of academia, even a 3-minute speech needs to be based on well-researched content!

The structure is also very important. So make your introduction clear, and point out your main arguments. Be sure to finish with a solid conclusion that fits the logic of your argument. Don’t be afraid to reference academic sources.

Something that really matters in an academic speech is the ability to manage time effectively. You should respect the time you’ve been allocated, and deliver your points within the time limit! So, 3 minutes is all you got!

Remember, since you’re delivering a speech in a more academic context, you should have a more formal speaking style. Avoid casual speech habits, and try using a professional tone.

A primary mission of academia and academic speech is to create discussion. So, go on and ask questions before and after your speech, and let your peers engage in it as well.

At a Graduation Party

Selected to deliver a speech on the most memorable day of every student? What an opportunity! Make sure to seize it!

First of all, try to include everyone. In this short time, you can highlight the graduates’ accomplishments and tell everyone how you’ve all grown together.

Be positive and encourage your peers, whether they enjoyed their academic life or they’re planning on having a better academic future!

Be thankful to your teacher and the parents who’ve been supporting you through all these years! Express your gratitude by thanking everyone, including the graduates!

Ending on a high note is the perfect technique for finishing this speech. Conclude your speech with a memorable quote or piece of advice about ending or graduation. Something that impresses everyone and reminds them there’s a future to look out for!

At a Wedding Toast

When someone trusts you with their wedding toast, it means they trust that you’re going to deliver the most heartfelt speech.

To do so, begin with warmth. It’s a great idea to congratulate the newlyweds and give them warm wishes. You can say how excited you are to see them at the beginning of their most amazing journey in life!

Share a personal story in your 3-minute wedding toast! This story should reflect the couple’s love and character. You can choose either a funny tone or a romantic one, but try to be engaging!

Remember, wedding toasts are usually sweet and short! So, after a short personal story, conclude your speech by inviting everyone to raise their glasses and join in a toast to the couple’s happiness and love.

More General Tips and Techniques

Before delivering to the public, practice your speech a few times! Start with giving the speech in front of people who you trust. This builds confidence and helps you have a smooth delivery without any voice shakes!

Know Your Material

Know what you’re talking about. Research before speaking and if your speech includes any events, dates, historical or scientific references, make sure your knowledge is legit.

Confidence always comes from knowledge!

Use Engaging Body Language

Pay attention to your posture. Make eye contact with everyone, smile, and don’t forget your hand gestures. Your body also talks and engages the audience. 

Giving a speech with fallen hands or shoulders, with a neutral facial expression, or with your hands knotted on your chest could make it one of your worst speeches of all time. Try searching for Ted Talk videos and looking at how speakers act and move their bodies.

Vary Your Voice

Monotonous speech is the worst! Remember to adjust your tone, pitch, and pace and change them when needed. Your voice can prevent your audience from getting bored!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a 500-word speech take.

A 500-word speech usually takes around 4 to 5 minutes to deliver in an effective way. However, it depends on your pace and pauses. If you’re a fast speaker, you can deliver a 500-word speech in 4 minutes!

Is 400 words enough for a 3-minute speech?

Yes, if you speak at an average pace you can deliver 400 words in a 3-minute timeframe. Try practicing it beforehand and calculating your WPM.

What is the ideal duration for a 1,000-word speech to keep the audience engaged?

Regarding that a 1000-word speech is considered a long one, it should take you no more than 7-8 minutes to deliver it. This time is calculated considering the time for pauses and emphasis. If it takes you more than 8 minutes, you may bore the audience. 

How many pages should a 3-minute speech typically span?

It depends on the font size and spacing you use but a 3-minute speech should be 2 pages. Try using word count since it’s a more reliable criterion. A 3-minute speech should have between 380 to 420 words.

How many words are typically spoken in a 1-minute speech?

We can usually speak around 120 to 150 words in a one-minute speech if we aim to deliver a clear speech. If we speak faster than that, the audience is more likely to lose comprehension.

So, now you’re confident to start planning on your speech, right? 

Today, we learned how to craft and deliver a good 3-minute speech. We learned that it usually takes 420 words to speak for 3 minutes, and it’s not a short time! You can deliver many important messages in just 180 seconds!

This is why you should pay close attention to your planning. Every speech should have an opening, main body, and ending. Each of these sections is important and will affect the audience’s perception of your ability as a speaker.

You should also be careful when choosing a topic, and preparing for different occasions. You need different sets of skills and techniques to showcase for giving a speech at work, a funeral, school, university, graduation party, or delivering a wedding toast!

Each situation needs its own tailored ways of delivery, and we learned all about them as well!

If you’re looking for professional assistance, we’ve highlighted the platforms that can help you find the best freelance speechwriters at your budget, including PeoplePerHour, ProBlogger Job Board, and WriterAccess.

Now you know everything about delivering the 3-minute speech of your life, and you’re good to go! Step onto that stage with confidence and share your message with passion. Be sure that you can leave your audience with a feeling of inspiration.

The world is ready to hear your voice. Are you?

Value: the highlighted parts + step-by-step guide to planning a 3-minute speech

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• How many words per minute in a speech

How many words per minute in a speech?

A quick guide for slow, average and fast rates of speech.

By:  Susan Dugdale  

If you're preparing a speech or presentation with a strict time limit it’s useful to have an estimate of the number of words you’ll need to fit the number of minutes you've been given.

And it's even more useful to have those guidelines before you rush into writing, only to discover when you’re done, you’ve written far too much. Something I used to do on a regular basis! (And then, I had the tedious job of pruning to fit.)

What's on this page:

How many words are there in a 1-minute speech, how many words are there in a 2-minute speech, how many words are there in a 3-minute speech, how many words are there in a 4-minute speech, how many words are there in a 5-minute speech, how many words are there in a 6-minute speech, how many words are there in a 7-minute speech, how many words are there in an 8-minute speech, how many words are there in a 9-minute speech, how many words are there in a 10-minute speech, how many words are there in a 15-minute speech, how many words are there in a 20-minute speech, how many words are there in a 25-minute speech, how many words are there in a 30-minute speech.

• How to calculate your own speech rate: 2 easy methods
• How many pages is a 4, 7 or 20-minute speech?     

About this quick reference guide

The following table (below) shows the average number of words spoken per minute for speeches from 1 to 30 minutes long. It's a quick reference guide: one only intended to provide general information.

Who, and what, is truly average?

An average word count for any timed speech (one minute, two minutes, three, four, five, six...or more, minutes) is impossible to give. As there really is no such thing as an average person, who uses an average rate of words per minute when they speak.

We are individuals: each of us different. Speech patterns and speech (speaking) rates vary considerably between person to person for a great many reasons. The best you’ll ever get is an educated guess.

Use as an estimate: test yourself to be sure

That aside, the following estimates will give you a handy indication of the number of minutes it takes to say x number of words depending on whether you talk at a slow speed, a medium speed or you're one of the world's fast talkers.

(And, no, it's never a good idea to gabble at a mile a minute to fit everything you've prepared into the length of time you've been given!)

To be absolutely sure what you've done will fit the time allocation you've been given it's a good idea to test yourself to establish your own speaking rate or speed of speech .

How many pages is a 'x' minute speech?

Multiple variations on the question how many pages are needed for a speech are frequently asked. For instance:

• How many pages is a 4-minute speech?
• How many pages is a 7-minute speech?
• How many pages is a 20-minute presentation?

Unfortunately, the answer is not simple. Calculating the number of A4 pages of text you need for a speech of any number of minutes long is tricky for two reasons.

How many words are on an A4 page?

The first reason is that the number of words on an A4 page depends on how the page has been formatted. The answers to the questions below make a very big difference to the total number of pages needed to print a speech.

• What is the font family being used? (Different fonts take up differing amounts of space because of the shape/design of their characters.)  
• What is the size of the font? (The font size you're reading right now is 20px.)
• What is the spacing between each of the letters in a word?
• What is the spacing between each line of text? Is it single spacing, 1.5 or double line spacing?
• What spacing has been set for paragraphs?
• What size have the margins of the page been set at?
• Are there headings? Sub-headings or lists?

On average if the font is plain, (sans-serif, without embellishment), like Arial or Verdana, its size is set for 12px, and the line spacing is set for 1.5, then a page may have between 400-500 words on it.

Speech rate changes how we calculate the number of words we need

The second reason why using the number of pages to gauge how long a speech will take to deliver is problematical is because we speak at different rates. 

A 500-word page may take someone speaking at very slow rate 4 minutes to get through.

Another person, who has a much faster speaking rate, may take about 2.5 minutes to deliver exactly the same text.

Using the number of pages as a guide for a speech that has to fit a time limit is completely unreliable.

If you need to use a 'guesstimate' use the speech rate table below. Forget about counting the pages! 

If you are a slow speaker, less than 120 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 120 - 160 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 160 - 200 words.

If you are a slow speaker less than 240 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 240 - 320 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 320 - 400 words.

If you are a slow speaker less than 360 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 360 – 480 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 480 - 600 words.

If you are a slow speaker less than 480 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 480 – 640 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 640 - 800 words.

If you are a slow speaker less than 600 words,

If you speak at an average speed between: 600 – 760 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 760 - 1000 words.

If you are a slow speaker less than 720 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 720 – 960 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 960 - 1200 words.

If you are a slow speaker less than 840 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 840 – 1120 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 1120 - 1400 words.

If you are a slow speaker less than 960 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 960 – 1280 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 1280 - 1600 words.

If you are a slow speaker less than 1080 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 1080 – 1440 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 1440 - 1800 words.

If you are a slow speaker a little less than 1200 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 1200 – 1600 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 1600 - 2000 words.

If you are a slow speaker, a little less than 1,800 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 1,800 - 2,400 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 2,400 - 3,000 words.

If you are a slow speaker, a little less than 2,400 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 2,400 - 3,200 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 3,200 - 4,000 words.

If you are a slow speaker, a little less than 3,000 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 3,000 - 4,000 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 4,000 - 5,000 words.

If you are a slow speaker, a little less than 3,600 words.

If you speak at an average speed between: 3,600 - 4,800 words.

If you are a fast speaker between: 4,800 - 6,000 words.

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Find out more about speech rate

• How to calculate your own words per minute speech rate - two easy methods
• The factors influencing a faster rate or slower rate of speech
• How to develop an ideal rate of speech : one matching content, speech purpose and your audience: six exercises for flexible speaking rate

Words per minute calculator

Lastly here's the link to a useful online words per minutes calculator . Once you've completed your speech enter the total number of words, and select whether you want it to give you an average for a minute of your speech at a slow rate, average or fast rate. Again, it's a 'guesstimate'. ☺

The only really safe way to find out whether your speech fits your time allocation is to say it aloud at an ideal rate or pace: one taking into account the content, and the audience who is going to listen to it, while timing it.

(Use the record function on your phone. It will assist in lots of other ways too! You'll hear where you need more vocal variety, where your pronunciation is blurred ...and, so on. It's super helpful.)

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How Long is a 3 Minute Speech? Tips for Writing a Short Speech

What could be more nerve-wracking than standing in front of a room full of people and giving a speech in three minutes? It is no surprise that this can be a stressful task for many people. The good news is that most audiences are ready to listen and understand, if you know how to make your points in a clear, concise, and impactful manner.

But that’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? How do you effectively deliver a 3-minute presentation and make sure your message gets across? Well, fear not, in this post, I will be breaking down how you can create an effective 3-minute presentation and tips that you can use to maximize the impact of your speech. So put away the fear and let’s get started!

Quick Answer

How many words can I write in a 3 minute speech? Answer: The number of words for a 3 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 300 and 480 words in your speech.

Calculating Speech Length in Minutes

The precise answer to how long a 3 minute speech is can vary depending on the speaker, their speaking rate, and length of words used. It’s important to consider these factors when preparing an effective presentation . While the conventional wisdom might be to assign a fixed word count per minute, the reality is that it takes more than this to calculate an exact speech length . Subject matter is one factor to take into account when calculating speech length. Complex topics require more words and use of larger vocabulary which will naturally increase the length of time the speaker needs to explain the material. Additionally, if there is content specified by a speaker for a 3-minute presentation, that can also affect the actual length of the speech. On average, one sentence will take about three seconds to deliver, so every extra sentence or phrase will add approximately six seconds to your presentation time. To ensure that your 3-minute speech includes all information needed without taking too much time from other presenters speaking after you, practice delivering your speech out loud and adjust as needed. The pros of using a fixed word count per minute approach are numerous. This method allows for easier calculation of speech timing and for comparison against other speakers in terms of number of words spoken. A disadvantage would be that if a presenter uses larger words or has generally slower delivery with longer pauses between sentences or sections, then the estimated “3 minutes” could be inaccurate; meaning less time available for other speakers or related activities. By considering subject matter, language choice and level of detail, presenters should have a better understanding on how to effectively gauge their intended speech length beforehand. This leads into an important measure of success in any given presentation – that being words per minute estimations which we’ll cover in the following section…

Words Per Minute Estimations

Words per minute estimations are key when it comes to preparing a 3-minute speech. Speaking faster than your natural delivery can hinder the effectiveness of a presentation. However, understanding the industry standard of words per minute can help speakers find the right tempo for their presentations. According to some sources , the average person speaks approximately 125 words per minute, making a 3-minute presentation around 375 words. Plans and speeches should be rehearsed in advance to ensure that they fit and exceed the word requirement. While you should practice going over the time limit, keep in mind that it is best practice to finish presentations at or before the allotted time. On the other hand, there is debate around whether simply filling up a speech with words that do not serve any purpose creates a more improved speech. Speakers must remember that quality matters over quantity when it comes to giving a presentation. While it is important to be aware of how many words are being spoken per minute, fillers such as “um” and “like” decrease performance quality and effectiveness of a presentation. It is essential to factor in tempo along with content breathlessness when delivering a powerful presentation. Therefore, it is important for speakers to practice their speech while focusing on both its content and delivery rate so as to achieve maximum impact. Preparing an effective 3-minute speech requires a combination of quality material and proper timing. The next section will cover tips on how one can prepare an effective 3-minute speech.

Preparing a 3-Minute Speech

As with most speeches, those that are three minutes in length must be planned ahead and prepared carefully. The goal of this section is to provide tips and advice that will help the speaker craft an effective 3-minute speech. First and foremost, speakers must decide on their topic . A specific focus should be chosen, as topics that are too broad will be difficult to cover in such a short time frame. Using any research materials needed, the speaker can begin gathering key points and facts about their chosen topic to include in the speech. Speakers may also have to consider time management when constructing their 3-minute speech. It’s important to use the allotted time for the best outcome, which may involve condensing sentences or eliminating examples that don’t fit into the final draft . If necessary, speakers can even work with rhythm and dramatic pauses to create more impactful and memorable moments within their 3-minute window. Finally, the speaker should practice delivering their 3-minute speech. It’s important to know what points they plan on emphasizing, when they will pause, how they will move while they are speaking, and how to vary their pitch and vocal delivery to capture audience attention—but all within the three minutes of allotted time. The more practice given to 3-minute speech preparation, the better chance of successfully delivering an effective presentation on one’s chosen topic. Armed with these preparation tips for crafting a 3-minute speech, speakers can proceed towards structuring their speech accordingly in order to maximize its creative potential and reach its intended purpose. The following section will address structuring the speech itself so that it packs a punch within a short window of time.

Structuring the Speech

A well-structured speech is a key part of delivering an effective presentation. When planning a 3 minute speech, selecting a structure to guide the flow of information can be essential in ensuring an effective outcome. The first factor in structuring a 3 minute speech is deciding whether to present in a chronological order, or alternatively divide into thematic elements. If a chronological approach is chosen, this allows the audience to gain insight on how ideas have developed over time and provides continuity between points. Conversely, when choosing to split the speech according to theme this allows for greater focus on specific topics and highlights any similarities or differences between them. Closely linked to the type of structure chosen, it can be beneficial to consider utilising subheadings, especially if the speech has been divided into thematic elements. Subheadings are also helpful for maintaining focus on the main point and ensure each idea is adequately covered within your time limit. However, too many subheadings may result in an overly structured presentation which could be distracting for the audience. Alternatively, little or no subheadings may mean that the content feels disjointed and difficult to follow. As such, finding the right balance is essential for ensuring successful communication. Finally, whilst considering how long each element should be within your speech, setting yourself a word target can also help achieve this balance. After deciding how long each major element will take up there are often nuances within these sections that would benefit from some additional elaboration. By setting yourself a total number of words you will become more aware of how much detail there needs to be within those subsections and ultimately produce a better outcome overall. Having established the structure of your 3 minute presentation it is now important to consider what content should fill it. Moving forward we will discuss how to choose an appropriate topic that suits both you and your audience…

Choosing a Topic

Choosing a topic for a 3 minute speech can be daunting. It’s important to consider the audience, purpose, and context of the speech when selecting your topic . Your aim should be to select a topic that will interest and engage the audience. Try to pick something that you are passionate about and ensure it is appropriate for the occasion. When debating topics, think carefully about both sides of the argument so your presentation can be balanced and comprehensive. Drawing on both sides of an argument demonstrates good critical thinking and builds respect from your audience. Also you may have to overcome initial opposition or skepticism from members of your audience. This technique encourages full discussion and understanding of a topic, allowing the audience to process both perspectives before coming to their own conclusions and making decisions. Finally, if you decide to debate a topic, consider ending your presentation with a call to action for your audience — this could be encouraging them to take action on what they have learned in your speech or engaging in further research, amongst others. Now that you have chosen a topic for your 3 minute speech, it’s time to move onto finding supporting ideas which will bring depth and clarity to your presentation.

Finding Supporting Ideas

Brainstorming and research are vital components for gathering the information needed to support a 3 minute speech. Asking questions can help identify topics and ideas to provide a focus for the presentation. Think about what the audience needs to hear and then decide which idea will be used as the center of discussion. Gather facts, figures, statistics, quotes, stories and anecdotes to substantiate the central idea. Additionally, consider points of view on both sides of the debate when appropriate. This will help strengthen the basis of evidence to better illustrate a point or opinion throughout the presentation. Use materials that are relevant, concise but still informative. It is important to have a good balance between material that’s interesting and familiar. As well as material that provides an argumentative edge so the audience has something new to think about after the presentation is finished. Thus it’s important to spend time evaluating all of the materials available that may be suitable in order to determine which pieces will provide maximum impact. Having strong supporting ideas can help make a 3 minute speech persuasive and effective. Here’s a few tips for finding great supporting ideas: 1) Research thoroughly – To ensure accurate information that gives authenticity to arguments 2) Brainstorm – Think critically surrounding common topics relating back to your main point 3) Debate both sides – Consider points of view on both sides of the debate when appropriate 4) Select materials with intention – Choose relevant, concise materials that provide maximum impact 5) Utilize multimedia – Media presentations such as videos, slideshows and graphics can bring extra interest and dimension With some brainstorming and careful selection of materials through a combination of research and thoughtful evaluation, finding effective supporting ideas for a 3 minute speech can be attainable! Now that we have discussed Finding Supporting Ideas for our speech, let’s move on to discuss Opening & Closing the Speech in our next section.

Essential Information

When preparing for a 3 minute speech, it is important to brainstorm for topics and ask questions related to the presentation. Furthermore, research facts, figures, statistics, quotes, stories and anecdotes to strengthen the basis of evidence and arguments. When selecting materials to support the speech, be sure it is relevant, concise but still informative in order to provide maximum impact. To ensure maximum effectiveness of the presentation, consider points of view on both sides of the debate, use multimedia such as videos and graphics. With careful research and evaluation when selecting materials one can be prepared to deliver a strong 3 minute speech.

Opening & Closing the Speech

When delivering a 3 minute presentation, opening and closing the speech effectively is critical to ensure the speech is impactful and memorable. An effective introduction grabs the audience’s attention and creates context, while a powerful conclusion provides a sense of completion and allows the presenter to leave a lasting impression. The introduction should be short, clear and interesting so that it immediately grabs the audience’s interest and sets the tone for the rest of the presentation. Presenters should consider using an anecdote or joke to draw people in, and be sure to include a succinct overview of what points will be discussed during the rest of the presentation. It is important to stay within time limits while still ensuring that the main idea is expressed in an appealing manner. In contrast, some argue that with only three minutes allotted, it is better to save time by omitting an introduction all together. This approach can be beneficial in certain circumstances as it allows more time for covering relevant material. Additionally, experienced speakers may have no trouble grabbing the audience’s attention without needing any kind of introduction. The conclusion should summarize key points touched on throughout the presentation while reinforcing the main idea of the speech and leaving listeners with something to ponder. Presenters might close with their opinion on the topic at hand or use ending remarks such as “thank you for your attention” or “questions?” An effective closure will provide a clear picture of why this topic is important or relevant and might use props, visuals or sound clips to deliver a final statement about being heard. Similar to an introduction, some might argue that a conclusion is not necessary given that speaker has only three minutes overall. However, like an introduction, skipping out on a proper closure could be detrimental if not done well as it has potential to leave the audience feeling unfulfilled or confused about what was actually presented. In conclusion, it is important to abide by time constraints while also giving an effective open and close when preparing a 3 minute speech – whether this requires including both parts or depending on individual circumstance. Now that we have covered opening and closing techniques, our next section will focus on how to practice delivering this speech efficiently ahead of time.

Practicing the Speech

Speaking confidently and effectively in public can be intimidating for even the most experienced speaker. Before delivering a speech , it is important to practice numerous times to make sure that it is well rehearsed. This allows the speaker to become familiar with their material and identify potential areas of concern so that they can be addressed before delivering the speech. In addition to practicing aloud, writing out the entire speech is also recommended, as it gives the speaker a better sense of organization and flow. However, memorizing every line may not be necessary if the speaker has walked through their material multiple times with both written words and rehearsed aloud. The advantage of memorizing a speech word-for-word is that it allows the speaker to focus on their delivery and make sure they are speaking at an appropriate pace. This can be especially helpful when timing is an issue or when the allotted amount of time to speak is limited. On the other hand, having a memorized presentation can be dangerous as speakers may get lost in thought if they forget where they are or forget a word. Regardless of whether or not a speech is memorized in its entirety, all speeches should still be practiced several times in order for them to flow naturally and coherently. Doing so will minimize any potential errors or pauses during delivery and offer more confidence to the speaker. To further ensure an effective public presentation, all speakers should practice in front of an audience who can give constructive feedback on both content and delivery. Practicing this way helps speakers become more aware of parts of their speeches that need improvement so that these issues can be addressed before delivering the actual speech. By taking the time to properly practice one’s 3 minute speech, any presenter can deliver their material without feeling nervous or unprepared, making for a successful dialogue. With these pros and cons considered, now comes time to prepare for actually delivering the speech .

Delivering the Speech

Once you have written the speech and chosen your message, the next step is to decide how you are going to present the speech. Even a 3-minute speech can be intimidating, making it essential for presenters to practice their presentation in advance. Ready your voice and familiarize yourself with presentations mistakes so that you can avoid these pitfalls during your actual delivery. When delivering a 3-minute speech, focus on maintaining eye contact with your audience, using strong gestures to emphasize points, and speaking slowly but steadily in order to keep within the time limit. It is also important to know when to pause , as this can help draw attention to key points and help optimize communication of the content. In addition to how you deliver the speech, another area is focusing on what words to omit or add if something is taking too long or too short. Depending on the context of the presentation, there are several approaches presenters can take here – some opt for minimizing or reducing descriptions while others choose to replace or substitute certain words or phrases with newer styles of language. Ultimately, it is up to the presenter’s judgement on what changes should be made in order to ensure an effective and informative presentation within three minutes. Certain topics may require speakers to further analyze their material in order to determine what information should be included or left out within three minutes. Here, it is particularly useful for presenters to determine which aspects of their synopsis holds primary importance by jotting down points that could be used as main points or context highlights. In summary, delivering a 3-minute speech successfully requires expertise in budgeting one’s time while still managing to pass along all necessary information needed by both themselves and the audience. Effective delivery will also enhance engagement with your listeners while strengthening your own self confidence as a speaker. Moving forward, let’s discuss some additional tips for speeches of any length.

Additional Tips for Speeches of Any Length

1) Make It Interactive: Engage your audience in the speech by inviting them to act out certain ideas or roles, giving them handouts that contain specific instructions, or even allowing them to ask questions or participate in discussions. Studies have shown that people are more engaged when they are actively involved in a presentation, so give people something to do! Checkpoints in your presentation can be great opportunities for feedback from your audience that you can use to tailor your content and keep their attention. 2) Vary Your Delivery: Use different techniques to keep your audience’s interest. Consider changing the tone of your voice and/or changing your body language throughout the speech. Doing so will help make the talk more interesting and engaging for everyone. Additionally, varying the pace of the presentation can help you drive home key points and keep listeners on their toes. 3) Focus on Clarity: Communicate with clarity and ensure that each point is clear and concise. This is especially important with longer presentations as listeners may become lost along the way if the central messages aren’t made obvious. Research has found that people are more likely to remember stories than facts , so consider incorporating anecdotes into your talk for greater impact. 4) Use Visuals Wisely: Visual aids such as charts or slides can be a great addition to long presentations, helping you explain complex topics quickly and easily, but it’s important not to overdo it. Too many visuals can take away from what you’re saying and make it difficult for listeners to stay focused. Only use visuals when necessary – if there’s a lot of data involved, consider summarizing some of it instead of going into too much detail. 5) Stick to the Point: You may feel incredibly passionate about a particular topic and want to talk extensively about it – but try not to go off-topic since this could confuse or bore your audience . Keeping an outline nearby should help you stay focused, plus cutting out excess details will leave you free to elaborate on thoughts more connected to the main purpose of your speech.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

What types of topics are best suited to a 3 minute speech.

A 3-minute speech is best suited for topics which are brief and can be discussed in a short amount of time. It’s important to identify the key points that need to be covered within the allotted time frame. Consider keeping the topic as specific as possible – this helps to make sure all the key points are concisely discussed in the limited amount of time. Some examples of topics suitable for 3-minute speeches include: •Explaining a new product or service •Summarizing a research paper •Discussing the benefits of a particular solution •Outlining a well-known process •Highlighting recent advancements in technology •Providing a brief overview of an issue or current event •Giving an introduction to an unfamiliar concept. Ultimately, any topic that can be accurately presented and discussed in three minutes or less is appropriate for a 3-minute speech.

How much content can I fit into a 3 minute speech?

In a 3-minute speech, you can fit in quite a lot of content but only if it’s concise and well-constructed. To make the most of your time, decide on the main point you want to make, then use supporting evidence to back this up. You may also want to include some relevant anecdotes or stories to further illustrate your key points. When delivering the speech, practice pacing yourself and speaking clearly and confidently – this will make all the difference with how much content you’re able to get across. Ultimately, it comes down to how well you craft your message in such a short time frame; however, with careful preparation, you should be able to fit in a good amount of information that engages the audience.

How can I ensure my 3 minute speech is engaging?

When delivering a 3 minute speech, it is important to make sure your audience is engaged and attentive. To help ensure that your speech is engaging and effective, be sure to: 1. Focus on presenting your main points clearly and concisely. Make sure to choose words that are easily understood, and don’t be afraid to repeat yourself if needed. Keep your language simple , and avoid using abstract concepts. 2. Use stories, analogies or examples when introducing new topics or providing context for what you are talking about. This will allow the audience to better understand the content of your speech, while also making it more interesting and engaging. 3. Maintain good eye contact with your audience when speaking and use gestures when appropriate. This will show that you are confident and engaged in what you are saying. It will also help keep their attention on you rather than other distractions in the room. 4. Make sure to practice your speech beforehand so you can deliver it accurately, at a comfortable pace, and without running over time. Being able to gauge the allotted time of the speech and keep it within bounds will show the audience that you have prepared properly for the occasion. By following these tips, you can ensure that your 3 minute speech is both engaging and effective in communicating your key points to your audience.

How long is a 1 minute speech?

The number of words for a 1 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 100 and 160 words in your speech.

How long is a 2 minute speech?

The number of words for a 2 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 200 and 320 words in your speech.

How long is a 3 minute speech?

The number of words for a 3 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 300 and 480 words in your speech.

How long is a 4 minute speech?

The number of words for a 4 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 400 and 640 words in your speech.

How long is a 5 minute speech?

The number of words for a 5 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 500 and 800 words in your speech.

How long is a 6 minute speech?

The number of words for a 6 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 600 and 960 words in your speech.

How long is a 7 minute speech?

The number of words for a 7 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 700 and 1120 words in your speech.

How long is a 8 minute speech?

The number of words for a 8 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 800 and 1280 words in your speech.

How long is a 9 minute speech?

The number of words for a 9 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 900 and 1440 words in your speech.

How long is a 10 minute speech?

The number of words for a 10 minute speech will vary depending on the speaking speed, but generally you should aim to have between 1000 and 1600 words in your speech.

Do you wonder how long it takes to deliver your speech?

This website helps you convert the number of words into the time it takes to deliver your speech, online and for free. This tool is useful when preparing a speech or a presentation. The number of minutes you will take is dependent on the number of words and your speed of speech, or reading speed.

Note: This calculator provides an indication only.

Enter details below

The overview below provides an indication of the minutes for a speech (based on an average reading speed of 130 words per minute):

• Words in a 1 minute speech 130 words
• Words in a 2 minute speech 260 words
• Words in a 3 minute speech 390 words
• Words in a 4 minute speech 520 words
• Words in a 5 minute speech 650 words
• Words in a 10 minute speech 1300 words
• Words in a 15 minute speech 1950 words
• Words in a 20 minute speech 2600 words
• How long does a 500 word speech take? 3.8 minutes
• How long does a 1000 word speech take? 7.7 minutes
• How long does a 1250 word speech take? 9.6 minutes
• How long does a 1500 word speech take? 11.5 minutes
• How long does a 1750 word speech take? 13.5 minutes
• How long does a 2000 word speech take? 15.4 minutes
• How long does a 2500 word speech take? 19.2 minutes
• How long does a 5000 word speech take? 38.5 minutes

Speaking time calculator

Type or paste your speech to instantly calculate your speaking time

How does this speech timer work

To begin, delete the sample text and either type in your speech or copy and paste it into the editor.

The average reading speed and speech rate is 200 words per minute and is the default setting above. Once you paste your speech, click “Play” and Speechify will analyze your speech by the number of words and generate a time to speak it at the default rate.

You can listen to your speech in various accents or languages. If you are aiming for a specific timeframe for your speech, click edit to either increase or decrease the number of words to see how long it would take to speak them.

You can also increase or decrease the speaking rate to gauge how fast or slow you should speak in order to get to a specific time with the number of words you have in your speech.

To get to that perfect word count to fit with the speech length time, you’ll have to keep editing between words per minute (WPM) and number of words.

The best part is that you can share your speech in audio format to your friends, relatives, or peers to review it. They can simply click play and listen to your speech.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many words are there in a 1 minute speech.

Based on the average speed of speech, there are 150 words in a 1 minute speech.

How many words are there in a 2 minute speech?

There are 300 words per minute in a 2 minute speech. 2 minutes isn’t a long time so when you speak, you could endure the average speaking rate.

How many words are there in a 3 minute speech?

On average there are 450 words in a 3 minute speech. This is based on the average speech rate of 250 words per minute. At the 3 minute mark, even a novice speaker could keep going at the rate they started – with some practice.

How many words are there in a 4 minute speech?

On average there are 600 words in a 4 minute speech. This is based on the average speech rate of 250 words per minute. Still, even a novice speaker could maintain the 150 words per minute rate. Try it in the Soundbite above. Set your words per minute and speak along to see if you could endure consistency over 4 minutes.

How many words are there in a 5 minute speech?

On average there are 750 words in a 5 minute speech. This is based on the average speech rate of 250 words per minute. While this is simple math, we after all are humans and 5 minutes can be pushing the boundaries of a consistent speech tempo and words per minute.

How many words are there in a 10 minute speech?

In a 10 minute speech aim for 1000 words. The math might tell you 1,500 words but consider your speech. You might need pauses, rest for your voice, dramatic effects, and perhaps even audience interaction. Also, it becomes quite difficult to endure a consistent 150 words per minute speech rate for 10 minutes. Consider your listeners. We doubt very few people would want to listen to a precisely 150 words per minute speech for 10 minutes. It wouldn’t be engaging. And in a speech, you should engage and communicate.

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A short speech – create a 3 minute speech that rocks

I’m in the Charles Pearson Theatre at the University of Melbourne, watching 12 short speeches. It’s a 3 minute speech competition called the  3 minute Thesis .

These annual, 3 minute speech competitions challenge Ph.D and Masters students to effectively communicate 3-1/2 years’ of technical research into a short speech. Their task is to convey only the most important ideas and findings to a non-technical audience – and with only a single slide.

A short speech is a great test

As you’d imagine, it can be difficult to condense all that research and knowledge into a 3 minute speech, yet still convey all the pertinent information .

But that’s exactly why it’s such a great exercise for all speakers .

That’s because, in order to be effective, your ideas must be able to be communicated in the most brief, simple and clear manner possible. You need them to stick in the listener’s mind.

Not everyone is good at this skill – indeed, few people are. But you need to be if you want other to see the value of your ideas.

By the way, if you think giving a good 3 minute speech is hard, try doing one in just 5 words! That’s what they do at the Webby awards .

What did the winning speakers do right?

Despite giving a short speech on very different topics, there were some common practices I noticed about the winning speakers.

• They presented an exceptionally clear message .
• They included a “ top and tail ” element.
• They made use of metaphor and other verbal illustrations to simplify a complex idea.
• They spoke like they were having a conversation with their audience – not ‘giving a formal speech’.

The losing speakers, by contrast, were more forced. Some were so unnatural they seemed to be giving a pantomime a speech for an audience of children. The engagement of conversation was missing. We’ve talked before about the importance of an unforced, natural style .

How to create a short speech.

1. use a simple structure..

Start by clearly saying the ‘headline’ and key idea underpinning your speech in simple, everyday language, and follow with a simple structure supporting your main point. Here are some examples:

A: Headline and 3 supporting reasons:

With this approach, follow your “headline” statement with 3 simple supporting reasons. State each reason clearly, and explain how each one helps achieve or support the objective.

“We must change the way we work – for 3 important reasons:

• Thwack …,
• Kapow…,
• Whamm. “

B: Problem – solution:

This is a simple structure of only 2 parts. It’s an easy yet powerful way to capture people’s attention and interest when done well. But you’ll want to avoid the trap of rushing through the problem, and spending too much time on your brilliant solution.

If you really want to hook people, take some time to paint a vivid picture of the problem first. Your audience will then be clambering for a solution with both ears open.

C: Timeline:

In this type of short speech, you might cover:

• The history of the issue …
• The current situation …
• What might happen in the future …
• And the ramifications of agreeing (or disagreeing) with your main argument.

D: Metaphor/Top & Tail:

To “top and tail” simply means starting with a story/quote that hints at your message. At the end, you recall that story and link it to your message.

This short speech from a 3 minute speech competition makes excellent use of this approach.

Start your speech (“the top”) with a compelling metaphor to make a memorable point, and end the speech (“the tail”) with the same metaphor — but adjusted to show the benefit of adopting your central argument.

2: End with a memorable message:

Just as important as how you begin and structure your speech, is how you end it .

Consider the same techniques at the end of your speech. A metaphor that links back to your original premise, or finishing with a thought-provoking question, are two ways to burnish your speech in your listener’s mind.

These videos of the 1st and 2nd place winners of a 3 minute speech competition show how effective these closing techniques can be: 1st Place: Sara Ciesielski 2nd Place: Samantha Lichter

People worry that time limitations mean they have to ‘dumb down’ their valuable research — this is not the case!

A vivid message and a compelling short speech can become a window to the depth of your research, and give clarity to the value of your ideas.

A 3 minute speech gives you a huge amount of time to do this – if you use the time wisely and structure your speech to maximum effect.

Want to be a great speaker? Get the kindle ebook from amazon.com: What’s Your Message? Public Speaking with Twice the Impact, Using Half the Effort

How to Write a 3-Minute Speech Fast

How to write a 3-minute speech.

A three-minute speech may sound short, but in reality, many words and thoughts can be expressed in that time frame. Despite the time frame, it is possible to prepare quickly for your three-minute speech if you are familiar with the subject material. The key is to write a solid outline that gives you space to add or omit information depending on how much time you have left. Public speaking can be difficult if you’re not prepared with time-limits, body language, speech rates, PowerPoints, eye contact, communication skills, correct subject manner, personal story touches, key points and things to say to keep the audience’s attention.

Like a 5-minute speech or 10-minute speech, time constraints are present and affect the speaker’s speaking rate, formal speech aspects for real-life performance, word counts, subject matter included, number of words shared, and call to actions through your body of your speech said in the amount of time given. Short speeches call for more attention to detail as well as smaller bullet points of subject matter as well as a more impactful end of your speech.

Write one sentence stating the topic of your speech and what you hope to relay to the audience. Decide whether this speech is persuasive, celebratory, argumentative or any other style so you can know how to proceed. This sentence is not to be read during your speech, but is rather a reference for you as you write your speech to help you stay focused.

Write an opening statement that is sure to grab the attention of your audience. Depending on the topic and the crowd, you may want to consider starting with an amusing anecdote, a startling statistic or an interesting quote from a relevant source.

Write a quick outline of the main points you want to make in your speech. Label these with Roman numerals and, if you are typing, highlight them in bold so you can find your place quickly when delivering your speech. For a three-minute speech, choose no more than five main points.

Write three to five short items that support each of your main points. Number them. Using capital letters may help differentiate them from your main points at a glance.

Write as much of your speech word-for-word as you believe you will need, inserting the sentences within the outline. The less you add, the faster you will write your speech. However, this also means you must be comfortable forming coherent sentences and thoughts in the moment of delivery.

Memorize your speech and practice it in front of anyone willing to listen. Aim to glance down at your written speech only once every ten to twenty seconds.

Do not go on a tangent with any of your points. Not only is there no time for this within a three-minute speech, but this will make the writing process much slower. Stick to only the most relevant points you want to make. Type your speech. Not only will this help you write and structure your speech faster, it is neater and easier to read.

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Dramatic Reading Speech Ideas

• The Mental Game Coach: Top Ten Tips for Writing and Delivering Very Brief Speeches
• Harvard Business School: Speechwriting Under the Gun
• Do not go on a tangent with any of your points. Not only is there no time for this within a three-minute speech, but this will make the writing process much slower. Stick to only the most relevant points you want to make.
• Type your speech. Not only will this help you write and structure your speech faster, it is neater and easier to read.

Kara Page has been a freelance writer and editor since 2007. She maintains several blogs on travel, music, food and more. She is also a contributing writer for Suite101 and has articles published on eHow and Answerbag. Page holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of North Texas.

Speech calculator:  how long does it take to deliver your speech?

With this speech calculator, you can easily calculate how long it will take you to deliver a speech.

How many words per minute?

In the English language, people speak about 140 words per minute. A fast speaker will get to 170 words per minute, a slow speaker will use around 110 words.

Professional speechwriters use this speech calculator to find out how long a speech takes.

Copy your full text and paste it in the box below:

The entire analysis happens within your browser. The text will NOT be stored and NOT be sent over the web.

Word count:

Your speech rate:

Speech duration:

FAQ’s

How many words is a 3 minute speech  .

A speaker with an average speaking speed will need 420 words for a 3 minute speech. A fast speaker will need 510 words while a slow speaker will only need 330 words.

How many words is a 5 minute speech?  

A speaker with an average speaking speed will need 700 words for a 5 minutes speech. A fast speaker will need 850 words for the same speech length. A slow speaker will only need 550 words.

Is this a word count calculator?  

The speech calculator is a word count calculator. Insert your text and the tool will automatically calculate the word count.  It will then also calculate the speech length depending on the selected talking speed.

How to best select the right speaking speed?

Fast, average or slow? The answer depends on the speaker, the speech type and the speech setting.

The speaking speed of the speaker

Some speakers are natural fast or slow speakers. The best speakers keep a variance during their speeches. They speed up to keep momentum and slow down to put special emphasis on other parts.

The speech type

The type of speech matters a lot in selecting the right speech speed. If you read the whole speech word for word from paper then your average speech speed will be lower. If you intend to use the written speech as speaker notes then your average speaking speed will be much higher.

The speech setting

An informal setting will have a faster average speaking speed compared to a more formal setting.

Keeping all three factors in mind you will able make a better judgement about selecting the right speech speed in the speech calculator.

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Writing and Delivering Spectacular Short Speeches (A-Z guide)

Hrideep barot.

• Public Speaking , Speech Topics , Speech Writing

Short speeches are bite-sized speeches . Unlike other speeches, short speeches try to provide consolidated and on-point information.

How long should short speeches be?

Short speeches are about 1 minute to 15 minutes long depending on the situation. Its duration is also dependent on the audience.

Human speech roughly comprises the ability to speak 100-150 words per minute . Depending upon the appropriate duration for a short speech in a situation, one can calculate how many words would be required.

It is advisable to keep at least a 15 seconds buffer while writing your short speech. As When you speak you may emphasize a point, make a joke, or give time to the audience to let a point sink in, all of which take up time, probably around 15 seconds to half a minute.

You are free to add more words depending on your speed of speaking and pace.

At the end of the day, the idea behind giving a speech is to convey a message to your audience

Things to keep in mind while writing ,

1-2 minute speeches.

One-minute speeches don’t leave you enough time to put forth many points, even in their most condensed form. Keeping one unexpected message in mind and making it the central point of your speech can prove to be effective in delivering your speech to your audience.

Quoting stories, anecdotes, facts, and figures to support your idea further can make your speech more impactful.

Lastly, having a simple opening line and restating your main idea in your conclusion should be sufficient to put your idea across.

A short speech for your Facebook audience works best when they are 1-3 minutes long.

5-minute speeches

A 600-800 words speech would be sufficient for a 5-minute speech.

5-minute speech gives you enough time to introduce your topic and elaborate on it. You can even add a minute to conclude your topic rather than just restating the main takeaway.

Ideally, the initial 1 minute is dedicated to the introduction. It can be an introduction to yourself or to your topic. Having more points can make your speech a little messy . Allocating a minute to each point and then concluding your speech can be an effective way of presenting your 5-minute speech.

Can a speech be too short?

Have you ever looked at a speaker and complained about their speech being too short? Rather opposite, we tend to like the speaker more for having the ability to fit all the relevant information in a short time.

But if you are looking for a specific word count or time duration, then it can be as short as George Washington ‘s second inaugural address which was 135 words long.

The idea behind giving any speech is to cover all the important points and not just to keep a check on the timer. It is the quality of your speech that reaches the audience. While the quantity of your speech , i.e., how long or short it is, comes secondary .

If you have been questioning how to create a short speech? and How to write good short speeches? the section below might guide you on how to do so.

Writing spectacular short speeches

A spectacular speech is one that has credibility, an emotional element, and logic.

Writing spectacular short speeches involves the following stages:

To make the process of writing short speeches easier for you to understand, Let’s take the example of making a cake . Might as well bake one later!

1. Ideation Stage

Before starting to make any cake, you’d first decide on which flavor of the cake you want to make, right?

In speech writing, this stage is concerned with deciding a topic for your speech .

If you have been given a broad topic, you might have to take a deeper look at what elements you wish to add. It is advisable to go for a topic that interests you the most and the one that the audience would like as well.

You can decide upon the information you want to add to your speech by answering the following questions:

What ? includes what the topic is, ie, its definition. What is the problem that you want to highlight? What is the situation in which the speech is to be given?

Who? is concerned with which section of people you will be talking about.

Why? Is concerned with reasoning as to why the topic is to be included and what the audience will gain from introducing this information to them. Hence, this forms your takeaway from the speech.

All these Who? What? Why? questions form the core of the ideation stage.

2. Collection stage

The next step in making a cake is getting all the ingredients we require.  

In speech writing, this is the collection stage . Once you have a broad idea of what points you want to add to your speech, you can then go and research those specific topics.

Research plays a very important role when it comes to public speaking. A well-researched speech would be more credible for the audience, making it easier for them to trust your information and you. It also frees us of any biases or stereotypes we may be carrying as a speaker.

Ways to conduct your research

Depending on the purpose of your speech, you can choose any one research methodology or a combination of those given below.

a. Conducting Primary research

Primary Research is when you collect the data yourself . You can do it through surveys or interviews or any other means that is convenient for you.

Suppose you are giving a speech on success and want to add that grades do not affect your likelihood of succeeding in life. You can circulate a small survey asking people who are doing well in their fields about their grades and check for the results yourself.

b. Through secondary research

Secondary research is when you adopt the information or results from someone else’s research.

A plethora of freely available books, newspapers, and other sources online, make the task easier.

However, it is important to check for the credibility of these resources before committing to them in your speech.

A couple of websites that provide resources for free that you can use in your speech are:

• Research Papers: Google Scholar , Shodhganga
• Books: BookBub , Zlibrary
• Youtube: Bloomberg Quicktake , TED

The more diverse your research sources, the broader will be your perspective on your speech topic.

3. Structuring the information

Once you have collected all the information that you need, you might want to give it a proper structure.

The most basic format of writing a speech is:

The introduction includes basic information about the topic like its definition. You can also introduce a problem here.

In short speeches you don’t necessarily have to allot a lot of time introducing your topic, Hence keeping it short is always a good idea.

The body comprises a major part of your speech. It involves a detailed explanation of your topic. It may have a few subtopics that you may want to highlight. If you had introduced a problem in the introduction, then the body would include some solutions to that problem .

The conclusion is the summary of your speech .

While this is a structure we have learned since the day we were taught about speech writing, Another technique to structure and enhance your speech is the one given by Aristotle . It is a persuasive speech technique that includes the use of Ethos, Pathos, and Logos.

Ethos is the credibility element, Pathos means emotion , and Logos is the logical component .

I believe a lot of us here grew up privileged. When i say priveleged, we mean you had clothes to wear, a house to live in and food to eat, most probably you also had choices. Now try to imagine a life without those facilities (pathos) . About 689 million people today live under poverty (logos) . As a social activist and privleged citizen (Ethos) , I would like to address the issue of poverty today.

4. Enhancing Stage

The next step in making our cake is to get the right quantity of our ingredients in a bowl and mix them well.

This is the enhancing stage in speech writing, where you add a few things that would enhance your speech overall.

The use of literary techniques conveniently enhances any speech, no matter how mundane it may be. A few literary techniques that you can use are:

a. Tripling

A technique in which you take 3 words and group them together for maximum impact. The use of alliteration while tripling can make it even more impactful.

An example would be “His only philosophy of a fulfilling life was to love, laugh, and live .

The repetition of words in threes can also be used to exaggerate or evoke a particular emotion in the audience. This is called a Diacope . An example of Diacope that can be used in your speech on global warming could be: “With global warming on a rise, it is only going to get hotter and hotter and hotter with time.”

b. Cohesive ideas

Cohesive ideas refer to things that help in connecting two ideas . In simple terms, it includes the use of proper connectors like although, hence, and, because, furthermore, and so on.

Although it may seem irrelevant, It brings a sort of structure to your speech by connecting the ideas and forming a link.

An example of using cohesive ideas in your speech is given below:

According to the Evans Data Corporation, there are about 4.4 million software developers in North America. Although Washington, California, and Oregon are the top three recruiters for software developers in the USA; California has more software development positions which could be because of the famous silicon valley being located in North California. The average salary is expected to be around $126937 per year. However , Washington offers the highest salary at 164,000 per year.

c. Taking pauses

Taking necessary pauses is an effective way of getting across your information. It guides the audience on the ideas that you want them to focus on. Hence, It gives due emphasis to important sub-topics in your speech.

This is also an effective way to make your speech longer.

To learn ways in which you can harness the power of taking a pause in your speech, check out the video below.

5. Evaluation stage

Once we have mixed all the ingredients well, the next step in making our cake would be to pour the batter into a pan and keep it in the oven to cook, right?

 In speech writing, this step can be called the Evaluation stage .

As you already have the first draft of your speech ready what you can do next is to see where your speech requires improvements. Keeping a timer can help you understand if there is time to add more information to your speech or if you need to compress it a little more.

This is when you decide on your pace of speaking.

After evaluation, If the speech is too short , you might want to add a few more points . Adding in a few stories can also prove to be helpful while engaging the audience at the same time. You can also open yourself up for a question-and-answer session after your speech. This would make your contribution longer with no change that would be required in your speech

For more ways to lengthen your speech, check out Ways to Make a Speech Longer .

And if the speech is too long you jump to the next step.

What do you do when you realize that the top layer of your cake is burnt? Most possibly you will trim that layer while making sure that it doesn’t ruin the shape of your cake.

Similarly, after a few evaluations of your speech, you can start editing it. The idea is to remove anything extra, repetitive, and even flowery words . In case any idea is going off the topic, it can be dropped.

You might also want to change passive voice to active voice.

Other aspects of your speech can be edited depending on the areas that need improvement.

An example of how you can edit your speech is given below

Climate change is here and the issue is only going to escalate quickly with time. 17% of Bangladesh is predicted to be submerged underwater by 2050. A lot of other cities like Mumbai in India, Tokyo in Japan, and New York City in the USA have been predicted to meet a similar fate.

An edited version of it could be:

Climate change is here and the issue is only going to escalate quickly with time. 17% of Bangladesh is predicted to be submerged underwater by 2050. A lot of other famous cities have also been predicted to meet a similar fate.

7. Final touch

Once we have given our cake a good shape, it is time for frosting and sprinkles!

Hence it is time for the Final touch in speech writing.

A few things you can use in your speech to enhance it more are:

a. Jokes : A little joke here or there would help lighten the mood of the audience. However, you must make sure that it is by no means derogatory to anyone.

It is okay if you are not confident in coming up with a joke yourself, You can even quote someone else’s joke.

An example of quoting someone to make your speech humorous is given below:

If in the first go you are not able to succeed in achieving your goals, do not give up right away. After all, it is your resilience and persistence that would eventually help you succeed and achieve your goals. But if at first, you don’t succeed, then skydiving definitely isn’t for you .” (Steven Wright)

A light-hearted and humorous story can also be added to your speech, provided it doesn’t make the speech unnecessarily long.

Ted talk by Vinay Menon is the best example of how you can casually add humor to your speech. He opens the speech by introducing himself when he says that he is both a lecturer and a stand-up comedian. He follows it by saying “ So most of you might be complaining about having a poorly-paying job; I’ve got two.”

Self-directed jokes would be a better option than targeting someone else or a community.

b. Quotes : Inserting quotes helps to enhance your credibility, especially if you are quoting some renowned personality.

If for example, your speech is about What is happiness? You might want to add a few quotes by personalities like Dalai Lama or even Buddha to your speech. One such quote could be:

Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions. Dalai Lama

c. Props :  Props make any concept easier to understand. It can also increase the likelihood of the audience believing in what you are saying.

While using props, you should make sure to use the prop early in your speech to not distract the audience and have them wondering what the prop is for.

In the video below, would you have believed if Lauren Singer simply said she lived a zero-waste lifestyle? probably not until you see all the waste she has collected in 3 years.

8. Practicing stage

The last thing to do with your cake before you munch on it is to let it set in the refrigerator for some time.

The practicing stage in speech writing is when we evaluate our final speech and practice it so that it sets perfectly for the day when we have to present.

You can practice using any technique that you are comfortable with. A few techniques you can use are:

• Recording : You can practice your speech by recording it on your phone. This will give you an opportunity to go back and check how you did. It would also help in a comparative analysis of your progress. You can compare your first video recorded to your most recent one, to see your improvements.
• Visualizing : Visualizing is a technique that involves visualizing or imagining as if you were giving a speech in front of a crowd. If convenient you can also go to the place where you will be presenting your speech and practice there while visualizing the place to be filled with a crowd.
• Look for a volunteer crowd : If possible you can also look for people who might be happy to help you practice. This volunteer crowd could even be your friends and family members.

Now you don’t need to follow the same steps in speech writing. You may skip a few or even go back and forth, as per your convenience. The thing you need to understand is that there are no set rules for speech writing .

The last step would be to enjoy your cake or in our case, the delivery of your speech.

Delivering spectacular short speeches

The delivery of short speeches can be different depending on the situation. Two broad differences are when you have presented the topic on the spot, that is an impromptu speech. And the second case is when you are given enough time to prepare for your speech.

Delivery of a Prepared Speech

A. make sure that the audience can hear you..

At times your voice may not reach the ones sitting far behind. It is better to make sure that everyone can hear you before you start your speech. As it will give you time to rectify that limitation at the beginning itself.

This can prove to be helpful especially if the situation doesn’t give you enough time to clarify the audience’s doubts later through a questions and answers session.

b. Simple speech opener

When it comes to short speeches, we often do not have a lot of time to form an initial rapport with the audience.

What you can do is start with an open-ended question. Such rhetorical questions require the speaker to ask a question and pause for some time to let the audience think. It also helps in setting enough curiosity among the audience members to make them listen to what you have to say.

You can also start by adding some humor through jokes as we discussed.

You can further start by bringing the audience’s attention to some fact or statistical information . An example would be “Did you know an estimated 5.6 million people die each year due to poor countries’ lack of access to proper healthcare?”

If you are looking for more opening lines for your short speech, consider watching the video below.

c. Storytelling

Again, while we know that there is no set time for short speeches, it still doesn’t have the flexibility of elongated time to explain the concept in detail.

Stories are one of the best ways to get the audience engaged. In short speeches, stories can be used to explain a concept. You can structure your speech in a way that conveys a story as well.

Delivery of an Impromptu Speech

While delivering impromptu speeches, you might not have enough time to spare and structure the information in a sequential manner. In these cases, you can follow a few models that might make the task of giving the speech easier for you.

a. PREP Model

The idea is to make a point, and give a reason that supports the point. The reason shall be followed by an example which would then introduce another point.

An example of using the PREP model when giving a best man speech could be

Hello everyone, I am XYZ, the best man of this amazing man who just got married (Point). All it took for me to get this title today was 10 years of ubering this fellow who is 32 and yet sits there proudly with no driving license (Reason). I still remember the first day of college when he made me wait for 2 hrs (Example). This day brings me immense joy as I gladly hand over my driver duties to (Bride’s name) (Point).

b. WWW model

The idea is to start by sharing who you are followed by some information on what you do. This shall be followed by answering the third question, that is, where are you going from here?

An example of the WWW model from a farewell speech could be:

Hello, I am XYZ (Who are you). I had been working as a product manager in this organization for the past 6 years (What do you do) and I’m grateful to all of you who have contributed to my journey here. I realized a few months ago that my contribution towards the work here and that my own venture was not meeting its mark. That was when I realized that it was the right time for me to bid goodbye so as to give my 100% to my own venture (Where you are going from here ) . Thank you again for such a wonderful working experience; I shall cherish them with me forever.

Short speeches by famous personalities

While there are a number of short speeches by famous personalities, 3 of the most hard-hitting short speeches we would like to take a look at are given below.

These are also some of the most inspiring short speeches of all time.

1. Leonardo DiCaprio

The speech given by Leonardo DiCaprio at the opening of the Climate Summit 2014 is an amazing example of a short 3-minute speech .

The way his speech has been structured is worth nothing. In the initial 1 minute, he introduces how humans have conveniently ignored the issue of climate change as if it were a work of fiction. He then proceeds to explain the grave effects of climate change that have already been observed. Thus establishing the need to take action Now.

He emphasizes the word “Now” to indicate the urgency of taking some action for climate change. This also forms his one takeaway.

He concludes by restating his takeaway in a very impactful manner by saying,

The time to address humnakind’s greatest challenge is Now .

2. Denzel Washington

One of the most motivating speeches of all time was given by Denzel Washington while receiving his image award for outstanding actor in Motion Picture.

The way he uses repetition to emphasize the phrase “Ease is a greater threat than progress,” and the use of tripling in “Keep moving, keep growing, keep learning” is commendable.

Another noteworthy feature of the speech is how he takes pauses and slows down when he wants to audience to focus on the word or the idea that he is talking about.

3. Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai who is well known for advocating education for girls, during her speech at the 2015 Nobel Concert showed some excellent skills that must be noted and if possible adopted in your speech.

She gracefully observes the room and starts with humor , when she says

Please have a seat, I know you have been standing a lot and clapping and people get tired.

She quotes statistics when she mentions that there are about 57 million children who are out of school , thus establishing her credibility and at the same time making people aware of the grave reality.

Lastly, she establishes one clear takeaway , when she urges the audience,

I want you to think about how can you help, how can you help these children to go to school

Short speech topics

Here is a list of unique short speech topics that you can make use of. The list also caters to short speech topics for students.

Final words

Writing and delivering short speeches don’t have any specific rules. You are free to choose a way that suits best for you and your speech.

The only idea is to make the content precise and to the point with little chance of drifting from the topic. Stories, jokes, and props can help in effectively delivering your speech to the audience.

No speech is too short, but it can be short of a meaningful takeaway.

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How Many Words Are in a 3 Minute Long Speech?

Answer: At the normal speaking rate of 130 words per minute (wpm), a 3 minutes long speech will have about 390 words .

Speech and publication coach Daphne Gray-Grant  found that, on average, people speak at a rate of 125 to 150 wpm so a 3 minutes long speech uses between 375 to 450 words.

You can use our word counter tool to see how long on average your text will take to speak.

How can you measure your spoken words per minute?

To quickly know what your speaking rate is, write a 650-word essay and then get out a stopwatch. Time how long it takes you to speak all of the words in the essay.

Once you’ve finished, divide the word count (650 words) by the number of minutes in decimals (30 seconds = 0.5 minutes) and you’ll get an estimate of your words per minute speaking rate.

For example, if it takes you 4.5 minutes to speak 650 words, you would do 650 divided by 4.5 and get 144 words per minute.

Word Count per Speech Length

To quickly find out how many words a typical speaking length requires, see the table below. You can quickly map word counts to typical speaking rates:

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Introducing Speech Time Calculate

Estimate how many minutes your speeches, presentations, and voice-over scripts will take based on your words per minute rate!

How To Speech Time Calculate Using This Tool?

If you have a certain number of words or a piece of text you want to time, you can either type in the word count or paste the text into the provided area. This tool will then calculate how long it would take to read that text out loud.

The talk time estimate is calculated using the average speaking speed of adults, which is determined to be 183 words per minute based on scientific studies. If you’re interested in how long it would take to read silently, it’s estimated at 238 words per minute ( This data is also backed by research )

You can adjust the slider to change the words per minute value, which will affect the talk time estimate. However, the silent reading time estimate remains fixed at 238 words per minute.

For ease of use, we’ve also provided reference points for slow, average, and fast reading rates below the slider.

To begin anew, simply click the ‘clear text’ button to erase the content and restore the slider back to its original setting of 183.

Who is This Words to Minutes Converter Tool For?

If you are a student wondering how long is my essay or you’ve been tasked with writing a speech and need to know how many words to aim for and how many minutes will it take to deliver or perhaps you are a podcaster, just starting out, who wants the ability to easily synchronize music and spoken word without having to painstakingly calculate seconds between them, then this Speech Time Calculate is precisely for you!

From now on, instead of spending long hours in front of the computer trying to figure out how many seconds it takes for one phrase or section of dialogue to end and another to begin, you can let our innovative tool do all the work and convert your text to time quickly and accurately. With this powerful tool at your disposal, whether you’re giving a TED talk or just need to nail a business presentation, your life will become a little bit easier.

So keep reading to learn more about what this fantastic words to minutes converter has in store for public speakers, aspiring students, and professional radio producers alike!

Whether you want to read the text silently or speak aloud, you can use this tool as both:

• Reading time calculator
• Talk time calculator

Explanation of the Reading Time

Reading time refers to the duration it takes for an average person to read a written text silently while still comprehending its content. Based on an extensive analysis of 190 studies that involved 18,573 participants , research conducted by Marc Brysbaert in 2019 suggests that the typical silent reading speed for an adult individual is approximately 238 words per minute .

To convert word count to read time for a specific text, you can do so by dividing the total word count of the text by this established value of 238. Here is the mathematical equation for determining the duration of reading time in minutes:

Reading Time = Total Word Count / 238

Explanation of the Speech Time

Speech time refers to the duration it takes for an average person to read a text out loud. Based on data from 77 studies involving 5,965 people , it’s been found that most adults read aloud at a speed of approximately 183 words per minute ( research conducted by Marc Brysbaert in 2019 ). To figure out how long it will take to read a specific piece of text aloud, you can divide the total number of words in the text by this average rate of 183 words per minute.

Of course, it’s important to note that talk time can vary depending on factors such as clarity of speech, pauses for emphasis, and use of visual aids. However, using this tool for converting the number of words to minutes can still provide a helpful guideline for planning and practicing your presentation. By having a better understanding of speech rates, you can ensure that your message is delivered effectively and efficiently.

Benefits of Using a Speech Time Calculate

Time management in presentations.

Effective time management during presentations is crucial to ensure the audience remains engaged and the information is accurately conveyed. This is where our words to speaking time converter comes in handy. By using this tool, presenters can easily determine how many words they need to include in their presentation to stay within the allotted time frame.

Not only does it help with time management, but it also ensures that the pacing of the presentation is consistent, making it easier for the audience to follow. With the use of this presentation time calculator, presenters can confidently deliver their presentations without the worry of running over time or rushing through it.

Estimated speech time for public speaking

Public speaking can be nerve-wracking, especially when you have too little or too much information to fill your time slot. You wonder only if there were an accurate public speaking time calculator available so that you could be able to allocate the appropriate amount of time to each section of your presentation, ensuring that you cover all the necessary points without rushing or going over time.

Effective pacing is key in ensuring your message is delivered with clarity and impact.

Most public speakers target an average of 130-150 words per minute for their spoken content, meaning you should aim to limit your speaking time to roughly one minute per 130-150 words. While this may take some practice to achieve, the end result is a confident, well-timed delivery that keeps your audience engaged from start to finish.

Remember, in public speaking, less is often more—take your time to breathe and emphasize key points. Your audience will appreciate your thoughtful and measured approach. For that, you can use this tool and adjust your words to speech time.

Accurate estimations for audiobooks and podcasts

As more and more people turn to audiobooks and podcasts for their entertainment and information needs, accurate estimations of listening time have become more important than ever. After all, there’s nothing worse than settling in for a quick listen only to find yourself trapped in a story that goes on for hours longer than you anticipated.

That’s why it’s great to see publishers and podcast producers taking estimated reading time seriously, providing listeners with the information they need to choose the right content for their schedule. Whether you’re looking for a quick listen on your daily commute or a lengthy distraction for a lazy Sunday afternoon, accurate estimations using this words to speak time calculator make it easier than ever to find the perfect content.

Some Popular Speech Times

how many words in a 2 minute speech

Almost 300 words

how many words in a 3 minute speech

Almost 450 words

how many words in a 4 minute speech

Almost 600 words

how many words in a 15 minute speech

Almost 2250 words

The speech time is calculated taking 150 words per minute as reference value

Common conversions (average speed)

How long does it take to read 500 words?

3.8 minutes

How long does it take to read 750 words?

5.8 minutes

How long does it take to read 1000 words?

7.7 minutes

How long does it take to read 1200 words?

9.2 minutes

How long does it take to read 1500 words?

11.5 minutes

How long does it take to read 1800 words?

13.8 minutes

How long does it take to read 2000 words?

15.4 minutes

How long does it take to read 3000 words?

23.1 minutes

As the world becomes more fast-paced, time is a precious commodity. Determining how long your script will take to read, whether for a presentation or a video, can make a significant difference in engaging and retaining your audience’s attention.

That’s where our Words to Time Converter comes in handy. It’s a valuable tool for anyone working in various professions, from broadcast journalists to teachers to executives. No matter the industry, time is of the essence, and knowing how long your speech or presentation will take is crucial for effective communication.

How to craft a compelling 3 minute pitch

Got 3 minutes?

Sometimes, brevity is the best medicine. Or, in the words of Churchill,

“If you want me to speak for two minutes, it will take me three weeks of preparation. If you want me to speak for thirty minutes, it will take me a week to prepare. If you want me to speak for an hour, I am ready now.”

But, it’s not that straightforward.

That’s why the South Island Prosperity Partnership called me in to coach a roomful of aspiring innovators who had to effectively pitch their ideas to investors in under three minutes.

Challenge on!

In this post I’ll share highlights from our coaching session—lessons for anyone who wants to educate and persuade a client into action.

In keeping with that theme, I’m going to squeeze the lessons into a 3 minute read.

Start the clock…

The three slides you need for a great pitch

Guy Kawasaki created a great template for effective pitching called The Only Ten Slides You Need In Your Pitch .

Here they are in summary:

Kawasaki describes in sharp, simple language exactly what should go into each slide.

For example, the Go-To-Market Plan is simply, “How you’re going to reach your audience with your selling message without breaking the bank.”

Don’t fall into the trap of using fancy words to cover weak ideas.

Like Kawasaki, keep the language simple and the thinking strong and succinct.

But wait – even with simple language, there’s still a problem. 

Ten slides in three minutes? That’s 18 seconds per slide.

Clicking at this pace will make your audience’s head spin and give the impression you are unfocused.

So I had my group narrow it to eight slides.

They look like this:

Everyone had the opportunity to try out their eight points in a mock-pitch.

Guess what the conclusion was?

Still too long.

We agreed that captivating pitches should ideally cover three or four points. But which ones?

Captivating pitches should hammer home three or four points. But which ones?

In my experience, you can’t do without a description of the problem as well as your solution.

You need to touch on the magic in your idea when you make a pitch.

And if you have traction, it’s a sure way to get everyone to sit up and pay attention.

Before I get to that, you might also want to visit this post where I talk about making a powerful human connection with your pitch.

At this point, we all agreed the key three (or four or five) points should be decided on a case by case basis.

And the best way to feel confident the right points had been chosen?

Practice in front of ‘friendlies.’

If you pitch to people, practice with people

Creating a pitch should be a team sport.

Asking outsiders what the most remarkable features of your company are gives you ‘outside the jar’ perspective. It also helps you get to the compelling stuff – instead of losing yourself in points only you think are important.

It never ceases to amaze me how few people bring friendly listeners into the process. The reason? Most of the audience had never bounced their pitch ideas off others.

If you really want to get the most of this exercise, pick friendlies who can understand the headspace of investors. Businesspeople and entrepreneurs? A good choice.

What’s missing from your pitch? Where could it use improvement? Book a session to optimize your pitch with me. 

Don’t pitch – tell your story

It doesn’t matter how compelling your slides are: with 5 people making a pitch before you and 5 after, I can guarantee you’ll be reduced to a dot in the middle of a long blur.

You tell a story!

As humans, we’re wired for stories.

From the time we lived in trees, we told stories to make complex concepts memorable.

For that reason (and many others) turning your pitch into a story will increase the odds your idea will embed in the investor’s head.

Unfortunately, not everyone is a natural-born storyteller.

For the less Mark Twain-y among us, there are templates for storytelling.

I provided four that work especially well when you’re making a pitch.

The origin (founder’s) story:

While we’re on the topic, I should point out I’ve written more about the origin story and how it can lead to trouble…

The customer story:

The industry story:

The venture story:

We decided blending the industry and venture stories might provide fertile ground to create a classic three-act play format:

• Introduce the characters and setting.
• Create conflict, make victory seem highly uncertain.
• Resolve. The hero wins and rides off into the sunset.

You can probably identify many of these three-act play points in the industry and venture stories.

Even better, you can see how these stories weave Kawasaki’s slides into an engaging format for listeners.

A captivating pitch takes practice, practice, practice

We finished off our coaching session with more practice.

Then, I sent my group off with a recommendation to continue practicing, up to the moment they took the stage to make their pitch.

Practice is the one absolute necessity in this process — It’s also the part most of us naturally shy away from.

We say it’ll “ruin our spontaneity.”

Nothing could be further from the truth. 

Ruthless rehearsal gives you calm confidence in your material. And when you feel calm and confident, spontaneity happens.

Rehearsal doesn’t ruin your spontaneity. Quite the opposite!

I hope this brief review helps you fine-tune your own three-minute pitch and illuminates some points you may not have considered.

And hey, if nothing else, I hope it provided an entertaining read, in under three minutes.

Stop the clock!

Is your pitch presenting a dramatic problem? Is your solution positioned properly? Is your story memorable? Do you leave your listener with something to remember and think about? These are all questions we cover when you optimize your pitch with me. 

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See How Many Words Is A 3-Minute Speech & How To Prepare One

A 3-minute speech is quite short and can be persuasive depending on who’s giving the speech. But how many words are in a 3-minute speech? That’s precisely what you’re about to find out in this article.

Are you embarrassed by your speaking skills? Do you believe you can’t converse for more than three minutes? You’re not alone. Most of us struggle to get our words out effectively.

A 3-minute speech is a great way to build your speaking and presentation skills. And there’s no need to be a professional speaker. Anyone can learn how to create powerful speeches that are interesting, informative, and engaging.

In this guide, you’ll learn all the secrets to making an excellent speech in just 3 minutes or less.

How many words is a 3-minute speech

Since the average number of words a person speaks per minute is 140 to 160, the average word count for a 3-minute speech is 450 .

However, this number can vary depending on the individual’s speaking speed and the topic’s complexity.

Most people think a 3-minute speech is too short, but that’s not the case. A 3-minute speech is one of the best ways to communicate your ideas effectively.

That’s because it eliminates the common pitfalls of longer speeches – boredom, lapses in focus, and inconsistencies in voice.

This style may be ideal for effectively delivering your message in a short time. With a 3-minute speech, you can hit all the key points quickly and easily.

What are the benefits of creating a 3-minutes speech?

1. it takes less time to prepare.

If you’re like most people, you spend hours preparing for a speech, only to forget most of what you’ve prepared to say by the time you get on stage. That’s why it’s so important to create a short speech

A 3 minutes speech takes less time, and you’ll be able to remember everything you want to say. And best of all, you can practice your speech anywhere.

2. It will help you master your time

You only have 3 minutes to impress your audience. That is all you have to explain your product, tell your story, and convince them to buy it. You can’t waste a minute of that time. You’ll want to ensure everything you say is worth three minutes of their time.

3. You’ll learn to condense your message into a short period

Imagine you could go to any conference or TED-style talk and take away the key ideas without sitting through long, drawn-out lectures.

Imagine you could be a better listener, absorber, and communicator in just three short minutes. That’s exactly what you can give your audience with a 3 minutes speech.

By learning to speak succinctly, you’ll be able to speak more effectively and confidently.

4. It gives you an excellent chance to practice your speech in advance

Creating a 3-minute speech allows you to practice your speech in advance. Not only will this help you feel more confident when giving the speech, but it will also help you avoid common speaking mistakes.

By preparing this way, you can deliver a powerful and effective presentation that will impress your audience.

Effective tips for creating a 3 minutes speech

Creating a 3-minute speech is not easy, but it is possible. It may seem daunting, but by following the effective tips below, you can make the process much easier.

1. Choose your topic wisely – focus on what the audience wants to hear

When preparing to give a speech, choosing a topic that speaks to your audience is important.

You want to focus on what they want to hear and leave the talking to you. That involves understanding their desires and motivations.

To do this, you need to analyze their interests. Ask yourself these questions: What is my audience most interested in?

What are the topics that currently excite them? What do they see as the biggest challenges facing their industry or community?

With the right answers to questions like these, selecting a topic that fits right into your presentation is easier.

2. Make sure your speech is well researched

When you prepare to give a speech, the last thing you want to do is offend your audience. Therefore, you must know exactly what you’re talking about before spouting off.

By doing your research, you can tailor your speech to the specific audience you are speaking to, and you will be more confident in delivering it.

Additionally, by thoroughly researching the topic, you will be better prepared to answer any questions that might be asked.

3. Use vivid and descriptive language to capture the audience’s attention

Using vivid and descriptive language is one of the most effective ways to capture an audience’s attention.

Vivid language grabs the audience’s attention quickly and draws them in, making it easier for them to understand what you’re saying.

Descriptive language helps paint a picture in the audience’s mind, which can help them follow your arguments more easily.

When you use descriptive language, make sure to go beyond simple word choice to include details and examples.

This will help you convey your ideas to your audience and immerse them in the situation you’re describing.

4. Be concise and to the point

There are essentially three goals that any speech or presentation should strive for: To be concise, on point, and to be interesting.

It is easy to get bogged down in details, and while it may seem like the extra information will make your speech more effective, it may have the opposite effect.

The truth is that it’s more effective if you can prune your message down to its bare essentials. Avoid straying too far off course; instead, focus on what your audience wants to take away from your speech.

5. Practice your speech until it’s perfect

Many people believe that preparing a speech in advance wastes time. They think it will be jumbled up and out of control by the time they get to the speech. But this is not the case.

By practicing your speech beforehand, you can ensure that it flows smoothly and that every word is exactly what you want. Plus, you can avoid embarrassing blunders that could ruin your reputation by rehearsing often.

Is a 3-minutes speech effective?

Like most people, you think five or more minutes is a reasonable amount of time to deliver a speech. But a 3-minute speech is just as effective and often more effective than a longer-minute speech.

A three-minute speech isn’t just a busy person’s shortcut to speaking well. It’s an essential part of any public speaking arsenal for any purpose or setting.

In business, you don’t have time to waste. You don’t have time to rehearse. You don’t have time to find the right words. And no time for anything but crushing your competition.

By breaking down your content into easily digestible bites, you can distill your argument, reassure your audience, and keep them engaged without sacrificing the quality of your message.

How many words is a 10-minute speech?

Averagely, a 10 minutes speech contains 140 words .

How many words is a 5-minute speech

A 5 minutes speech is approximately 750 words .

How many words is a 2-minute speech

While a 1-minute speech contains an average of 150 words, a 2-minute speech is usually about 300.

While the number of words may vary, creating a 3-minute speech takes less time and is more effective. In fact, you can create a powerful 3-minute speech in just a few hours.

And the benefits are clear: a 3-minutes speech is more engaging and memorable. Not to mention, it’s easier to get your points across in a shorter speech.

Therefore, if you’re looking to boost your marketing skills or improve your public speaking abilities, a 3-minute speech is an effective way to achieve that.

A short speech represents who you are, what you stand for, and what you want to share. You can also introduce yourself to new audiences.

Furthermore, it’s essential to give speeches that motivate or inspire others or communicate your thoughts and ideas in an engaging and easy-to-follow format.

Always remember that the key is to focus on the main points and to keep your message simple. With fewer words, you can say more.

I hope you found this article helpful. You should also read about the number of words an average person speaks per minute .

Thanks for reading.

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convert words to time .

How long will it take to read a speech or presentation?

Enter the word count into the tool below (or paste in text) to see how many minutes it will take you to read. Estimates number of minutes based on a slow, average, or fast paced reading speed.

Number of words

Reading speed

Common conversions (average speed)

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Resources you can trust

3 minute speeches

A task sheet running step-by-step through the process of making a speech, as well as a list of suggested topics.

Students choose from 15 topical issues including schooling, tobacco and alcohol advertising, family holidays, gender roles, the internet, animal welfare, science, sports teams, democracy, the fashion industry, immortality, TV, religion and communication. Students persuade their audience with their line of argument.

Any of the topics would also work well for a class debate.

All reviews

Have you used this resource?

laxmi mohanraj

Resources you might like

Convert Words to Time

Calculate how long it will take to read a speech or presentation

Enter the word count of your speech below to see how long it will take you to read. Estimate the number of minutes based on a slow, average, or fast speaking pace.

Number of words

Reading speed, common conversions (average speed).

Convert words to time

Word per minute speech

Enter the number of words in the box below to find out how many minutes it will take you to give your speech.

Word Counter

Paste your text here to find out the word count

Word Count: 0

Online Stopwatch

Time your speech on a timer for the actual time it takes you to deliver your speech, practice.

Our tool comes in handy when you are preparing for a speech or creating a presentation. The length of your speech depends on the amount of text and your speaking or reading speed.

Words To Time Converter

Estimate how many minutes your speeches, presentations, and voice-over scripts will take based on your words per minute rate!

Words per Minute: 183

How To Convert Words to Minutes Using This Tool?

If you have a certain number of words or a piece of text you want to time, you can either type in the word count or paste the text into the provided area. This tool will then calculate how long it would take to read that text out loud.

The talk time estimate is calculated using the average speaking speed of adults, which is determined to be 183 words per minute based on scientific studies. If you’re interested in how long it would take to read silently, it’s estimated at 238 words per minute ( This data is also backed by research )

You can adjust the slider to change the words per minute value, which will affect the talk time estimate. However, the silent reading time estimate remains fixed at 238 words per minute. 

For ease of use, we’ve also provided reference points for slow, average, and fast reading rates below the slider.

To begin anew, simply click the ‘clear text’ button to erase the content and restore the slider back to its original setting of 183.

I. Who is This Words to Minutes Converter Tool For?

If you are a student wondering how long is my essay or you’ve been tasked with writing a speech and need to know how many words to aim for and how many minutes will it take to deliver or perhaps you are a podcaster, just starting out, who wants the ability to easily synchronize music and spoken word without having to painstakingly calculate seconds between them, then this words to time converter (or speech time calculator-you may call it if you are a public speaker) is precisely for you! 

From now on, instead of spending long hours in front of the computer trying to figure out how many seconds it takes for one phrase or section of dialogue to end and another to begin, you can let our innovative tool do all the work and convert your text to time quickly and accurately. With this powerful tool at your disposal, whether you’re giving a TED talk or just need to nail a business presentation, your life will become a little bit easier.

So keep reading to learn more about what this fantastic words to minutes converter has in store for public speakers, aspiring students, and professional radio producers alike!

Whether you want to read the text silently or speak aloud, you can use this tool as both:

• Reading time calculator
• Talk time calculator

II.I Explanation of the Reading Time

Reading time refers to the duration it takes for an average person to read a written text silently while still comprehending its content. Based on an extensive analysis of 190 studies that involved 18,573 participants , research conducted by Marc Brysbaert in 2019 suggests that the typical silent reading speed for an adult individual is approximately 238 words per minute .

To convert word count to read time for a specific text, you can do so by dividing the total word count of the text by this established value of 238. Here is the mathematical equation for determining the duration of reading time in minutes:

Reading Time = Total Word Count / 238

II.II Explanation of the Speech Time

Speech time refers to the duration it takes for an average person to read a text out loud. Based on data from 77 studies involving 5,965 people , it’s been found that most adults read aloud at a speed of approximately 183 words per minute ( research conducted by Marc Brysbaert in 2019 ). To figure out how long it will take to read a specific piece of text aloud, you can divide the total number of words in the text by this average rate of 183 words per minute.

Of course, it’s important to note that talk time can vary depending on factors such as clarity of speech, pauses for emphasis, and use of visual aids. However, using this tool for converting the number of words to minutes can still provide a helpful guideline for planning and practicing your presentation. By having a better understanding of speech rates, you can ensure that your message is delivered effectively and efficiently.

III. Benefits of Using a Words to Time Converter

Time management in presentations.

Effective time management during presentations is crucial to ensure the audience remains engaged and the information is accurately conveyed. This is where our speaking time converter comes in handy. By using this tool, presenters can easily determine how many words they need to include in their presentation to stay within the allotted time frame.

Not only does it help with time management, but it also ensures that the pacing of the presentation is consistent, making it easier for the audience to follow. With the use of this tool, presenters can confidently deliver their presentations without the worry of running over time or rushing through it.

Estimated speech time for public speaking

Public speaking can be nerve-wracking, especially when you have too little or too much information to fill your time slot. You wonder only if there were an accurate public speaking time calculator available so that you could be able to allocate the appropriate amount of time to each section of your presentation, ensuring that you cover all the necessary points without rushing or going over time. 

Effective pacing is key in ensuring your message is delivered with clarity and impact.

Most public speakers target an average of 130-150 words per minute for their spoken content, meaning you should aim to limit your speaking time to roughly one minute per 130-150 words. While this may take some practice to achieve, the end result is a confident, well-timed delivery that keeps your audience engaged from start to finish.

Remember, in public speaking, less is often more—take your time to breathe and emphasize key points. Your audience will appreciate your thoughtful and measured approach. For that, you can use this tool and adjust your words to speech time.

Accurate estimations for audiobooks and podcasts

As more and more people turn to audiobooks and podcasts for their entertainment and information needs, accurate estimations of listening time have become more important than ever. After all, there’s nothing worse than settling in for a quick listen only to find yourself trapped in a story that goes on for hours longer than you anticipated.

That’s why it’s great to see publishers and podcast producers taking estimated reading time seriously, providing listeners with the information they need to choose the right content for their schedule. Whether you’re looking for a quick listen on your daily commute or a lengthy distraction for a lazy Sunday afternoon, accurate estimations using this speaking time calculator make it easier than ever to find the perfect content.

IV. Some Popular Speech Times

V. conclusion.

As the world becomes more fast-paced, time is a precious commodity. Determining how long your script will take to read, whether for a presentation or a video, can make a significant difference in engaging and retaining your audience’s attention.

That’s where our Words to Time Converter comes in handy. It’s a valuable tool for anyone working in various professions, from broadcast journalists to teachers to executives. No matter the industry, time is of the essence, and knowing how long your speech or presentation will take is crucial for effective communication.