Words to minutes calculator
Paste your script, or type a word count, to see how long it runs when read aloud. Change the pace to match the delivery — slower for documentaries and audiobooks, quicker for ads and social clips.
Counting happens in your browser: the text you paste is not uploaded or stored.
Reading time
0 s
at 150 words per minute
Words
0
Characters
0
spaces included
How to estimate reading time
- 1
Paste the script into the box, or switch to word count and type a number.
- 2
Pick a narration pace, or enter your own words per minute.
- 3
Read the running time, and the character count if you plan to voice the script with AI.
Good to know
Pace changes everything
The same 1,000 words run about 5 min 53 s at a brisk 170 words per minute and about 7 min 42 s at a relaxed 130. Pick the pace you will actually use.
Words and characters
Narrators think in words; AI voice tools usually bill in characters. The calculator shows both, so one script can be budgeted either way.
Pauses are extra
Long pauses, music beds and scene breaks are not part of the estimate. Add them on top when you plan a finished video or episode.
Languages without spaces
For Chinese and Japanese, a word count depends on how the text is split into words, so the character count is the steadier guide.
Questions, answered
How many words per minute is normal for narration?
There is no single standard. Common rules of thumb put narration somewhere around 130 to 170 words per minute — slower for audiobooks and documentaries, faster for ads. The calculator starts at 150 and lets you set any pace.
How long is a 1,000-word script?
About 6 min 40 s at 150 words per minute. At a relaxed 130 it is about 7 min 42 s, and at a brisk 170 about 5 min 53 s.
How many words do I need for a 10-minute video?
About 1,500 words at 150 words per minute — anywhere from 1,300 to 1,700 depending on pace. Leave room for pauses and on-screen moments without narration.
How does ToneCraft measure script length?
In characters. Plans are sized at about 55,000 characters per hour of audio — roughly 917 a minute — and the free plan includes 25,000 characters a month.
Is my script uploaded anywhere?
No. Words and characters are counted in your browser, and the text is not sent to our servers or recorded.