Voice-over words per minute calculator
Paste a script or enter a word count. Set the length it has to fit to get the words per minute that takes, or set a pace to see how long the script runs.
Either way, the pace is checked against typical voice-over speaking ranges, so you can tell whether it will sound natural or the script needs trimming. Counting happens in your browser.
Required pace
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Add words and a length
Words
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Pace range
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See the ranges below
Typical voice-over speaking ranges
| Words per minute | Pace | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Under 110 | Very slow | Meditation, sleep stories and lines that need room to land |
| 110–139 | Slow | Audiobooks, documentaries and detailed training |
| 140–159 | Normal | Explainers, YouTube narration, podcasts and e-learning |
| 160–179 | Fast | Ads, promos, trailers and short social clips |
| 180+ | Very fast | Disclaimers and quick reads; hard to follow for long |
Rules of thumb, not a standard: voices, languages and styles differ. Listen back before you commit.
The free plan includes 25,000 characters a month, no card needed. Copy your script, then paste it into the editor after you sign in.
How to time a script to a target length
- 1
Paste the script, or switch to word count and type a number.
- 2
Choose whether you have a target length or a speaking pace in mind.
- 3
Enter the length in minutes and seconds, or pick a pace in words per minute.
- 4
Compare the result with the speaking ranges, and trim or add words if it falls outside a comfortable one.
Good to know
How the pace is worked out
Required pace is the word count divided by the target length in minutes. A 300-word script that has to fit 2 minutes needs 150 words per minute.
Ranges are rules of thumb
The speaking ranges are common guidance, not a standard. Voices, languages and styles differ, so treat them as a starting point and listen back before you commit.
Trim before you rush
If a script needs 180 words per minute or more to fit, cutting words usually sounds better than reading faster. The calculator shows how many words fit at a normal pace.
Fine-tune the voice speed
In the ToneCraft editor the voice speed can be set from 0.7× to 1.5×, so a generated read can be nudged faster or slower without rewriting the script.
Questions, answered
What is a good words per minute for voice-over?
Most narration sits between 130 and 170 words per minute. Around 150 suits explainers and YouTube narration; slower suits audiobooks and documentaries, and faster suits ads and promos.
How do I calculate words per minute?
Divide the number of words by the running time in minutes. For example, 450 words read in 3 minutes is 150 words per minute.
How many words fit in a 30-second ad?
About 85 words at a fast 170 words per minute, or 75 at a normal 150. Leave a beat at the end for the call to action.
How many words is one minute of voice-over?
About 150 at a normal pace, and anywhere from 130 to 170 depending on the delivery. Pauses, music and on-screen moments without narration come on top.
Is my script uploaded?
No. Words are counted in your browser, and the text is not sent to our servers or recorded.