How many words is a 5-minute speech?
A 5-minute speech is about 600 to 800 words, or around 700 at an average speaking pace. Five minutes gives you room for three points, each with a story or an example.
Step by step: fit a script to an exact time
- Paste the script. The editor counts the words you’ll actually say, leaving out # labels and [notes], and shows how long the script runs at your speed.
- Type a target in Fit to. Need it to land at 2:30? Type 2:30 into Fit to and save. Reframely sets the speed for you: here, 165 words a minute.
- Read with the time left in view. The prompter counts down the time left as you read, so you know at a glance whether you’re on schedule.
Words and pages for 5 minutes
| Pace | Words | Double-spaced pages | Single-spaced pages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slow (120 wpm) | 600 | about 2½ | about 1 |
| Average (140 wpm) | 700 | about 3 | about 1½ |
| Fast (160 wpm) | 800 | about 3 | about 1½ |
Pages assume about 250 words to a double-spaced page and 500 to a single-spaced one, in a 12-point font. They're a rough guide; the word count is what matters. For other lengths, use the speech length calculator.
A minute-by-minute plan
| Minute | What goes there | Words |
|---|---|---|
| 0:00 to 0:45 | Opening: a story, a question or a number, and what you'll cover | about 100 |
| 0:45 to 1:55 | First point and example | about 165 |
| 1:55 to 3:05 | Second point and example | about 165 |
| 3:05 to 4:15 | Third point and example | about 165 |
| 4:15 to 5:00 | Close: bring it back to the opening, and one thing to remember | about 105 |
Put a # heading above each part in your script. If you lose your place or need a retake, you can jump straight back to the start of a section.
When five minutes is the brief
- A eulogy. Three to five minutes is common when several people speak. Emotion slows you down, so write for 600 words rather than 800, and mark places to pause.
- A class or course presentation. Slides take time to switch and point at, so plan around 650 words of speech.
- A first Toastmasters speech. The Ice Breaker is meant to run about four to six minutes (Toastmasters), so five minutes of material sits in the middle of the window.
- A lightning talk at a meetup or conference.
Check the timing before the day
- Paste your script into Reframely's editor. It shows the word count and read time as you type.
- Type
5:00into Fit to and save. The scroll speed is set so the script ends on time. - Read it once out loud. If the speed feels rushed, the script is too long: cut words rather than reading faster.
Questions
How many words should a 5-minute speech be?
600 to 800 words. Around 700 suits an average pace; aim lower if you'll use slides or expect laughter.
How many pages is a 5-minute speech?
About two and a half to three double-spaced pages, or one and a half single-spaced pages.
How long is a 4 to 6-minute speech in words?
About 480 to 960 words. Aiming for around 700 lands you near five minutes at an average pace.
Sources
Last updated .