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How long to speak 500 words

Spoken English is slower than silent reading. A clear presentation pace is about 110–150 words per minute. 500 words is roughly 3.5–4.5 minutes.

Pick a pace

Keynote: ~120 WPM with pauses. Classroom: ~140. Auctioneer-fast does not land slides. The Speaking Time Calculator uses a slower default than reading time on purpose.

Slides vs script

If you read every word on the slide, cut the script. Time the spoken script only. 500 words plus 8 slides with stories will overrun a 4-minute slot.

Steps

  1. Paste the spoken script (not slide bullets).
  2. Check minutes at speaking pace.
  3. Cut 10% if you have a hard slot.

Frequently asked questions

Open the Speaking Time Calculator

The guide is the rule. The tool does the count. No account.

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More short guides: all Wordnio guides.