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education2026-07-162 min read

How Many Words Are in a 5-Minute Speech?

Learn how to estimate speech length based on average reading and speaking speeds. Find out the word count for a 5-minute public talk easily.

On average, a person speaks at a rate of 130 to 150 words per minute.
Therefore, for a 5-minute speech, you will need between 650 to 750 words.

If you speak slowly (110 wpm), aim for 550 words. If you speak faster, you may hit 800 words.

To count your speech draft length, use our free online Word Counter to get character and read-time stats.