Script Timer
Paste your script, pick your speaking speed, and instantly see how long it will take to read aloud.
Speaking Speed
Conversational pace
Script Stats
Speaking Speed Reference
Slow, deliberate pace. Good for formal speeches and complex topics.
Natural conversational speed. Most common for online content.
Brisk, professional pace. Common for news anchors and narrators.
Rapid delivery. Good for energetic content and experienced speakers.
Instant Duration Estimate
See your read time update live as you type or paste your script. No waiting, no refreshing.
Adjustable WPM
Choose from preset speeds or dial in a custom WPM to match your exact speaking pace.
Teleprompter Ready
One click sends your script to the built-in teleprompter for seamless recording.
Free Script Timer & Read Time Calculator
How long will your script take to read? Whether you're writing a YouTube video script, preparing a presentation, or drafting a podcast outline, knowing the duration before you record saves time and retakes. The MindLink AI Script Timer gives you an instant, accurate estimate based on your actual word count and speaking speed.
How It Works
- Paste your script into the text editor above
- Choose your speaking speed: Slow (100 WPM), Medium (130 WPM), Fast (160 WPM), or set a custom WPM
- Read the results: Word count, character count, and estimated duration appear instantly
- Check the category: See whether your script is Short Form, Standard, or Long Form content
- Open in Teleprompter: When ready, send your script directly to our free online teleprompter
Why Use a Script Timer?
- Hit your target length: YouTube Shorts need to be under 60 seconds. Standard videos typically run 8-12 minutes. Know before you record.
- Reduce retakes: If your script is too long or too short, you can edit before pressing record
- Plan your content calendar: Estimate how much content you can produce based on script lengths
- Improve pacing: Experiment with different WPM settings to find your natural speaking speed
Average Speaking Speeds
The average person speaks at about 130 words per minute in conversation. However, speaking speed varies significantly based on context. Formal presentations tend to be slower (80-100 WPM), while energetic YouTube content often hits 150-160 WPM. Audiobook narrators typically read at 150-160 WPM, and news anchors average around 150 WPM.
Our script timer lets you experiment with different speeds to find what feels natural for your content style. The custom slider goes from 80 to 200 WPM, covering everything from slow, deliberate speeches to rapid-fire commentary.
Script Length Guidelines
- YouTube Shorts / TikTok / Reels: 20-40 seconds (40-80 words at 130 WPM)
- Instagram Stories: 15-30 seconds per slide
- Standard YouTube video (8 min): ~1,040 words at 130 WPM
- Long-form YouTube (15 min): ~1,950 words at 130 WPM
- Podcast episode (30 min): ~3,900 words at 130 WPM
- Keynote speech (20 min): ~2,000 words at 100 WPM
Ready to Record?
Send your script to the teleprompter and start recording. Or try our voice typing tool to transcribe your recordings.