Speaking time

How long is a 2,000 word speech? (about 12 to 18 minutes)

At an average pace of 140 words per minute, a 2,000 word speech takes about 14 minutes 17 seconds. Slow speakers at 110 words per minute need about 18 minutes 11 seconds, fast speakers at 170 words per minute get through it in about 11 minutes 46 seconds. Reading the same text silently takes roughly 8 minutes 20 seconds.

2,000 words at three paces

PaceWords/minTime
Slow11018 minutes 11 seconds
Average14014 minutes 17 seconds
Fast17011 minutes 46 seconds

Reading silently: about 8 min 20 s at 240 words per minute

Check it against your own pace

The calculator is pre-filled with 2,000 words. Change the pace, enter your own words per minute or paste your text.

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2,000 words

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Speaking pace

Speaking time at 140 words per minute

14 min 17 s

Reading silently: about 8 min 20 s at 240 words per minute

Result at all three paces
PaceWords/minTime
Slow11018 min 11 s
Average14014 min 17 s
Fast17011 min 46 s

Pauses, slides, laughter and questions add time. Plan 10 to 20 % on top of this number.

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Tips for a 2,000 word speech

This is a keynote, a lecture or a conference talk: roughly ten to twenty minutes. Attention drops after ten minutes, so plan a change of pace every five: a story, a question, a slide that shows instead of tells. Mark your pauses in the script, budget 15 % of the slot for them and rehearse the full run at least twice.

FAQ

Questions about 2,000 words

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