Free in-browser script timer
Turn words into speaking time
Paste a YouTube script, voice-over, ad read, or other spoken copy. Count its words, choose a speaking pace and target length, and estimate the finished runtime. Your text stays in your browser.
What the words-to-time calculator shows
- Live word, character, sentence, and paragraph counts.
- Estimated spoken runtime at a preset or custom pace from 80 to 220 words per minute.
- A target-length word budget for Shorts and videos from 30 seconds to 20 minutes.
- How many spoken words the draft sits over or under the selected target.
Speaking time calculator reference at 150 words per minute
| Target video length | Approximate script length |
|---|---|
| 30 seconds | 75 words |
| 1 minute | 150 words |
| 3 minutes | 450 words |
| 5 minutes | 750 words |
| 8 minutes | 1,200 words |
| 10 minutes | 1,500 words |
How the script timer works
Count the spoken words in the script, divide the total by the selected words-per-minute pace, and convert the result into minutes and seconds. Pauses, demonstrations, B-roll, and unscripted moments should be added separately.
Use it as a voice-over script timer
Paste the actual narration and choose a pace that matches the intended delivery. Use the estimate to edit the first draft, then rehearse aloud to account for emphasis, scene changes, disclaimers, and pauses.
Start from a free YouTube script template or write the complete video in Influencer Notes.
YouTube script timing questions
How do I convert words to speaking time?
Divide the number of spoken words by the delivery pace in words per minute. For example, 750 words at 150 words per minute is 5 minutes. Paste the actual script into the calculator to count the words and run the calculation automatically.
Can I use this as a voice-over script timer?
Yes. Paste the narration, choose a pace close to the voice actor's delivery, and use the result as a first timing pass. Leave extra room for pauses, emphasis, scene changes, disclaimers, and words that are not meant to be read aloud.
How many words are in a one-minute YouTube script?
At a natural speaking pace of 150 words per minute, a one-minute script is about 150 words. A slower delivery may use about 120 words, while an energetic delivery may reach 180 words.
What speaking speed should YouTubers use?
Most conversational YouTube scripts fall between 130 and 170 words per minute. Use a slower pace for technical explanations and emotional stories, and a faster pace for energetic entertainment.
Does the timer upload or save my script?
No. The calculator runs in the browser and does not upload or save the text you paste into it.