Tip: read one minute of your script aloud with a timer, count the words, and enter that as your own pace.
| Format | Time limit | Your talk |
|---|
| Slide | Words | Time |
|---|
Runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you paste is uploaded.
Words for common time limits
| Talk | Limit | About this many words at 130 wpm |
|---|---|---|
| Elevator pitch | 1 minute | 130 |
| Three Minute Thesis (3MT) | 3 minutes | 390 (most winning scripts are shorter) |
| Ignite talk | 5 minutes, 20 slides of 15 seconds | 650, about 32 per slide |
| PechaKucha | 6 minutes 40 seconds, 20 slides of 20 seconds | 865, about 43 per slide |
| Investor or demo-day pitch | 5 minutes | 650 |
| Conference talk | 12 minutes | 1,560 |
| TEDx-style talk | 18 minutes maximum | 2,340 |
These are estimates. Real talks run longer than the word count suggests, because you pause, react to the room and repeat key points. Leave room for that, especially in formats with a hard cutoff.
Why timing on paper is only half the job
A word count tells you whether the script fits. It does not tell you whether you can say it in time with slides changing, without losing your place. That only shows up when you rehearse out loud, with the slides in front of you.
Questions
How many words is a 3-minute speech?
At about 130 words per minute, a 3-minute talk is roughly 390 words; at a brisk 150 it is about 450. A Three Minute Thesis is usually written well under that, because pauses and emphasis take time.
How many words per minute do people speak when presenting?
Many presenters land somewhere around 120 to 160 words per minute, and nerves usually push people faster. This calculator lets you pick a pace or enter your own; the most reliable number is the one you measure by timing yourself reading the script aloud.
How do I time each slide?
Put a line with three dashes (---) between the text for each slide. The calculator shows how long each slide's words take and flags slides that run long for timed formats like PechaKucha (20 seconds) or Ignite (15 seconds).
Is my script uploaded anywhere?
No. The calculation runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you paste is sent to Aitho or anyone else.
Now rehearse it out loud
Import your slides and paste this script into Aitho. The script follows your voice and your slides advance as you speak, so you can hear where it runs long. Free to start.
Rehearse with Aitho →