Speaking rate test
What is your words per minute? Read the passage below out loud, tap Stop, and see your speaking rate. Most speeches are planned at about 120 to 150 words per minute; everyday conversation runs at about 150. No microphone needed.
Read this passage out loud
Tap Start, read the passage out loud at your normal speaking pace, then tap Stop.
Every morning, my neighbor walks her dog to the end of our street and back. It takes about ten minutes, and she has done it for as long as I can remember. Rain or sun, she wears the same green coat and carries the same small flashlight, even in the middle of summer. One day I finally asked her why she bothered. She laughed and said the flashlight was a habit from years ago, when the street lights were broken for a whole winter. She never needed it again, but she liked knowing it was there. I think about that often. Most of us carry something like her flashlight: a phrase we repeat when we are nervous, a song we hum, a small routine that keeps us steady. It does not have to be useful every day. It only has to be ready on the day we need it most.
150 words
No microphone is used and nothing is recorded: the test only measures time.
What your result means
| Your rate | What it means |
|---|---|
| Under 120 words per minute | Slow and deliberate. Good for emphasis and hard material; a whole speech this slow can drag. |
| 120 to 150 words per minute | A steady speech pace: the range most speeches are planned in. |
| Over 150 words per minute | Brisk, at or above everyday conversation. For a speech, slow down a little and pause more. |
What is a normal speaking rate?
| Situation | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday conversation (American English) | about 150 WPM | National Center for Voice and Speech |
| Audiobook narration | about 155 WPM | ACX: 9,300 words per finished hour |
| A speech or presentation | plan at 120 to 150 | A planning range for talks with pauses |
There is no single "correct" rate. A good speaking pace is one your audience can follow, with pauses where they matter. Words per minute: average speaking rate goes deeper.
Too fast or too slow: what to do
If you're fast:
- Pause at every period when you practice. It slows the whole speech without sounding slow.
- Mark pauses in your notes with a slash.
- Breathe at the end of each sentence.
- Cut content instead of speeding up to fit it.
If you're slow:
- Practice from short bullet points instead of reading full sentences.
- Lift your energy on the key lines, not on every word.
- Record yourself: a pace that feels slow to you may sound fine to a listener.
Measure it on your own speech
Reading a written passage is usually a little faster than speaking your own words, so your real speaking rate may be lower than this test shows. To measure it on a real speech, record yourself, count the words and divide by the minutes, or paste the text into the speech length calculator and compare its estimate with your recording.
Mic Buddy measures this for you on iPhone and iPad: after each take it shows your words per minute, filler words, pauses and clarity, and its Steady pace drill aims for about 130 to 160 words per minute. It's free to download. Using it takes a subscription: a yearly, monthly or weekly plan. This test is free and runs in your browser.
Speech timer
Need to time a speech instead? Set your target length and start the timer while you practice out loud.
Elapsed0:00
Time left5:00
Frequently asked questions
What is my words per minute when speaking?+
Read the 150-word passage on this page out loud at your normal pace and tap Stop. The test divides 150 by the minutes you took. Reading is usually a little faster than speaking your own words.
What is a good speaking rate?+
For a speech or presentation, about 120 to 150 words per minute, with pauses. Everyday conversation in American English runs at about 150 (National Center for Voice and Speech).
How do I calculate my words per minute when speaking?+
Record yourself speaking for 2 minutes, count the words and divide by 2. For example, 280 words in 2 minutes is 140 words per minute.
Is 150 words per minute fast?+
It is about the average for everyday conversation, so it is normal when talking. For a speech it is on the brisk side: a little slower, with pauses, is usually easier for an audience to follow.