Use our Free Script-to-Time Calculator to instantly convert your word count into minutes and seconds.
Writing a script for TikTok, YouTube, or a speech? Use our Free Script-to-Time Calculator to instantly convert your word count into minutes and seconds.
⏱️ Script-to-Time Calculator
Paste your script below to see how long it will take to read.
0 Words0 Characters
Slow Pace0m 00s(110 WPM)
Average Pace0m 00s(140 WPM)
Fast Pace0m 00s(170 WPM)
Free Script-to-Time Calculator: Stop Guessing Your Video Length
You have written the perfect script. The jokes land, the hook is catchy, and the call-to-action is strong. You set up your camera, hit record, and deliver your lines.
Then, you look at the timer. 1 minute and 45 seconds.
The problem? You were filming a YouTube Short (maximum 60 seconds). Now you have to rewrite the entire script, cut out the best parts, and re-film everything.
This is the "Creator's Nightmare." In the world of algorithmic video, Time is a Constraint. TikToks, Reels, and Shorts have hard time limits. Even in long-form video, if you ramble for too long, your retention drops and the algorithm kills your video.
That is why professional creators never guess. They calculate.
Our Free Script-to-Time Calculator (Teleprompter Tool) is designed to tell you exactly how long your video will be before you even turn on the camera.
[Tool Section]
(Paste the Script-to-Time Calculator HTML Code here)
Why "Words Per Minute" (WPM) Defines Your Success
Writing for the eye is different than writing for the ear. When you read a book silently, you read much faster than you speak. This creates a "Time Distortion" illusion for scriptwriters. You might think a 300-word script is short, but when spoken aloud, it's a 2-minute monologue.
To master pacing, you need to understand WPM (Words Per Minute).
The 3 Speeds of Content Creation
Our tool above calculates three different speeds because not all videos are created equal.
1. The "Slow" Pace (110 - 120 WPM)
Use Case: Documentaries, Dramatic Storytelling, Guided Meditations, Sad News.
Why: You need to leave room for the audience to process heavy emotions. You need pauses for B-Roll footage to breathe.
Example:Vox videos or cinematic travel vlogs.
2. The "Average" Pace (130 - 150 WPM)
Use Case: Standard YouTube Tutorials, Podcasts, Keynote Speeches, Business Presentations.
Why: This is the natural speed of conversation. It feels comfortable, authoritative, and friendly without being boring.
Example:Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) or standard Ted Talks.
3. The "Fast" Pace (160 - 180+ WPM)
Use Case: TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, MrBeast-style intros.
Why: Short-form algorithms punish silence. You need to cram as much value as possible into 60 seconds. High energy keeps the dopamine flowing.
Example:Alex Hormozi or GaryVee.
Platform Limits: The "Danger Zones"
When using the calculator above, keep these hard limits in mind for your specific platform.
YouTube Shorts & Instagram Reels
Hard Limit: 60 Seconds (Reels can go to 90s, but 60s is safer for cross-posting).
Target Word Count:130 - 150 words.
Strategy: If your script is 180 words, you are in the danger zone. You will have to talk incredibly fast (rap god speed) to fit it in, which might make you sound frantic and hard to understand. Cut the fluff.
TikTok
Hard Limit: 10 Minutes (but don't use it all).
Viral Sweet Spot:15 to 30 Seconds.
Target Word Count:40 - 75 words.
Strategy: TikTok is about density. Can you say in 10 words what usually takes 20?
Commercials / Ads (UGC)
Standard Lengths: 15s, 30s.
15s Limit: ~35 words.
30s Limit: ~70 words.
Strategy: Ad agencies are strict. If you deliver a 32-second video for a 30-second ad slot, they will reject it. Use our tool to be precise.
How to Shorten Your Script (Without Losing Value)
You pasted your script into the tool and it says "1 Minute 20 Seconds." You need it to be 59 seconds. How do you cut 21 seconds without ruining the video?
1. Kill the "Warm Up"
Delete the first sentence.
Before: "Hey guys, welcome back to the channel, today I want to talk about..." (3 seconds wasted).
After: "Here is why your coffee tastes burnt." (Instant hook).
2. Remove Adverbs and "Filter Words"
Words like "really," "very," "actually," "basically," and "literally" add time but no meaning.
Before: "I was actually really surprised that it was literally so fast."
After: "I was surprised it was so fast."
3. Use Visuals Instead of Words
Don't describe what you are showing.
Before: "This phone has a beautiful, shiny, red metal backplate." (3 seconds).
After: "Look at this red finish." (1 second + B-roll of the phone).
Teleprompter Tips: How to Read Naturally
Once you have your script timed perfectly, you might use a Teleprompter app to record it. The danger of a teleprompter is "Robot Voice"—staring dead-eyed at the lens and reading in a monotone voice.
1. The "Comma Pause" Rule When writing your script for a teleprompter, don't use standard grammar. Use line breaks for pauses.
Standard: "The economy is crashing, and here is why you should care."
Prompter Format: The economy is crashing... <br> And here is why you should care.
2. Look Through the Lens If you are using a phone teleprompter, the text scrolls over the camera. Make sure you are looking through the text at the lens, not at the text. If your eyes are darting back and forth reading, the audience will notice.
3. Vary Your Speed Even if our calculator says "Average Pace," you shouldn't speak at one constant robot speed. Speed up for exciting lists; slow down for important emotional points.
SEO Benefits of Scripting
Writing a script doesn't just help with timing; it helps with SEO (Search Engine Optimization).
Platforms like YouTube and TikTok generate Auto-Captions. Their algorithms "read" these captions to understand what your video is about. If you "wing it" and mumble, the captions will be inaccurate, and the algorithm won't know who to show your video to. If you script your video with keywords (e.g., "Best AI Tools 2025") and speak them clearly, you are feeding the algorithm the exact data it needs to rank you.
Conclusion: Respect the Viewer's Time
Time is the only resource your viewer cannot get back. If a video feels "slow" or "dragged out," it is usually because the creator didn't calculate their WPM.
Using the Script-to-Time Calculator is a sign of respect for your audience. It shows you have taken the effort to edit your thoughts, respect their time, and deliver value efficiently.
Bookmark this tool. Before you hit "Record" on your next masterpiece, paste your text here. Ensure you are hitting that 60-second mark perfectly.
Now that your timing is perfect, is your headline clickable? Use our YouTube Title Clickability Scorer to make sure people actually click to hear your perfectly timed script!
