How Long Is a 700-Word Speech?

Speaking and reading time for 700 words, at a slow, natural or fast pace, plus page count.

700 words ≈ 5 min of speech

At a natural pace of 140 words per minute. Slow speaker: 5 min 50 s. Fast speaker: 4 min 22 s. Silent reading: 2 min 56 s.

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    How long is 700 words?

    PaceWords per minuteTime for 700 words
    Slow, calm (presentation, audiobook)1205 min 50 s
    Natural (speech, YouTube video)1405 min
    Fast, upbeat (podcast, TikTok)1604 min 22 s
    Very fast (auctioneer, ads)1853 min 47 s
    Silent reading2382 min 56 s

    Most people speak between 120 and 160 words per minute in public. Pauses, slides and audience reactions add time, so for a timed talk, plan about 10 % less text than the table suggests.

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    700 words in pages

    LayoutPages
    Single-spaced (12 pt, standard margins)1.4
    Double-spaced (12 pt)2.8
    Handwritten (about 250 words per page)2.8
    Slides (about 40 words per slide)18

    Tips to time your 700-word script

    • Read it out loud once with a timer: your real pace beats any average.
    • Mark pauses with [pause] in the calculator above to include them.
    • Cut adjectives and repeated ideas first if you are over time.
    • For video, a natural pace with short sentences keeps viewers watching.

    Other word counts

    Know your time limit instead? See how many words for a speech of:

    Updated October 2026.

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    Frequently asked questions

    How many minutes is 700 words?

    About 5 min when spoken at 140 words per minute, a natural pace for speeches and videos. It ranges from 4 min 22 s (fast) to 5 min 50 s (slow).

    How long does it take to read 700 words?

    Silent reading is faster than speaking: about 2 min 56 s at 238 words per minute, the average adult reading speed.

    How many pages is 700 words?

    About 1.4 pages single-spaced or 2.8 pages double-spaced, with a 12-point font and standard margins.

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