Free browser tool

Free Script Timer — Words to Minutes

Paste a script and see how long it takes to read aloud at slow, conversational or fast pace. Get live word and sentence counts, per-paragraph timings you can turn into YouTube chapters, and a target-length check that tells you how many words to cut. Or flip it around and find out how many words to write for a 30-second, 2-minute or 10-minute video.

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Chapter timestamps
Runs in your browser

Mode

Speaking pace

Your script

Words

Characters

Sentences

Paragraphs

Estimated duration

0:00

Add some text to get an estimate.

Target length

mins

How to time your script

Paste your script

Drop the text into the box. Separate sections with a blank line so each one gets its own timing. Markdown headings and bullets are ignored in the word count.

Pick a pace

Choose Slow, Conversational or Fast, or enter your own words per minute. Leave punctuation pauses on for screen recordings with clicks between steps.

Check against your target

Enter the length you are aiming for to see how far over or under you are, then copy the paragraph timestamps for your video chapters.

Quick reference for scripting videos

Words per minute reference

110 wpm — slow and deliberate; complex UI walkthroughs, accessibility content
140 wpm — conversational; most tutorials and product demos
170 wpm — fast; energetic intros, Shorts, ads
Audiobook narrators sit near 150–160 wpm

Typical video lengths

Shorts, Reels, TikTok — under 60 s, roughly 100–150 words
Product demo — 60–120 s, about 150–280 words
Tutorial — 5–10 min, about 700–1,400 words
Course lesson — 8–15 min, about 1,100–2,100 words

Trimming a script that runs long

Cut the preamble; start with what the viewer will get
Remove one example from any list of three
Replace explanations with a single on-screen action
Move nice-to-know detail into a follow-up video or the description

Recording with a teleprompter

Keep lines short so your eyes barely move
Mark pauses with a blank line, not extra words
Record paragraph by paragraph and cut between takes
Screen Charm's teleprompter overlays the script while you record

Frequently Asked Questions

How many words is a 1, 5 or 10 minute video?

At a conversational 140 words per minute, a 1-minute video is about 140 words, 5 minutes is about 700 words and 10 minutes is about 1,400 words. Speak slowly at 110 wpm and those drop to 110, 550 and 1,100; a fast 170 wpm gives 170, 850 and 1,700. Switch to the Words for a length mode to see the number for any duration.

What is a good speaking pace for tutorials?

Most screen-recording tutorials land between 130 and 150 words per minute. That is slower than everyday conversation, which gives viewers time to follow the cursor. Drop towards 110–120 wpm when you walk through a dense interface or code, and speed up slightly for intros and recaps.

How accurate is the estimate?

Usually within about 10 percent, which is why the tool shows a range. Real recordings run longer than the raw word count because of breaths, emphasis and clicks between steps, so leave the punctuation pauses on for screen recordings. Record one paragraph, time it, and set a custom pace if you consistently land outside the range.

Does the tool store or upload my script?

Nothing leaves your browser. The script and your settings are saved in localStorage on this device so they survive a page reload; use the Clear button to remove the text. There is no account and no server-side processing.

How do I make YouTube chapters from the paragraph timings?

Separate your script into sections with blank lines, then click Copy timestamps. You get one line per paragraph in the 0:00 Intro format YouTube expects. Paste the lines into the video description, rename any labels, and adjust the times after recording if you drifted. YouTube needs at least three chapters, the first starting at 0:00 and each at least 10 seconds long.

How do I read a script naturally on camera?

Write the way you talk, using short sentences and contractions, and read each paragraph aloud once before recording. Keep the script near the camera or the area you are demonstrating so your eyes do not wander. Screen Charm's built-in teleprompter shows the script over your screen while you record, so you can follow along without switching windows.