Guides · 5 min read · September 18, 2026
Teleprompter speed: how many words per minute?
Most people read comfortably at 130 to 160 words per minute. Here's how to find your number and what it means for script length.
| Video length | Words at 130 wpm | Words at 150 wpm | Words at 170 wpm |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 seconds | 33 | 38 | 43 |
| 30 seconds | 65 | 75 | 85 |
| 60 seconds | 130 | 150 | 170 |
| 90 seconds | 195 | 225 | 255 |
| 3 minutes | 390 | 450 | 510 |
| 10 minutes | 1,300 | 1,500 | 1,700 |
By video type
- Tutorials and explainers: 130 to 150 wpm, so people can follow.
- YouTube talking head: 140 to 160 wpm.
- TikTok, Reels, ads: 160 to 180 wpm, high energy.
- Speeches and sermons: 120 to 140 wpm, with pauses.
Find your pace
Read a passage aloud with our speaking speed calculator. Then set the teleprompter to that speed, or use voice scrolling and forget about speed settings entirely.
Read your script hands-free on iPhone, iPad and Mac. The teleprompter follows your voice.