Free tool
Wedding speech length calculator
How long will your speech take to say out loud, and how many words fit the time you have? Enter a word count or paste your speech, choose your pace, and compare it with the usual length for your role.
Work out your timing
Words to minutes
We count the words for you. Your speech stays in this browser and is not sent anywhere.
Enter a number of words to see how long it takes.
Minutes to words
Enter the minutes you have to see how many words fit.
How long should a wedding speech be?
These are the lengths our role guides suggest. Pick a role in the calculator to compare your speech with them.
| Role | Time | Words |
|---|---|---|
| Best man | 5 to 7 minutes | 650 to 900 words |
| Maid of honour | 4 to 6 minutes | 500 to 800 words |
| Father of the bride | 5 to 7 minutes | 650 to 900 words |
| Mother of the bride | 3 to 5 minutes | 400 to 650 words |
| Father of the groom | 3 to 5 minutes | 400 to 650 words |
| Mother of the groom | 2 to 4 minutes | 250 to 500 words |
| Bride | 3 to 5 minutes | 400 to 650 words |
| Groom | 5 to 7 minutes | 650 to 900 words |
| Sibling | 3 to 5 minutes | 400 to 650 words |
| Friend | 2 to 4 minutes | 250 to 500 words |
| Officiant | 5 to 8 minutes | 650 to 1,000 words |
How the calculator works
It divides your word count by your speaking pace. Toast's own estimate uses a steady 130 words a minute, a comfortable pace for reading aloud to a room.
Laughter, applause and pauses all add time, so if your speech is close to the limit, trim it a little.
Tips for getting the timing right
- Read it out loud with a timer, at the pace you will really use. Nerves tend to speed people up.
- Allow for laughter. A good line needs a moment to land.
- Cut from the middle, not the ending. The toast is what people remember.
Questions about speech length
How many words is a 5 minute speech?
About 650 words at a steady 130 words a minute. At a relaxed or brisk pace, that is between about 550 and 750 words.
How long is a 1,000 word speech?
Just under 8 minutes at 130 words a minute, or between about 6 and a half and 9 minutes depending on your pace.
How long should a best man speech be?
5 to 7 minutes, roughly 650 to 900 words, is a good length for a best man speech. Shorter is fine, especially if several people are speaking.
Need the words as well as the timing?
Toast helps you write a speech at the length you choose: 3, 5 or 7 minutes.