How long is my script?
Paste your script or enter a word count, and this tool divides the total by a reading pace to give you a running time. The default pace is 140 words per minute, set slower than normal conversation because most people slow down once a camera is on them.
Why your real time will run longer
The number you get is a read time for the words alone. It doesn't know about the pause before the punchline, the glance at a slide, or the aside you always add in the client story. Add time for each of those on top of the estimate instead of trying to fold them into a faster or slower pace setting. A script that calculates at four minutes with two planned pauses and a slide change is probably closer to five in the room.
Using the number to plan your take
If your estimate comes in over your slot, cut lines rather than planning to speed up. Reading faster usually costs you the eye contact and delivery you wanted in the first place. If it comes in short, you have room for the ad-lib or the pause you were going to cut for time. Once the length feels right on paper, the next test is saying it out loud with the script under the camera instead of on a page. That's a different job than counting words.
How the estimate is worked out
The tool counts the words in your script, then divides that number by a words-per-minute rate to get a time in minutes. You can pick the rate: 120 wpm reads slow and deliberate, about 150 wpm is conversational, and 160 or higher is brisk. The default is 140, a little slower than normal conversation, because people reading to a camera tend to ease off their usual pace to stay clear and steady. If you know you talk fast, try 150 or 160 and see how the time shifts.
Questions
Why is my script slower on camera than when I talk normally?
People naturally slow down when they're being recorded, which is why the tool defaults to 140 words per minute instead of a faster conversational rate. Looking at a lens instead of a person changes pacing even when the words don't change.
Does this tool save or store my script?
No. The text you paste is used to count words and then discarded — it isn't saved anywhere, and there's no sign-up or email required to use the tool.
Does the time estimate include pauses or slides?
No, the estimate is words divided by pace, so pauses, slide changes, and ad-libs aren't counted. Add extra time for those on top of the number the tool gives you.
How many times can I use this tool?
Five times per day, then it stops until tomorrow. If you need to check scripts more often, Stinger's teleprompter shows your pace and read time as you actually speak, and you can try it with a free 7-day trial.
Updated September 12, 2026