Script Length Calculator

Work out how many words you need to write to hit a target podcast or video runtime, based on your speaking pace.

How to use the Script Length Calculator

  1. Enter your valuesEnter your target episode length, speaking pace, pauses and any music/ad minutes to subtract.
  2. Read the results instantlyThe number of words your script needs, plus page counts, appear.
  3. Copy or sharePress the copy icon on any result card, or use Copy link to these values — the page URL stores your inputs so you can bookmark or send the exact calculation.

About the Script Length Calculator

The Script Length Calculator works backwards from a target running time to a word count: how many words to write for a 10-minute video, a 30-minute podcast or a 1-hour talk. It accounts for your speaking pace, pauses and non-speech minutes.

Page counts are included (about 250 words per double-spaced page) so you can brief writers or plan notes.

How the Script Length Calculator works

Words = (target minutes − music/ads) ÷ (1 + pause%) × words-per-minute. For 20 minutes at 150 wpm with 8% pauses and 2 minutes of extras that is 18 ÷ 1.08 × 150 = 2,500 words.

words = (minutes − extras) ÷ (1 + pause%) × wpm

What people use it for

Scriptwriting

Know your word target.

Podcasting

Plan episode length.

Video essays

Match a runtime.

Speeches

Fit a time slot.

Tips for the best results

  • Draft slightly over and cut — scripts almost always read longer than they look.
  • Use your own wpm from a read-through.
  • Subtract intro/outro music before computing.

Common problems & fixes

Script is too longCut to the word count shown or speak faster (carefully).
Result seems smallMake sure extras are not larger than your target.

Quick facts

InputsTarget minutes, wpm, pauses, extras
OutputsWords, speaking time, pages

Frequently asked questions

How many words per minute?

130–170 for natural reading.

How many words for 5 minutes?

About 650–700.

Is this the reverse of the Podcast Episode Length Calculator?

Yes — that one estimates runtime from a word count; this one estimates the word count needed for a target runtime.

Your audio never leaves your device

This tool runs entirely in your browser using the Web Audio API. Nothing is uploaded, stored or shared — there is no server to send your file to, so it works offline once the page has loaded.

← Browse all free audio tools

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