SPEECH LENGTH GUIDE · 12 MIN
How many words is a 12-minute speech?
A 12-minute speech is about 1,560–1,800 words at a typical speaking pace of 130–150 words per minute.
At twelve minutes you're in between. It's too long to wing, and short enough that one strong story can carry the whole talk.
Words in twelve minutes, at every pace
| Pace | Words per minute | Words in 12 min |
|---|---|---|
| Slow | 120 | 1,440 |
| Conversational | 140 | 1,680 |
| Rehearsed | 150 | 1,800 |
| Fast | 170 | 2,040 |
Typed up, that's about 6–7 pages double-spaced or 3–3½ pages single-spaced. Most people don't know their own pace. The speaking speed test finds your row in about a minute.
What a 12-minute speech is used for
- TEDx-style talkTED and TEDx cap talks at 18 minutes, and many run shorter.
- Conference talk with questionsA 15-minute slot is often 12 minutes of talk and three of questions.
- Pitch inside a 15-minute meetingTwelve minutes of pitch leaves a few for the decision-maker to ask what they need.
- Awards evening keynoteA short keynote before the awards are handed out.
For help with the occasion itself, see presentations and talks, interviews or toasts, eulogies and other life moments.
How to structure a 12-minute speech
Three or four sections. Here's one way to spend twelve minutes, with rough word counts at a conversational 140 words a minute:
- Opening story1 min 25 s · about 200 words
- Section one3 min · about 400 words
- Section two3 min · about 400 words
- Section three3 min · about 400 words
- Back to the opening story, and close1 min 55 s · about 270 words
Tip for this length
Rehearse with a timer and note where you should be at 4 and 8 minutes. If you are behind at the first mark, you already know which example to drop.
When you rehearse with a timer, check yourself at the 6-minute mark. At 140 words a minute you should be around word 840.
Check your own script
Set to twelve minutes. Switch to “Paste a script” to time what you've written.
12 min is about 1,560 to 1,800 words.
For 12 min, write about
1,560–1,800 words
At a typical 130–150 words per minute. That is about 6–7 pages double-spaced.
- Slow 120 wpm1,440 wordsDeliberate delivery: ceremonies, big echoey rooms, dense material, or listeners in their second language.
- Conversational 140 wpm1,680 wordsTalking it through in your own words, with natural pauses while you think.
- Rehearsed 150 wpm1,800 wordsA script you know well. No searching for words, so it runs a little quicker.
- Fast 170 wpm2,040 wordsNerves, excitement or a squeezed slot. Easy to slip into, hard for listeners to follow for long.
Not sure which pace is yours? Read a passage aloud and time yourself. It takes about a minute.
QUESTIONS
12-minute speech questions
How long is a TEDx talk in words?
TEDx talks can run up to 18 minutes, so up to about 2,340 to 2,700 words at 130–150 words a minute. A 12 to 15 minute talk at a conversational 140 is roughly 1,700 to 2,100 words.
How do I cut a 15-minute talk down to 12?
Cut a whole example, not a few words from every sentence. Trimming everywhere makes you rush; removing one section keeps the pace calm.
How many pages is a 12-minute speech?
About 6–7 pages double-spaced, or 3–3½ pages single-spaced, in 12-point type (roughly 250 and 500 words a page). Fonts and margins change this, so trust the word count over the page count.
How many words is a 12-minute speech at a slow or fast pace?
At a slow 120 words per minute, about 1,440 words. At a fast 170, about 2,040. Most people land in between; the free speaking speed test shows you where you do.
Make your 12 minutes count.
Record a minute of it and see your pace, pauses and fillers, with one fix from your coach before the real thing.
Rehearse it freeYour first Voice Snapshot is free. No account needed to try it.