Free Video Script Timer & Teleprompter
Calculate video duration from your script word count. Built-in teleprompter mode for recording. No signup required.
Estimated Duration
0:00
0s speaking + 0s pauses
Platform Duration Guide
Teleprompter
Enter your script above to use the teleprompter.
What Is a Video Script Timer?
A video script timer calculates how long it will take to read a script aloud, helping content creators plan their video duration before recording. Different speaking rates dramatically affect video length — a 150-word script takes about 60 seconds at normal pace but can stretch to 75 seconds with a deliberate, educational delivery or shrink to 45 seconds with fast-paced narration. This is critical for short-form content where platforms enforce strict duration limits: YouTube Shorts allows up to 60 seconds, TikTok up to 10 minutes (but the algorithm favors 15-60 seconds), and Instagram Reels up to 90 seconds. Our free tool goes beyond simple word-count math by accounting for natural pauses between sentences and paragraphs, giving you a more realistic duration estimate. It also includes a built-in teleprompter mode so you can practice your delivery at the target pace before hitting record.
How Does the Script Timer Calculate Duration?
The timer uses a words-per-minute (WPM) model calibrated for spoken delivery. The default normal pace is 150 WPM — the average rate for conversational speech in video content. Slow/educational pace uses 120 WPM, fast/energetic uses 180 WPM, and you can set any custom WPM value. The base calculation divides your total word count by the WPM rate. The tool then adds pause time: approximately 0.3 seconds per sentence break (period, exclamation mark, question mark) and 0.8 seconds per paragraph break. This models the natural breathing and emphasis pauses that real speakers use. The teleprompter mode uses the calculated WPM to scroll your script at a steady pace, highlighting the current line. You can adjust speed in real-time during playback, pause, and restart — all running in the browser with no external dependencies.
Features
- ✓Calculate video duration from word count automatically
- ✓Adjustable speaking pace (slow, normal, fast, custom WPM)
- ✓Built-in teleprompter mode with auto-scroll
- ✓Platform-specific duration guides (YouTube Shorts, TikTok, Reels)
- ✓Section-by-section timing breakdown
- ✓Pause estimation for natural delivery
Benefits
Hit Platform Duration Limits Precisely
YouTube Shorts (60s), TikTok (15-60s sweet spot), Instagram Reels (90s) — each platform has an optimal duration window. The script timer shows you exactly how long your script will run, so you can trim or expand before recording instead of discovering timing issues in post-production.
Practice with the Teleprompter
The built-in teleprompter scrolls your script at your target pace with the current line highlighted. Practice your delivery, build muscle memory for the right speed, and identify tongue-twister phrases or awkward transitions before you start recording.
Account for Natural Pauses
Raw word-count calculators underestimate duration because they ignore pauses. This tool adds realistic pause time for sentence breaks and paragraph transitions — giving you a duration estimate that matches actual spoken delivery, not robotic reading.
Optimize Speaking Pace for Your Content
Tutorial content works best at 120-130 WPM (slow enough for comprehension). Energetic entertainment content can push 170-180 WPM. This tool helps you find the right pace for your content type and audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many words per minute is normal speaking speed?
Normal conversational speaking speed is 130-160 words per minute (WPM). For video content, 150 WPM is the standard baseline. Educational and tutorial content typically uses 120-130 WPM for clarity. Fast-paced entertainment content can reach 170-180 WPM. Audiobook narration averages 150-160 WPM.
How many words do I need for a 60-second video?
At normal speaking pace (150 WPM), a 60-second video needs approximately 140-150 words. At slow/educational pace (120 WPM), you need about 110-120 words. At fast pace (180 WPM), you can fit 165-175 words. Our tool calculates this precisely including natural pause time.
Is the teleprompter feature free?
Yes, completely free with no signup required. The teleprompter runs entirely in your browser — your script text is never uploaded to any server. You can adjust scroll speed in real-time, pause, and restart as needed.
Does the timer account for pauses and breathing?
Yes. The tool adds approximately 0.3 seconds per sentence break and 0.8 seconds per paragraph break to model natural pauses. This gives you a more realistic duration estimate compared to simple word-count-divided-by-WPM calculators.
What is the optimal video length for YouTube Shorts?
YouTube Shorts can be up to 60 seconds. The algorithm tends to favor videos between 30-60 seconds that maintain high retention. For maximum reach, aim for 45-58 seconds — long enough to deliver value but short enough to encourage rewatching, which boosts the algorithm signal.
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