Script Duration Calculator
Paste a script or enter its word count, choose a speaking pace, and estimate narration time without uploading your text or using AI.
Estimate your narration time
Speaking pace
Choose words per minute
Use a preset or enter a custom pace from 50 to 500 WPM.
Your script stays in this tab. No upload or AI analysis.
Why use this script duration calculator?
- Counts Unicode text with locale-aware word boundaries, including scripts without spaces
- Supports pasted scripts or a manual word count when the text is stored elsewhere
- Includes careful, conversational, standard, and fast speaking presets plus custom WPM
- Formats estimates as m:ss or h:mm:ss and compares every preset pace
- Validates empty text, word-count limits, and speaking rates from 50 to 500 WPM
- Processes text only in your browser without uploads, storage, or AI analysis
Frequently asked questions
How does the script word counter handle punctuation and different languages?
The calculator uses the browser’s locale-aware word segmenter when available. Punctuation and emoji are not counted as words, while letters and numbers across Unicode writing systems are recognized. Results can differ slightly from an editor that uses different rules for contractions or compound words.
What speaking pace should I choose?
Around 130 to 150 words per minute is a useful starting range for tutorials and product demos. Use a slower pace for technical explanations, unfamiliar terms, or accessibility, and a faster pace for energetic introductions or short social clips.
Why might the finished recording be longer than the estimate?
The formula assumes continuous speech. Pauses, slide changes, demonstrations, emphasis, retakes, and breathing add time. Rehearse once and add a margin when timing a live presentation or strict video slot.
When should I use manual word count?
Use it when your script is in another editor, when only a word-count total is available, or when you want to model a future script before writing it. Manual mode does not inspect the pasted text.
How is the displayed time rounded?
The mathematical estimate is rounded to the nearest whole second for the clock display. Durations under one hour use m:ss; longer estimates use h:mm:ss.
Is my script uploaded or analyzed by AI?
No. Word counting and duration math run locally in the browser. This tool does not upload, store, transmit, or send your script to an AI service.
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