Speaking rate test
Read the card out loud at your normal pace. The highlighter follows your voice and measures your words per minute.
0 words per minute
What is a normal speaking rate?
| Under 120 wpm | Slow: speeches, sermons, complex explanations |
| 120–140 wpm | Calm: presentations, tutorials, audiobooks |
| 140–160 wpm | Average: conversation, YouTube, podcasts |
| 160–180 wpm | Fast: short social videos, sales pitches |
| Over 180 wpm | Very fast: auctioneers, ads read at speed |
FAQ
What is the average speaking rate?
Most people speak between 140 and 160 words per minute in conversation and on camera. Presentations are usually slower, around 120 to 140, because of pauses and emphasis.
How is my rate measured?
The test counts the words you read and divides by the time between the first and the last word you said. When your browser supports speech recognition, the start and end are detected from your voice; otherwise the clock runs from “Start” to “I’m done”.
Is reading speed the same as speaking speed?
No. Reading silently is much faster, about 238 words per minute for adults. Reading out loud is closer to your speaking rate, which is why this test uses it.
How can I slow down when I speak?
Write shorter sentences, mark a pause after each key idea, and look up at the end of every sentence. A teleprompter that follows your voice helps, because it never pushes you forward.
Is my voice recorded?
No. The page records nothing. To turn speech into text, Chrome sends the audio to Google and Safari to Apple; we never receive it.