Voiceover Script Timer & Checker
Instantly check your script length and hit your target duration
If you are writing a script for a voiceover project, this tool helps you check whether your word count fits your time limit before recording.
Paste your full script or enter a word count below. Choose a reading speed, and set a target duration like 15, 30, or 60 seconds to see if you need to trim or add words.
Privacy Note: This tool works entirely locally in your browser. Your text is never uploaded or saved.
Select Voiceover Pace
Target Duration Checker
Got a strict time limit? Select your target duration to see if your script fits the chosen pace.
Important Planning Caveats
Estimates assume a constant reading pace. Real professional recordings include natural pauses, emphasis on key points, dramatic beats, and necessary breathing gaps. Additionally, technical wording, complex names, and numbers inherently take longer to articulate. Always leave a small buffer when writing to a strict time limit.
Voiceover Pace Demonstrations
Listen to how these different reading speeds sound in practice. You can use these short scripts as a reference when writing your own text.
Measured / Slow (120 WPM)
"When you need to deliver a message with real impact, taking your time is the most powerful tool you have. A slower pace allows every single word to breathe. It gives your audience the space they need to absorb the information, building a sense of trust and authority. This measured approach ensures your voiceover feels confident, reassuring, and undeniably professional."
Natural / Conversational (150 WPM)
"If you are looking for a voiceover that just sounds like a genuine conversation, this natural pacing hits the sweet spot every time. It is exactly the right speed for explainer videos, corporate presentations, and engaging brand stories. You want your listeners to feel like they are being spoken to by a friend, rather than being lectured at. This conversational rhythm keeps things moving forward nicely while remaining completely clear, approachable, and easy to understand."
Fast / Energetic Commercial (175 WPM)
"When you need to grab attention instantly, a fast and energetic commercial read is exactly what you are looking for! This high impact pacing is perfect for retail promotions, radio adverts, and hard hitting social media campaigns where every second counts. You have a massive amount of information to squeeze into a tiny window, and you need it delivered with absolute confidence, clarity, and enthusiasm. Do not let your audience look away for a moment. Keep the energy soaring right through to the final call to action!"
Need an accurate voiceover quote?
Send over the details below and I'll come back to you with a proper quote based on word count, usage and turnaround.
Understanding Script Timing and Voiceover Pacing
When reading aloud, a professional voiceover artist must leave room for natural phrasing, breathing, and articulation. That is why voiceover reads average around 150 words per minute, which is significantly slower than the speed most people read silently in their heads.
The right pace also depends heavily on the project style. A warm, reassuring narration for a documentary might call for a measured 120 WPM delivery. A fast, punchy radio or TV commercial might push up to 175 WPM to pack in excitement and details. Character voices, complex terminology, and dramatic reads each bring their own timing considerations.
Voiceover Word Counts by Duration
| Target duration | Measured, 120 WPM | Natural, 150 WPM | Fast commercial, 175 WPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 seconds | 30 words | 38 words | 44 words |
| 30 seconds | 60 words | 75 words | 87 words |
| 60 seconds | 120 words | 150 words | 175 words |
| 90 seconds | 180 words | 225 words | 262 words |
When you are ready, listen to Guy's commercial voiceover demo or narration demo. If you already have a brief, you can send the script and requirements for an accurate response.