Speaking speed test
How fast do you speak?
Talk naturally for 20–30 seconds and this tool measures your speaking speed — words per minute for English, or characters per minute for Chinese — then tells you how it compares. Everything runs on your device. Great prep for talks, podcasts, and presentations.
Press Start & speak, allow the microphone, and talk naturally for 20–30 seconds in a quiet room. Press stop to see your speaking speed.
Runs entirely in your browser — your audio is analyzed on-device by counting loudness peaks (syllables) and never leaves your computer. Works for English and Chinese; a quiet room gives the most accurate estimate. To turn your speech into polished writing in any Mac app, use Openbroca.
What's a good speaking pace?
Most people speak at roughly 120–150 words per minute in conversation. The right pace depends on context:
- Presentations & speeches: ~120–140 wpm keeps you clear and easy to follow.
- Podcasts & conversation: ~140–160 wpm feels natural and lively.
- Audiobooks & narration: ~150–160 wpm is a common target.
If you land above ~185 wpm, slowing down and adding pauses usually makes you easier to understand.
How it works
The tool listens to the loudness pattern of your voice and counts syllables — each syllable is a peak in intensity — then divides by the time you spoke to get your rate. It never transcribes your words or sends audio anywhere, so it works the same offline and in any language. Speak for at least 20–30 seconds in a quiet room for a reliable number, and talk the way you normally would rather than rushing.
Want the count to be exact?
Counting syllables from loudness is a fast, private estimate — great for a ballpark pace, but background noise or very soft speech can nudge the number. For accurate dictation that turns your speech into polished writing and types it into any Mac app, use Openbroca.
Frequently asked questions
How is words per minute calculated?
It measures loudness peaks in your audio to count syllables — no transcription — then converts to words (English) or characters (Chinese) and divides by the minutes you spoke. Speak for 20–30+ seconds for a stable reading.
What is a normal speaking speed?
Conversational English is usually around 120–150 wpm. Presentations are often a bit slower (120–140) for clarity, while lively podcasts can run 140–160.
Is it free and private?
It's free with no account, and fully private: the measurement runs entirely in your browser and your audio never leaves your device — nothing is uploaded to any server.
Does it work in every browser, and with Chinese?
Yes — it only needs microphone access and the Web Audio API, which every modern browser (Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox) supports. Because it counts syllables instead of recognizing words, it works for English, Chinese, and any other language.
Why is the count slightly off?
It estimates syllables from loudness, so background noise, very soft speech, or heavily run-together words can shift the count a little. A quiet room and a normal speaking volume give the most accurate reading.
More free tools
- Microphone test
- Mic test — record & playback
- Online voice recorder
- Speech to text
- Text to speech
- Speech time calculator
- Background noise test
- Speaker & headphone test
See all free voice & audio tools, or learn what Openbroca does on your Mac.
Turn your voice into text, accurately
Openbroca is native AI dictation for macOS — speak, and your words become polished writing right where your cursor is, in any Mac app, with talk-to-translate into 28 languages. Free to start on macOS 15 or later.
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