Speaking speed test
How fast do you speak?
Talk naturally for 20–30 seconds and this tool measures your speaking speed in words per minute, then tells you how it compares. Great prep for talks, podcasts, and presentations.
Press Start & speak, allow the microphone, and talk naturally for 20–30 seconds. Press stop to see your words per minute.
Counts words from your browser's speech recognition, which may send audio to the browser vendor. For private, on-device dictation in any 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 uses your browser's speech recognition to count the words you say while timing how long you speak, then divides words by minutes to get your WPM. Speak for at least 20–30 seconds for a reliable number, and read or talk the way you normally would rather than rushing.
Want the count to be exact?
Browser speech recognition is good but not perfect, so the word count is an estimate. For accurate, private transcription that types into any app — with on-device models so your audio stays local — use OpenBroca.
Frequently asked questions
- How is words per minute calculated?
- The tool transcribes your speech with the browser's speech recognition, counts the words, and divides by the time you spoke (in minutes). 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. The measurement runs in your browser, though browser speech recognition may send audio to the browser vendor's servers, depending on the browser.
- Why doesn't it work in my browser?
- The Web Speech API isn't available everywhere — Firefox and some browsers don't include it. Use the latest Chrome or Edge.
- Why is the word count slightly off?
- Speech recognition can mishear words, especially with background noise or accents, so the count is an estimate. A quiet room and a good mic improve accuracy.
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 about OpenBroca.