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How Many Words Per Minute is Good Speaking

Do you talk fast or slow? If you are both, you may lose an essential thing during public speaking or presentations: the audience! A reasonable speaking rate for daily conversation varies from 120 -150 words per minute (wpm). The wpm is not fixed and changes according to the different type of events or activities.

If you talk fast, it can be difficult for the audience to absorb the message. And if you speak slowly, they may find the material unattractive and dull. So, it is essential to find out the perfect speaking rate for good speaking.

Read on! You will find everything about how many words you should speak per minute, how to calculate wpm and how to control wpm.

What are the average words per minute (WPM)?

Word per minute (WPM) is also known as speaking rate. The average WPM changes dramatically according to the purpose of the speech. According to the National Centre for Voice and Speech, the average speaking rate for English speakers in the United States is about 150 wpm. However, an average person speaks approximately 100 – 150 wpm, and a radio presenter or podcaster wpm is higher.

Below is a list of average speech rates for different activities or events.

Average speech rates

  • Presentations: The wpm is between 100 – 150 for a comfortable pace of speaking.
  • Conversational: The wpm is between 120 – 150.
  • Audiobooks: The wpm is between 150 – 160.
  • Radio hosts and podcasters: The wpm is between 150 – 160.
  • Auctioneers: An auctioneer can speak at about 250 wpm.
  • Commentators: The wpm is between 250- 400.

Are the average words per minute important?

In short, yes, it is crucial, and it has an impact on how the audience perceives you and your speech. The speech speed affects your comprehension, clarity, and customer experience. These qualities mentioned above are discussed below:

  • Comprehension

Comprehension means how your audience will understand the speech. A good wpm is vital if you want your speech to be satisfying to your audience. Improving comprehension skills will help them find answers on this topic. It will also ensure that they don’t have to search online for better and more valuable materials.

  • Clarity

Well, clarity in your speaking will increase the audience’s focus on the subject. And, you can help your audience learn and get a better result with your call to action (CTA). Using clarity will allow you to get rid of the filler words, such as like, you know, I mean, etc. It also keeps you focused on the topic and can quickly remove the redundant materials. 

  • Customer experience 

A good wpm will get you more good customer reviews, recommendations, and sales in the long run. 

Therefore, achieving your target WPM will enable you to improve your grip on the language. You can remove redundant words that don’t enhance meaning. For example, the overused word is the following: literally, really, just, wrap my head around, etc.

How to calculate your words per minute?

Are you wondering about how to find your word per minute?

The first step to calculate WPM is to record your speech using a recorder. Then, manually count the word or upload it to a speech-to-text platform such as IBM Speech-to-text and count the words. After calculating the total words, divide it by the whole recorded time. In simple,

Words per minute (WPM) =  ( Total words)/(Number of minutes)

What are the factors that influence your overall speaking rate?

There are a lot of factors that can influence your speaking rate. Some of them are crucial in speaking, and you can control them. Below are several factors that can affect your overall speaking rate:

  • Regular speaking rate.

This is the result of your environment. For example, your childhood neighbourhood, culture, friends and family around you and much more.

  • Nervousness.

Nervousness tends to increase your speaking rate during a speech. When you are nervous, you should take short, shallow breaths as you rush through the content.

  • Saying something urgent.

When there is an emergency, we speak much quicker than usual. For example, explaining an incident to the police or calling an ambulance.

  • Mental fatigue.

I believe that you heard that tiredness affects our thought process. Fatigue also makes it harder for us to speak at a moderate speed. As a result, we speak slowly in public or during a presentation.

  • Complexity of the words.

This is a beginner mistake. We sometimes use longer, more complex words to make it classy and acceptable to the audience. But, instead of making it clear and easily understandable to the audience, we make it complicated. Also, difficult words take slightly longer to say, and if you are counting words per minute, it will affect your WPM.

  • Complexity of content.

Same as above. In short, if the content is complex:

  • It will take more time to speak.
  • Also, you have to give the audience extra time to comprehend the concepts and content.

  • Verbal pauses

Taking pauses during a talk is a great way to break down the topic and emphasise what you are saying.

  • Event-driven pauses.

These pauses happen when there are changes in slides, giving a demo of your product or checking your notes and so on.

  • Audience driven pauses.

These events are not your fault and caused by your audience. For instance, when they laugh and ask a question.

 

How to control your speaking rate?

A moderate and adaptive speaking rate can help you become a successful speaker. It makes you stand out in the competition, and the audience can understand what you are saying. The benefits are a lot. Below are a few steps you can take to control your speaking rate.

1. Find out your pace

Calculate your speaking rate or word per minute. After identifying your pace, check that you are speaking too fast or slow. Use the list below:

 Average speech rates

Events Word per minute (WPM)
Presentations 100 – 150
Normal Conversation 120 – 150
Audiobooks 150 – 160
Radio hosts and podcasters 150 – 160
Auctioneers About 250
Commentators 250- 400

Anything less than the average is slow and more significant than the standard is too fast. Follow the list and make changes at your speaking pace if necessary.

2. Take pauses in speech.

Taking pauses during speaking is good exercise. It allows you to take a shallow breath and improve the audience’s perception of the subject. So, you should take some pauses while speaking, but don’t overdo it. For example, you can take:

  • One-second break after the end of each sub-point.
  • Two-second pause after you click on a new visual.
  • Three to four seconds could span the gap between two main points.

3. Practice your timing.

No one can become a perfect speaker; everyone lacks something in some area. But, with practice, you can improve your condition and differentiate yourself from others. So, record yourself with a recording device and hear it later. You can also practice in front of your friend and family and ask for honest feedback.

4. Watch famous speaker videos online and listen to good speakers.

Nowadays, you can find a lot of famous speaker videos online. You can watch and learn from these resources to improve your speaking. Here are a few ted’s talk videos you could watch:

 5. Read books and factual reports

To familiarise yourself with many topics, you should read books or report from a newspaper or magazine. You should go through it silently, then read it loudly and record it. Make notes where necessary. By reading, practising, and recording, you will be able to adjust your speaking rate.  

If you don’t have the time and energy to follow the tips mentioned above and resources, you can take a public speaking online course with *******.

Wrapping up

Speaking with average words per minute is vital in your career advancement. Your speech rate influences how your viewer sees you and your speech. Also, it can benefit you greatly in your social life.

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A daily conversations average wpm is 120-150, and it varies dramatically according to the events. Read this blog to know how many words per minute is good speaking.

November 27, 2024

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