Typical Conversational Speech Rate Words Per Minute Source

What the published figures say

Research on English speech rate consistently reports conversational delivery in the region of 140 to 160 words per minute, with 150 the figure most often quoted as typical.

Two things are worth knowing about any such source. The figures come from recorded samples of specific populations, and they average across speakers who differ enormously. A rate twenty percent either side of the published number is entirely normal.

Reference material on speech and language, including material published by the NIDCD, is commonly cited for these ranges.

Why a single source cannot answer the question for you

Speech rate varies with language, subject, familiarity, emotion and audience. The same person delivering a rehearsed presentation and describing their weekend will differ by thirty words per minute or more.

Treat any published number as a benchmark for comparison, not as a target to hit.

Measuring your own rate instead

A measured figure is more useful than any average. Read a passage aloud, time it, and divide: the words per minute calculator does the arithmetic and gives you a number that is actually yours.

Do it twice, on different material, and use the average of the two.

Typical Conversational Speech Rate Words Per Minute Source FAQ