mimicHow it works
The calculator counts the words in your script and divides by your speaking pace. Pace is the only setting that matters, so set it to yours: read a paragraph aloud for a minute and count the words.
It also checks the result against the 3-minute maximums for YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels.
| Length | Words at 130 wpm | Words at 150 wpm | Words at 170 wpm |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 s | 33 | 38 | 43 |
| 30 s | 65 | 75 | 85 |
| 45 s | 98 | 113 | 128 |
| 60 s | 130 | 150 | 170 |
| 90 s | 195 | 225 | 255 |
Words = seconds × wpm ÷ 60, rounded.
Writing to length
- 1
Pick the length first
The brief or the platform usually sets it.
- 2
Write to the word count
Hook in the first line, one point per sentence.
- 3
Read it aloud with a timer
If you rush, cut words rather than talk faster.
- 4
Leave room for the edit
Pauses come out in the edit, so a 35-second read can land near 30.
Worked example
A 75-word script read at 150 wpm.
75 ÷ 150 = 0.5 minutes = 30 seconds.
At a faster 170 wpm the same script runs 75 ÷ 170 × 60 ≈ 26 seconds.
Sources
Questions
How many words is a 60-second video?
About 150 words at 150 words per minute. Slower speakers land nearer 130, faster ones 170 or more.
How many words is a 30-second ad?
About 75 words at 150 wpm. Leave a little room for the product shot and the call to action.
What's the average speaking pace?
About 150 words per minute for US conversational English, according to the National Center for Voice and Speech as cited by VirtualSpeech. Yours may differ.
How long can a YouTube Short or Instagram Reel be?
A Short can run 3 minutes (YouTube Help). A Reel can run 20, but Instagram doesn't recommend reels over 3 minutes to new audiences, so 3 is the practical cap.
Do edits change the length?
Yes. Cutting pauses and restarts usually shortens a take. Mimic removes them automatically, so the finished video is tighter than your read.