Free Tool
Video Script Length Calculator
Paste a script to get word count, spoken length and narration chunks in real time.
Narration chunks (0, 5–7 words each)
Your chunks will appear here as you type.
About the Video Script Length Calculator
The Video Script Length Calculator turns a script into a spoken-length estimate. Paste or type your narration and it instantly shows the word count, the character count and how long the video will run at a slow, normal or fast speaking pace.
Knowing the length before you record saves real time. If you are aiming for an eight-minute video and your script comes out at eleven, you can trim it now instead of after a voice-over session. If it comes out short, you know how much room you have to add.
The tool also cuts your script into short narration chunks of five to seven words, each with a running timestamp. That is roughly the amount of narration one image or one cut covers in a fast-paced faceless video, so the list doubles as a starting point for a shot list or an image-prompt list.
Everything runs in your browser. Your script is never sent anywhere, and the results update as you type.
How to use it
- Paste your script into the box, or type it directly.
- Choose your speaking pace: Slow (about 120 words per minute), Normal (about 150) or Fast (about 170).
- Read your word count, character count and estimated video length, which update live.
- Use the chunk list for timing or scene planning, and click Copy all chunks to take it with you.
Frequently asked questions
How many words per minute is a YouTube voice-over?
Conversational narration usually falls between about 120 and 170 words per minute. This tool uses 120 for a slow, deliberate pace, 150 for a normal pace and 170 for a fast pace, so you can see the range for your own speaking style.
How long is a 1,000-word script?
At a normal 150 words per minute, a 1,000-word script runs about 6 minutes 40 seconds. At 120 words per minute it is about 8 minutes 20 seconds, and at 170 it is about 5 minutes 53 seconds.
How do I calculate video length from word count?
Divide the number of words by your speaking pace in words per minute. For example, 900 words at 150 words per minute is 6 minutes. This calculator does that for you and shows the result as minutes and seconds.
Does the estimate include pauses, music or b-roll?
No. It estimates speech only. If your video has long pauses, intros, outros or silent sections, add that time on top of the estimate.
Why split a script into chunks of 5 to 7 words?
Short chunks map neatly to a single visual. In a fast-cut video a new image often appears every couple of seconds, and five to seven words is about that much narration. The chunk list gives you a quick view of how many visuals a script would need.
Is my script saved or uploaded anywhere?
No. The calculator runs entirely in your browser. Your text is not sent to a server and is gone when you close the page.