Words to Time Calculator

Instantly estimate your recording time at your reading speed using our free, easy-to-use magic script timer.

Select Your Delivery Speed

Option 1: Enter Word Count

Already know the word count? Enter below:

Estimated time to read script:

Option 2: Paste Script

Enter your full script into the box and we'll estimate the length of the finished audio.

Estimated time to read script:

10 Reasons Why You Need a Script

You need a script because it:

Clarifies your message and focus on the most critical points.
Plans and organizes your content logically and cohesively.
Saves time and resources by allowing you to plan and rehearse before filming.
Communicates your ideas effectively and efficiently to your team.
Helps you stay on track and avoid wasting time on unnecessary shots or footage.
Creates a consistent tone and style for your video.
Incorporates and integrates multimedia elements, such as music, graphics, and special effects.
Anticipates and solves potential problems or challenges during filming.
Shares your vision with your team and ensure everyone is on the same page.
Finally, measures the success of your video by setting clear goals and objectives.

3 Quotes to Inspire Your Script Writing

“A script is not a finished product; it’s a blueprint for a finished product.” – Robert McKee, screenwriter and story consultant
“The more we work on a script, the more the script becomes a living, breathing entity. It starts to tell us what it wants, and we become the midwives.” – Nora Ephron, screenwriter and director
“A script is like a roadmap. It has to be clear and concise, but it also has to be flexible. You can’t be too attached to it, because things are going to change as you start to shoot.” – Ava DuVernay, director and screenwriter

8 Surprising Stats About Script Writing (You Probably Didn’t Know)

In 2020, the average length of a feature film script was 117 pages. (Source: The Black List)
The most popular length for a TV pilot script is 44-49 pages. (Source: The Black List)
In 2021, the most popular genre for feature film scripts was drama, followed by comedy and horror. (Source: The Black List)
The most popular genre for TV pilot scripts in 2021 was drama, followed by comedy and action/adventure. (Source: The Black List)
In 2019, the average length of a YouTube video was 14.7 minutes. (Source: Vidyard)
The average length of a podcast episode is 44 minutes. (Source: Edison Research)
In 2020, the average length of a Netflix original series was 5.5 hours. (Source: The Hollywood Reporter)
In 2021, the average length of an Amazon Prime original series was 6.5 hours. (Source: The Hollywood Reporter)

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you time a script?

Use our script timer above. Just enter the word count of your script or paste the whole script. It will then give a ballpark idea of how long it will take to record. You can also use the built-in stopwatch or timer on your operating system (or phone) to manually time how long it takes for the script to run. Or, if you want to get more technical, you can check the logs for the start and end times of the script execution. Again, this will give you a rough estimate of how long the script took to run.

How long is a 3000-word script?

It’s hard to estimate the length of a script based on the number of words alone, as the length of a script depends on the genre, the pacing of the story, the number of characters, and the amount of dialogue. However, depending on these factors, a 3000-word script could be anywhere from 15 to 30 pages. A general rule of thumb is that one page of a script equates to approximately one minute of screen time, so that a 30-page script would be approximately 30 minutes long.

How long does it take to speak 300 words?

It takes 1-5 minutes to speak 300 words based on your delivery speed.