How to calculate words to seconds?
Calculating the duration of a voice-over script based on the number of words can be helpful for estimating how long the recording will be. Generally, the average speaking rate is around 125 to 150 words per minute (wpm) for natural and clear speech. Here’s how you can calculate words to seconds:
- Calculate Words per Minute (WPM):
- Determine the average speaking rate you want to use. For example, if you choose 150 wpm:WPM = 150 words per minute
- Divide Words by WPM to Calculate Seconds:
- Divide the total number of words in your script by the chosen words per minute rate to get the estimated duration in minutes.Estimated Duration (minutes) = Total Words / WPM
- Convert Minutes to Seconds:
- Multiply the estimated duration in minutes by 60 to convert it to seconds.Estimated Duration (seconds) = Estimated Duration (minutes) * 60
Keep in mind that the speaking rate can vary depending on the content, style, and pacing of the script. A more complex script with technical terms or emotional content might be spoken slower than the average rate, while a straightforward script might be spoken faster.
Also, consider adding a few seconds for natural pauses, breaths, and potential variations in pacing. This will help provide a more accurate estimate of the actual recording time.
Additionally, using a digital audio workstation (DAW) or online tools designed for calculating script duration can make this process more convenient. Simply paste your script into the tool, and it will provide you with an estimated recording duration based on the average speaking rate.
