Free tool: script length calculator
How many words for a 2-minute video?
About 268 words in English. A natural narration pace is about 134 words a minute, so a 1-minute video needs about 134 words and a 3-minute video about 402. Paste your script to see how long it will run, or choose a length to see how many words to write.
Words for each video length
| Video length | English (134 words a minute) | Spanish (122 words a minute) |
|---|---|---|
| 30 seconds | about 67 words | about 61 words |
| 1 minute | about 134 words | about 122 words |
| 2 minutes | about 268 words | about 244 words |
| 3 minutes | about 402 words | about 366 words |
| 5 minutes | about 670 words | about 610 words |
| 10 minutes | about 1,340 words | about 1,220 words |
Measured on finished KolaVid videos: words of narration for each minute of video, including the short pauses between scenes.
Where these numbers come from
The rates are what KolaVid's AI narrator actually delivered in finished videos: about 134 words a minute in English and 122 in Spanish, counting every word of narration against the whole length of the video. That includes the short pauses between scenes, so the numbers fit a finished explainer, not just a voice reading without stopping.
Other languages are estimated at about 117 words a minute until we have measured them. A human voice-over can be faster or slower: a calm lesson runs slower, an advert faster. Change the words a minute in the calculator to match your voice.
Why Spanish needs fewer words
The same idea usually takes more syllables in Spanish than in English, so a narrator says fewer words in a minute. A 2-minute Spanish video needs about 244 words where English needs about 268. Portuguese and French are closer to Spanish than to English.
Tips for writing a script to length
- Count only the words the narrator says. Headings, scene notes and directions are not spoken.
- Numbers take longer to say than to write: $52.50 is spoken as five words.
- Keep sentences short, about 11 words, so each one can match one drawing or point.
- Leave a little room: a script about 5% under the target leaves space for pauses.
- Read the script aloud once with a timer; the calculator gets you close, your voice decides.
Turn the script into a video
Paste the finished script into KolaVid and it is narrated word for word in a natural AI voice, with a drawing for each point as it is said. Choose 16:9, 9:16 or 1:1 and a length of 1, 2, 3 or 5 minutes. A free account makes one 2-minute video with no card.
How many words is a 1-minute video?
About 134 words in English and about 122 in Spanish.
How many words for a 2-minute video?
About 268 words in English and about 244 in Spanish.
How many words is a 5-minute video?
About 670 words in English and about 610 in Spanish.
How long is a 500-word script?
About 3:43 minutes in English, at 134 words a minute.
Does the calculator count headings?
It counts every word you paste. Take out headings, scene notes and directions first, since the narrator does not say them.
Can KolaVid read my script word for word?
Yes. Paste it and it is narrated exactly as written, with drawings made to match. Free videos are up to 2 minutes; paid plans up to 5.