You've set up your teleprompter. You've written your script. But now the text is scrolling, and something feels off.
Are you reading too fast? Too slow? How do you even know?
Let's demystify the science of speaking pace.
Speaking rate is measured in words per minute (WPM). Here's the general framework:
| Pace | WPM | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Slow | 100-120 | Explaining complex ideas, emotional moments |
| Conversational | 120-150 | Most content, natural dialogue |
| Energetic | 150-170 | Building excitement, lists, transitions |
| Rapid | 170-200+ | Only for very specific effect (rarely) |
Most professional speakers average 130-150 WPM. News anchors sit around 150-180 WPM. Auctioneers can hit 250+ WPM—but that's a different skill entirely.
Example: If 200 words takes you 1.5 minutes, you're at ~133 WPM.
Do this test three times and average the results. That's your baseline.
Once you know your WPM, set your teleprompter speed accordingly. Most teleprompter apps (including ours) let you adjust speed dynamically.
Pro tip: Set the speed slightly slower than your natural pace. This gives you room to breathe and emphasize key points without falling behind.
Different content calls for different speeds within the same piece:
You start at a reasonable pace, but anxiety pushes you faster and faster. By the end, you're racing.
The fix: Check your time at the halfway point. If you're ahead of schedule, consciously slow down. Build in "breathing checkpoints."
Hyper-focus on reading every word correctly leads to a slow, robotic pace that loses all energy.
The fix: Focus on the meaning, not the words. When you're connected to what you're saying, natural rhythm returns.
Randomly alternating between fast and slow with no relation to content.
The fix: Mark your script with pace cues:
/slow/ before important points/fast/ for high-energy sections[pause] for strategic silencesTake your script and underline it with three colors:
When you practice, follow your pace map. Eventually, it becomes instinctive.
On a teleprompter, always read 2-3 words ahead of what you're saying. This allows your voice to naturally slow down or speed up because your brain is processing upcoming content before you speak it.
It's like driving: You don't stare at the road directly under your wheels. You look ahead. Same principle.
Different platforms have different pacing norms:
| Platform | Typical Pace | Why |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube (educational) | 140-160 WPM | Viewers can pause/replay |
| YouTube (entertainment) | 160-180 WPM | Higher energy expected |
| Podcast | 130-150 WPM | Purely auditory requires clarity |
| Corporate training | 120-140 WPM | Information retention priority |
| TED Talk | 130-150 WPM | Emphasis on ideas, not speed |
| News broadcast | 150-180 WPM | Delivering maximum info in time constraint |
Try this exercise to expand your range:
You'll often discover that what feels "too slow" to you sounds paced and confident to listeners.
Your goal isn't a constant speed—it's intentional variation. A great speaker uses pace like a musician uses tempo: speeding up for energy, slowing down for emphasis, and knowing when to pause entirely.
The teleprompter is your metronome. But you're the conductor.
Our teleprompter app features adjustable scroll speed and a tempo control so you can find your perfect pace during practice sessions.