# Script Length Calculator: Words to Seconds for Video Ads

> Paste a video ad script and see how long it takes to read aloud, or how many words fit in a 15, 30 or 60-second Reel or TikTok. Free.

Canonical: https://use-addy.site/tools/script-length-calculator

Paste your script and pick a speaking pace. See how many seconds it runs and whether it fits a 15, 30 or 60-second ad.

Script Length Calculator is a free tool from Addy, an AI agent that makes portrait video ads for Instagram Reels, TikTok and YouTube Shorts. It runs in the browser on the HTML page; this markdown version describes it.

## Why people use it

- **Fit the slot.** A 15-second ad holds roughly 35 to 40 words at a natural pace. The calculator tells you how much to cut before you record.
- **Three paces.** Calm, natural and fast reads, because a talking-head ad and a punchy meme ad are not read at the same speed.
- **Hook check.** Shows how long your first line takes, so you know the hook lands in the first two seconds.

## How it works

1. **Paste the script.** Spoken words only. Leave out stage directions.
2. **Pick a pace.** Natural is about 150 words a minute, a common speaking rate for ads.
3. **Trim to fit.** Cut filler words until the script fits the length you are buying.

## Questions

### How many words are in a 15-second ad?

About 35 to 40 words at a natural pace of roughly 150 words a minute. Fast reads fit around 45; calm ones about 30.

### How many words for a 30 or 60-second video?

Roughly 75 words for 30 seconds and 150 for 60 seconds at a natural pace. Leave a beat of silence for the call to action.

### How fast do people speak in ads?

Typical conversational speech is about 130 to 170 words a minute. UGC-style ads often run at the faster end because creators talk quickly.

### How long should the hook be?

Short enough to say in about 2 seconds, so 5 to 7 words. The calculator shows the hook's time on its own.