Counting Words for Voice-Over Timing

Posted on by Larry

[ This article was first published in the August, 2008, issue of
Larry’s Final Cut Pro Newsletter. Click here to subscribe. ]

Gregory Ikens sent this to Philip Hodgetts who sent it to me:

The following word count timings should assist you in determining how many words will comfortably fit within a specified amount of time in a spot. This guide assumes a “normal” rate of speech (neither fast nor slow) and a basic “announcer” read.

Please note that for phone numbers, each spoken number = 1 word.
(i.e., 1-877-000-0000 = 11 words)

WORD COUNT TIMINGS

WORDS SECONDS
7 words
3 seconds
12 words
5 seconds
17 words
7 seconds
23 words
10 seconds
35 words
15 seconds
70 words
30 seconds
140 words
60 seconds

Larry replies: I love trivia like this. Thanks!

 


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22 Responses to Counting Words for Voice-Over Timing

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  1. Florida Koolman says:

    hey, noble blog on lardy loss. said helped.

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