Counting Words for Voice-Over Timing

[ 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!