Slides and words by presentation length
| Talk length | Content slides | Words to speak |
|---|---|---|
| 3 min | 2–3 | 360–480 |
| 5 min | 2–5 | 600–800 |
| 7 min | 4–7 | 840–1,120 |
| 10 min | 5–10 | 1,200–1,600 |
| 15 min | 8–15 | 1,800–2,400 |
| 20 min | 10–20 | 2,400–3,200 |
| 30 min | 15–30 | 3,600–4,800 |
| 45 min | 22–45 | 5,400–7,200 |
| 60 min | 30–60 | 7,200–9,600 |
Based on 1–2 minutes per slide and 120–160 words per minute, the usual pace for a class presentation.
The rule of thumb: 1 to 2 minutes per slide
Most speakers spend between one and two minutes on a slide. Slides with a single image or a big number go faster, sometimes 30 seconds. Slides with a chart, a diagram or a demo go slower, often three minutes or more. That is why a 10-minute talk usually lands at 5 to 10 content slides, plus a title slide that you show for a few seconds.
If you are not sure, aim for the middle: one slide for every 1.5 minutes. You can always remove a slide after the first rehearsal. Adding one at the last minute is much harder.
How long should your script be?
People usually speak at 120 to 160 words per minute when presenting. Nerves make most students speak faster than they think, so plan for the slower end. A 5-minute speech is about 600 to 800 words, and a 10-minute talk is about 1,200 to 1,600 words. Paste your notes into the box above to check.
A simple structure that fits any time limit
- Opening, about 10% of the time. A question, a surprising fact or a short story, then one sentence on what you will cover.
- Main points, about 80%. Two to four ideas. Give each one its own slide or small group of slides.
- Recap, about 10%. Repeat the key takeaway in one sentence and end on it, not on “that’s it”.
If your teacher adds time for questions, subtract it first and plan the slides for the time that is left.
Common mistakes
- Too much text on a slide. Keep it to a heading and a few short points. The details go in what you say.
- Reading the slides aloud. Your audience reads faster than you speak. Talk around the slide instead.
- Skipping the rehearsal. Run through the talk once with a timer. It is the fastest way to find out whether you have too many slides.
Questions
How many slides for a 5-minute presentation?
Usually 3 to 5 content slides plus a title slide. In a short talk, every slide should carry one clear idea.
How many slides for a 20-minute presentation?
About 10 to 20 content slides. If your topic has a lot of charts or examples, stay near the lower end.
How many words is a 5-minute speech?
About 600 to 800 words at a normal speaking pace of 120 to 160 words per minute.
Should I count the title slide?
Most teachers don’t. Count only the slides you actually talk about, and add the title slide and a closing slide on top.
What is the 10/20/30 rule?
A well-known rule for pitch decks: no more than 10 slides, no longer than 20 minutes, and no font smaller than 30 points. It works well for persuasive talks; class presentations often need a few more slides.