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Understanding WPM (Words Per Minute)

What WPM means and how to interpret your speaking pace

3 min readUpdated 11/30/2024beginner

Words Per Minute (WPM) is one of the key metrics ServoSpeak tracks. Understanding your WPM helps you calibrate your speaking pace for different situations.

WPM Ranges Explained

  • Below 100 WPM: Very slow, may lose audience attention
  • 100-120 WPM: Slow but deliberate, good for complex topics
  • 120-150 WPM: Conversational pace, natural and engaging
  • 150-180 WPM: Presentation pace, energetic but clear
  • Above 180 WPM: Fast, may sacrifice clarity

Context Matters

There's no single 'right' WPM. Adjust your pace based on:

  • Topic complexity: Slow down for technical content
  • Audience familiarity: Slower for new concepts, faster for familiar ones
  • Emotional tone: Vary pace to create emphasis and engagement
  • Time constraints: Speed up slightly for time-limited presentations

Tip

Practice varying your WPM intentionally. Try the same content at different speeds to develop dynamic control.

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