How to estimate voice over studio time using word count and the other factors that affect a recording session.
In this article
If you're planning to book studio time for a voice-over recording, it's vital to have a clear idea of how much time you'll need. Most experienced industry professionals keep rough averages in mind, and a words to time calculator can give you an estimate of the time your voice-over session will take.
How Long Does It Take to Record a Voice-Over?
Estimating words to speech time can be tricky because several factors are involved, and additional overrun time is usually factored in if the recording isn't completed within the allocated slot.
In most cases the estimate is based on the word count of the script. It's also essential to consider the accuracy and complexity of the script, the type of voice-over, the competency of the artist, the quality of the equipment, the language being recorded, and more.
An online words to time calculator can help. You can also reach out directly to a voice over agency for an estimate tailored to your specific project.
Word Count Is Key to the Session Length
An average person speaks about 130 words per minute in English. If you tend to speak very fast or slow, that figure will vary accordingly, and reading speed works on the same principle. On average, reading speed sits between 170 and 240 words per minute in English, depending on the reader's ability and the difficulty of the text.
Word count is important when calculating session length. Some rough estimates to consider:
- Corporate videos – 1,500 words/hour
- IVR recording – 1,000 words/hour
- Educational and e-learning recording – 2,500 words/hour
- Documentary narration – 30 minutes of narration/hour
- Languages other than English – add roughly 40% to the times above
Other Variables That Impact Recording Time
Words to time conversion is also affected by many other factors:
- Competency and speed of voice over talent varies, which impacts total session time.
- Number of takes needed also matters. A 1,000-word script with five takes effectively becomes a 5,000-word script.
- Directors and creatives on the line give the artist real-time feedback, but incorporating those changes requires more studio time.
- Translated languages take longer than English. Each language varies in length and complexity and needs additional checks to ensure accuracy in video translation.
- Advance preparation speeds things up. If the artist receives the script ahead of time to practise, sessions run faster; without it, they can run longer.
- File delivery requirements affect timing. Breaking audio into smaller labelled files takes longer, which is common for IVR recording where clients may need dozens of individually labelled files.
Other variables, depending on the nature of the project, will also affect recording time.
Plan Your Voice Over Session
Plan your voice-over recording sessions effectively with GoLocalise's tools and expertise.
Voice-Over Words to Time Calculator
GoLocalise has extensive experience in the voice-over industry and in words to time calculations. That expertise led the team to create an easy-to-use, free words to time calculator. If you want to estimate the time you'll need to record your voice-over, it's an excellent place to start.
- Step 1 – Specify whether you want to record wild or match audio to video content.
- Step 2 – Provide an estimate of the run time for the finished materials.
- Step 3 – Select the complexity level for the project.
- Step 4 – Calculate.
In four easy steps you get an estimate of the recording time to account for. Since this is a rough estimate, it's best to reach out to the team at GoLocalise directly for a precise calculation.
Need help planning your next session? Get a quote and we'll help you scope the studio time you need.
