Guides

Practical, in-depth guides on speech writing, word counts, reading time and character limits. Each one explains the topic in full and links to the free tools that put it into practice.

How to Write a Speech That Fits the Time

A practical guide to writing a speech that fits its time slot: how many words per minute, how to structure it, typical lengths by occasion, and how to rehearse.

Word Count Guide: How Many Words Should You Write?

How many words should you write? A reference for essays, cover letters, blog posts, reports, dissertations and books, why each convention exists, and how words map to pages.

How Long Does It Take to Read? Reading Time and Speed Explained

How reading time is calculated, the science behind reading speed, how long it takes to read 500 to 10,000 words, and why publishers show a reading-time estimate.

Social Media Character Limits: The Complete Guide

Up-to-date character limits for X, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube and more, where text gets cut off, why the limits exist, and how to write within them.