How to use the script breath marker
- Paste your script. Separate paragraphs with a blank line or a line break.
- Set the reading speed, phrase length and pause times, and pause points are marked with / (short) and // (sentence end) along with the total estimated time.
- Press "Practice reading" to see each phrase highlighted in time. You can copy the marked script to use in notes or a teleprompter.
Why mark the breaths
A script that is read aloud needs shorter sentences and clearer breathing points than text read silently. Long sentences without commas make the reader run out of breath or cut meaning units wrongly, and the listener struggles to follow. Marking pauses in advance reduces slips and improves delivery in readings, presentations and video narration.
This tool splits the text at commas and periods, and phrases longer than your chosen breath length are split near conjunctions to suggest short pauses. The estimated time is the number of words divided by the reading speed, plus the pause times for commas, sentence ends and paragraphs.
How to use it
It suits presentation practice, YouTube and podcast narration, broadcast copy, reading assignments and lecture recording prep. The practice feature works like a simple teleprompter that highlights phrases on screen and helps you get a sense of pace. Read at the default speed first, then adjust if it feels too fast or slow.
The automatic suggestions follow rules and may differ from meaning units. A break in the middle of a name, number or idiom sounds awkward, so edit the marked script by hand. At the end, check the total time and adjust the amount of content to the target.
Tips for reading well
- Pause at meaning units and never in the middle of a word.
- A short pause before and after key words adds emphasis.
- Pause a little longer at the end of a sentence.
- Write each sentence so it ends within two breaths if possible.
- When recording, read once at real speed and time it.
FAQ
What is a typical reading speed?
Ordinary speech and presentations are often around 130 to 160 words per minute, and calm narration is a little slower. It varies with the person, content and mood, so use the default as a starting point and adjust after reading aloud.
How are suggested pauses decided?
Long phrases without commas or periods are split within one breath length. In English the tool prefers to break before conjunctions such as and, but and because. They are only suggestions, so adjust them yourself so the meaning is not cut.
How do I fit a talk to a time slot?
Check the total estimated time; if it is longer than your target, cut sentences, and if shorter, add examples or explanation. Forcing a faster speed hurts clarity, so adjust the amount of content instead. Do not cut pauses too much, because they give the audience time to understand.
Notes & limitations
The estimated time assumes an average speed and may differ from your actual reading time. Your script is processed only in the browser and never sent to a server.