An e-learning narration script is written one slide at a time, with one idea and one short spoken block per slide. Most slides need 30 to 100 words, which is about 12 to 40 seconds at 150 words per minute. Copy a template for each slide type below and check the timing.
Key Takeaways
- One idea per slide: if the script needs two ideas, make two slides.
- Budget words, not minutes: at 150 words per minute, every word is 0.4 seconds, so a 60-word slide takes about 24 seconds.
- Write for the ear: narration repeats the point, it does not read the slide text word for word.
- Plan for access: audio needs a transcript or text alternative (WCAG 1.2.1), captions for synchronised media (1.2.2) and a way to stop audio that plays automatically (1.4.2).
- Short modules win: a 4-minute module of 10 slides is easier to write, review and update than a 40-minute one.
Personalise the slide scripts
- Type your course details in the boxes below. Nothing is sent or saved.
- Open a slide type in "Slide scripts", or a whole course in "Full course scripts". Your details are already inside every template.
- Check the live timing next to each title, press Copy and paste it into the notes of your slide tool or into Kveeky.
Slide scripts
Choose a group of slides. Each label shows the live word count and the spoken length at 150 words per minute, and turns red if a script runs over its time slot.
Opening slide scripts
Open fast. Name the topic, say who it is for and promise one result. Every script here is a starting point: add your own content and watch the timing.
1. Title and welcome 24 words · ≈ 10 s of 15 s
2. Learning objectives 39 words · ≈ 16 s of 20 s
3. Why this matters 44 words · ≈ 18 s of 25 s
Teaching slide scripts
Teach one idea per slide. Say it, show it, then say what it means.
4. Explain a concept 50 words · ≈ 20 s of 40 s
5. Show an example 37 words · ≈ 15 s of 35 s
6. Walk through a process 40 words · ≈ 16 s of 45 s
7. Do and don't 45 words · ≈ 18 s of 30 s
Practice slide scripts
Practice slides read the question out and leave room to think. Do not read the answer options as a list unless learners cannot see the screen.
8. Scenario question 25 words · ≈ 10 s of 25 s
9. Correct answer feedback 22 words · ≈ 9 s of 15 s
10. Try-again feedback 25 words · ≈ 10 s of 20 s
Closing slide scripts
Close by repeating the one thing you want remembered, then point to what comes next.
11. Summary 30 words · ≈ 12 s of 25 s
12. Next steps 27 words · ≈ 11 s of 15 s
Full course scripts
Need a whole short course, not single slides? Each tab has a 6-slide plan with a time, a word budget and what goes on screen, then the narration to copy. Narration is one paragraph per slide, and each starter sits under its budget so you can add your own detail.
Compliance course (6 slides, 2 minutes)
Best for short mandatory courses where the learner needs the rule, one example and a clear next step.
| Slide | Time | Word budget | On screen | Narration job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Welcome | 15 s | 37 | Course title, your logo | Say what the course covers and how long it takes |
| 2. Why it matters | 20 s | 50 | One striking line, one icon | Give the reason, not the rulebook |
| 3. The rule | 25 s | 62 | The rule in 1 sentence | Explain it in plain words |
| 4. Example | 30 s | 75 | Scenario image | Walk through one realistic case |
| 5. What to do | 20 s | 50 | 3-step list | Say the steps in order |
| 6. Next | 10 s | 25 | Knowledge check button | Point to the quiz and the help contact |
Compliance course narration 152 words · ≈ 61 s of 120 s
Why does this matter? Because [key term] can reach any one of us, on any day. Getting it right protects you, your colleagues and the people we serve.
Here is the rule in plain words. [State the rule in one or two short sentences.] That’s the standard we all follow, and there are no exceptions for urgency or seniority.
Let’s look at an example. [Name], a [job title], is [short realistic situation]. They notice [the warning sign]. The right move is to [correct action], and to tell [who]. The wrong move is to [common mistake], because [one-line reason].
So what should you do? First, [step 1]. Second, [step 2]. Third, [step 3]. If you are ever unsure, stop and ask.
Next, a short knowledge check. If you have questions, contact [where to get help].
Software training (6 slides, 2 minutes 30 seconds)
Best for how-to lessons with screen recordings. The narration says what to do and why. The screen shows where to click.
| Slide | Time | Word budget | On screen | Narration job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Goal | 15 s | 37 | Finished result | Say what the learner will be able to do |
| 2. Before you start | 20 s | 50 | Checklist of what's needed | Name the access or files needed |
| 3. Step 1 | 30 s | 75 | Screen recording, click highlighted | Say the action, then the reason |
| 4. Step 2 | 30 s | 75 | Screen recording | Same pattern, one new idea |
| 5. Common mistake | 30 s | 75 | Wrong next to right | Name one error and the fix |
| 6. Recap | 25 s | 62 | 3-point summary | Repeat the steps, point to practice |
Software training narration 133 words · ≈ 53 s of 150 s
Before you start, make sure you have [access or permission] and [file or data you need]. If you’re missing either one, ask [where to get help] first.
Step 1: [action]. Open [where it lives] and choose [option]. We start here because [reason in one short sentence].
Step 2: [action]. Now enter [what to type or pick]. Check that [what should appear], and then select [button].
One common mistake is [mistake]. It causes [problem]. To avoid it, always [correct habit].
Let’s recap. One, [step 1]. Two, [step 2]. Three, check [result]. Try it now with the practice file, and come back if you get stuck.
Onboarding course (6 slides, 2 minutes 15 seconds)
Best for first-week courses where the tone matters as much as the facts. Keep the voice warm and the slides light.
| Slide | Time | Word budget | On screen | Narration job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Welcome | 20 s | 50 | Team photo or logo | Greet the learner and set expectations |
| 2. Who we are | 25 s | 62 | Mission in one line | Say what the organisation does and for whom |
| 3. Your first week | 30 s | 75 | Day-by-day timeline | Walk through what happens when |
| 4. Who to ask | 20 s | 50 | Names and roles | Tell learners who helps with what |
| 5. Tools you'll use | 25 s | 62 | Tool icons | Name the 3 most important tools |
| 6. Close | 15 s | 37 | Next-step button | Say the one next action |
Onboarding course narration 149 words · ≈ 60 s of 135 s
Here’s who we are. [One sentence on what the organisation does.] Our customers rely on us for [what they rely on], and everyone on the team plays a part in that.
Your first week looks like this. On day one, [what happens]. On day two, [what happens]. By Friday, you’ll have [what they will have done]. Nothing here is a test. It’s all about getting you comfortable.
You won’t have to work things out alone. For [topic], ask [name or role]. For [topic], ask [name or role]. For anything else, contact [where to get help].
You’ll mostly use [tool 1], [tool 2] and [tool 3]. We’ll show you each of them in the next lessons.
That’s it for now. Select Next when you’re ready to start.
Words in square brackets without a highlight are details only you know. Replace them before you generate the audio.
Slide scripts ready? Paste each one into Kveeky, choose a voice, set the speed, and download an MP3 per slide for your course tool.
Narrate your slides freeHow long should narration be per slide?
Most slides need 12 to 40 seconds of narration. Here is a sample 10-slide module, with the word budget and timing at 150 words per minute, the average rate for US English speakers according to the National Center for Voice and Speech. Sort or filter it, and change the numbers for your own course.
| Slide | Slide type | Part | Words | Seconds | What the narration does |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Title and welcome | Opening | 35 | 14 s | Names the module and the time it takes |
| 2 | Objectives | Opening | 45 | 18 s | States what learners will be able to do |
| 3 | Why it matters | Opening | 60 | 24 s | Links the topic to the learner's job |
| 4 | Concept | Teaching | 90 | 36 s | Explains one idea beside a diagram |
| 5 | Example | Teaching | 80 | 32 s | Points to the detail that matters |
| 6 | Process steps | Teaching | 100 | 40 s | Walks through three steps in order |
| 7 | Scenario question | Practice | 55 | 22 s | Sets the situation, then stops |
| 8 | Feedback | Practice | 40 | 16 s | Confirms or corrects, in one or two sentences |
| 9 | Summary | Closing | 55 | 22 s | Repeats the one thing to remember |
| 10 | Next steps | Closing | 30 | 12 s | Points to the next module |
| Total | 590 | 236 s (about 3 min 56 s) | Add 1 to 2 seconds of silence at each slide change | ||
These are suggested budgets, not rules. Interactive slides run longer because the learner also reads, clicks and thinks.
How many words fit in a slide of a given length?
Set the budget from the slide’s time, not its design. At 150 words per minute, one second holds 2.5 words. For dense or technical material, use the slower column.
| Slide length | Words at 130 wpm (slower) | Words at 150 wpm (average) |
|---|---|---|
| 15 seconds | 33 | 38 |
| 30 seconds | 65 | 75 |
| 45 seconds | 98 | 113 |
| 60 seconds | 130 | 150 |
| 90 seconds | 195 | 225 |
The 130 wpm column is our editorial suggestion for complex topics, not a published standard.
Does your module fit? Paste the script and check the length
Paste the narration for one slide or the whole module. The counter shows the words, the spoken length and, for a target in seconds, your word budget.
For longer scripts, use the full words to minutes calculator.
How do you write narration for a slide in four steps?
- Write the one idea. Finish this sentence: "After this slide, the learner knows…".
- Do not read the slide. Say what the screen cannot: why it matters and what to notice.
- Cue the screen. Write "look at the highlighted line" so audio and animation arrive together.
- Read it aloud and cut. Remove any sentence you stumble on. Our guide to pauses, emphasis and pacing helps a read sound natural.
Save one audio file per slide and name it after the slide, for example “03-the-rule.mp3”. A later fix then means replacing one file, not re-exporting the module.
Keep one narrator voice across the course unless there is a reason to change. Read when to use multiple narrators before you split roles. If you hire a human narrator instead, start with our voice casting brief template.
Accessibility: what narration needs around it
Narration does not replace text. These three W3C success criteria (all Level A) apply to most courses.
| Criterion | What it asks | What to do in your course |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2.1 Audio-only and video-only (prerecorded) | A text alternative for prerecorded audio-only content | Provide a transcript for audio-only lessons |
| 1.2.2 Captions (prerecorded) | Captions for prerecorded audio in synchronised media | Add captions to narrated video and animation |
| 1.4.2 Audio control | A way to pause, stop or control volume if audio plays automatically for more than 3 seconds | Add a pause button and a volume control, or do not autoplay |
Two habits help learners who watch without sound or cannot tell colours apart:
- Keep the key terms on screen as text, so the slide still teaches when the audio is off.
- Don’t rely on colour alone. Say “select Submit”, not just “click the green button”.
Your slide scripts double as the transcript, so keep the final text in step with the audio. This is general information, not legal advice; check the requirements that apply to your organisation. For a full course checklist, see our WCAG 2.2 guide for online courses.
Before you record: narration checklist
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| One idea per slide | Learners remember one point better than three |
| Under about 40 seconds on most slides | Long slides lose attention |
| Numbers, acronyms and names spelled for the ear | ”SaaS” may need “sass” in the script |
| Cues match the animation | Audio and screen arrive together |
| Script saved as the transcript | Covers the audio alternative |
| Finished audio level checked | See the loudness chart for platform targets |
| Date in script reviewed | Out-of-date narration is costly to redo by hand |
| Audio files named by slide number | Fixes stay one-file jobs |
| Paid plan for commercial or client courses | Paid Kveeky plans include commercial usage rights |
Why use an AI voice for course narration?
Courses change. A rule is updated, a button moves, a name changes. With a recorded voice, each change can mean a new session. With an AI voice, you edit the line, generate the audio again and swap one file.
| What changes | With a recorded voice | With an AI voice |
|---|---|---|
| One sentence on slide 4 | Book a re-record and match the tone | Edit the line and generate that slide again |
| A new language for the same course | Hire a new narrator | Paste the translated script and pick a voice |
| A new version next year | Repeat the full session | Update only the changed slides |
A human narrator can still be the better choice for long, story-led courses. Compare the costs with our voiceover cost calculator, and read how AI and human voices compare for e-learning.
How Kveeky helps with e-learning narration
Updating one slide should not mean booking a studio. With Kveeky you change the text and generate that slide again. See the e-learning voiceover page for course use.
Narrate your first module free
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Want the full process? Read the e-learning voiceover guide, or find out why students drop off and how narration helps. For tool choice, see the best AI voice generators for e-learning. Making video lessons too? See the training video voiceover page and the explainer video script template.
Frequently asked questions
How long should narration be per slide?
Most slides need 12 to 40 seconds of narration, which is about 30 to 100 words at 150 words per minute. Keep to one idea per slide and split anything longer.
Should narration match the on-screen text exactly?
No. Narration should add meaning, not read the slide aloud. Say why the point matters and what to notice, and keep the on-screen text short.
How many words is a 5-minute e-learning module?
About 750 words at 150 words per minute. Allow for pauses, quiz slides and slide changes, so plan for 600 to 700 words of narration.
How do I make narration accessible?
Provide a transcript for audio-only content, captions for synchronised media, and a way to pause or stop audio that plays automatically for more than 3 seconds. These are WCAG 2.2 Level A criteria 1.2.1, 1.2.2 and 1.4.2.
Can I use an AI voice for e-learning narration?
Yes. Write the slide scripts, choose a voice, set the speed and download an MP3 or WAV for each slide. Updating a slide later means editing the text and generating that slide again. Every paid Kveeky plan includes commercial usage rights.
Should I use one audio file per slide?
Yes. Name each file after its slide, for example “03-the-rule.mp3”. When a slide changes, you generate and replace one file instead of re-exporting the whole module.
Sources
- Average speaking rate of about 150 words per minute for US English: National Center for Voice and Speech, “Voice Qualities”, retrieved 16 October 2026.
- SC 1.2.1, text alternative for prerecorded audio-only content (Level A): W3C, “Understanding Success Criterion 1.2.1”, retrieved 16 October 2026.
- SC 1.2.2, captions for prerecorded synchronised media (Level A): W3C, “Understanding Success Criterion 1.2.2”, retrieved 16 October 2026.
- SC 1.4.2, pause, stop or volume control for audio over 3 seconds (Level A): W3C, “Understanding Success Criterion 1.4.2”, retrieved 16 October 2026.
- Kveeky free plan, credits, plans, formats and commercial rights: Kveeky pricing, retrieved 16 October 2026.