Only the narration counts
Headings such as HOOK or PAYOFF, [bracketed directions], bullet notes and ALL-CAPS labels are treated as production notes, not speech — the same parser Kineo Studio uses for scripts it narrates word for word.
Free length checker · runs in your browser
Is your script long enough for TikTok Creator Rewards?
Short answer: TikTok's Creator Rewards Program only rewards videos that are at least 1 minute long. As narration, that is about 138 words at a calm 2.3 words per second, or 186 words at a brisk 3.1 words per second.Source: TikTok Creator Rewards Program Terms (US), last updated July 20, 2026 · checked October 6, 2026. Length is one requirement among several; TikTok decides which videos earn.
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Try an example:
Runs in your browser. Your script is not sent anywhere while you check.
0:00
Paste a script to see how long it runs at a brisk and a calm narration pace — and how many words you still need for 1:00.
Estimate, not an audio measurement: voices, punctuation and pauses change the final length. Check the length TikTok shows when you upload.
How the estimate works
It times what will be spoken, at two real narration paces.
Two paces, not one guess
Kineo plans narration at 3.1 words per second (brisk) and 2.3 (calm, cinematic). The brisk pace is the stricter check: if your script reaches 1:00 there, it reaches 1:00 at any slower pace.
An estimate, with margin
Voices, punctuation and pauses change the final length, and TikTok's launch announcement spoke of videos "over a minute long". Aim a few seconds past 1:00 and check the length TikTok shows when you upload.
Official length rules · checked October 6, 2026
How long should the video be on each platform?
A vertical video between 1:00 and 3:00 meets TikTok's Creator Rewards minimum, still counts as a YouTube Short, and stays inside the 3 minutes Instagram uses as its cut-off for recommending reels to new audiences.
| Platform | What the official source says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| TikTok Creator Rewards Program | At least 1 minute. The US terms say eligible videos have "a duration of at least 1 minute"; the EEA terms say a video "must be one minute or longer". | TikTok Creator Rewards Program Terms (US)Last updated July 20, 2026 · checked October 6, 2026TikTok Creator Rewards Program Terms (EEA)Last updated April 2025 · checked October 6, 2026 |
| YouTube Shorts | Up to 3 minutes. Square or vertical videos "up to three minutes" uploaded on or after October 15, 2024 count as Shorts. Shorts over 1 minute with an active Content ID claim are blocked. | YouTube Help — Understand three-minute YouTube Shortschecked October 6, 2026 |
| Instagram Reels | Up to 20 minutes to record and edit, but "Reels over 3 minutes won't be recommended to new audiences." | About Instagram — Reelschecked October 6, 2026 |
Questions
TikTok video length, answered plainly
How long does a TikTok video need to be for the Creator Rewards Program?
At least 1 minute. TikTok's Creator Rewards Program Terms (US, last updated July 20, 2026) say eligible videos have "a duration of at least 1 minute", and the EEA terms say a video "must be one minute or longer". TikTok's March 18, 2024 launch announcement described it as content "over a minute long", so leave a few seconds of margin. Length is only one of the program's requirements, and TikTok decides which videos earn.
How many words is a 1-minute script?
About 138 words at a calm, cinematic pace of 2.3 words per second, and 186 words at a brisk 3.1 words per second — the two narration rates Kineo plans videos with. Most narration lands between the two. Headings, [bracketed directions] and production notes do not count, because they are not spoken.
Does a 1-minute video automatically earn money on TikTok?
No. Length is one requirement among several: TikTok also sets account requirements and content rules, such as originality, and it decides which videos earn rewards. This checker only answers the length question.
Can I post the same 1-minute video to YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels?
Length-wise, yes, as long as it stays at 3 minutes or less. YouTube counts square or vertical videos up to three minutes (uploaded on or after October 15, 2024) as Shorts, and Instagram says reels over 3 minutes will not be recommended to new audiences. One catch: YouTube blocks Shorts longer than 1 minute that have an active Content ID claim, so use music you have the rights to.
Is my script uploaded when I use this checker?
No. The word count and the timing run in your browser, and your script is not sent anywhere while you check. It leaves this page only if you choose to open it in Kineo Studio.
No script yet?
Type one sentence. Get a finished 60-second video — voice, captions and music included — in minutes.
Kineo Studio opens with the 60-second length selected. Nothing is generated until you press Generate, and you see the cost first.
Sources (checked October 6, 2026)
- TikTok Creator Rewards Program Terms (US) (July 20, 2026): eligible videos have "a duration of at least 1 minute".
- TikTok Creator Rewards Program Terms (EEA) (April 2025): a video "must be one minute or longer".
- TikTok Newsroom — Introducing the New Creator Rewards Program (March 18, 2024): the program rewards original content "over a minute long".
- YouTube Help — Understand three-minute YouTube Shorts: square or vertical videos "up to three minutes" uploaded on or after October 15, 2024 are Shorts.
- About Instagram — Reels: reels can be recorded and edited up to 20 minutes, but "Reels over 3 minutes won't be recommended to new audiences".
Kineo is an independent tool and is not affiliated with TikTok, YouTube or Instagram. Platform rules change; check the official pages before you rely on them.