How many slides are needed for a presentation?

Summary/Overview

Creating a good presentation isn’t just about great content. It’s also about getting the length right. To strike the balance between content and length, ask yourself: where will the presentation take place? Who are you delivering it to? And what is the overall purpose? You’ll need to factor in time constraints too.

Whether you’re pitching an idea, leading a workshop, or delivering a keynote speech, how many slides you use matters. Are you going to do a short 5-to-10 minute presentation or an in-depth 30-minute talk?

In this guide, we’ll run through some things to consider when planning how many slides you need to prepare for your next presentation. Let’s start.

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How long should a presentation be? General rules.

Timing is everything when delivering presentations. Pacing your talk at the right tempo can help keep an audience engaged and ensure you get your message across. For a rule of thumb – aim for one minute and one point per slide.

Where you deliver your presentation plays a part in its length too. Whether it’s a quick five-minute elevator pitch or a longer deep dive. Regardless of the length, there are some common things to keep in mind:

Keep to one idea per slide.

Keeping to one idea per slide means you can get your point across clearly and the audience can take it in. Information overload can overwhelm those listening, and your messaging could get lost.

The number of slides you choose should reflect how many points you want to make, so if you have five core things to cover – have five slides. You can always go into more detail when you’re talking about it.

Spend 30 seconds to two minutes per slide.

The amount of time spent on each slide depends on how complex the topic is. Simpler slides need less time – an image or a stat may require only 30 seconds or so. In-depth slides that have charts and data may need up to two minutes.

Change up the pace depending on the slide type. Take your time with important sections –don’t spend too long on simple points. Changing the tempo can help keep the audience engaged.

Be aware of how fast you’re talking.

How fast you talk can impact the audience’s ability to digest what you’re saying. Rushing through slides can confuse people, but going too slow may risk boring them. Keep it balanced and steady, with a conversational pace that’s easy to understand. This is especially important when delivering complex information.

Practice beforehand – think of it like a rehearsal before the big event. Watch keynote speakers online for inspiration, modelling their delivery style and adapting it to your own. Consider pausing after key points to help your ideas sink in, and allow the audience space to reflect.

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How many slides do I need for a presentation?

Sticking to your time schedule helps you to deliver a clear, focused presentation that gets across your key points and holds your audience’s attention. Having the right number of slides helps you to stay on track. Keep your presentation succinct and concise, and don’t cram in too much information.

How many slides for a 5-minute presentation?

Aim for five to seven slides, with roughly a minute per slide. Be concise, with one idea per slide. Visuals and quick bullet points are useful in short presentations as they allow you to communicate your points efficiently. Don’t waffle, get straight to the point.

How many slides for a 10-minute presentation?

Go for eight to 12 slides. There’s a bit of leeway to explore ideas in more depth, but it still has to be succinct. Images, infographics, and simple charts can help to convey more information in less time. The one point per slide rule still applies.

How many slides for a 15-minute presentation?

You’ve got more time, so you can look to have between 12 and 18 slides. There’s a bit more flexibility to add detailed data too – like case studies or further examples. But don’t spend too much time on one point, balance your time between each of them so you don’t end up rushing towards the end.

How many slides for a 20-minute presentation?

Aim for 15 to 22 slides for 20-minute presentations. Explanations can be given in more depth, and you can lean on additional supporting data. Make sure each slide has a purpose, and that you give each one the time it deserves.

How many slides for a 30-minute presentation?

As the rule of thumb is roughly one minute per slide, aim for no more than 30 slides – and no fewer than 20. If you have too few slides, you risk spending too long on each point. As there’s more time, you can invite your audience to ask questions along the way.

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Tips for timing your presentation.

Even if your content is strong, poor timing can impact your presentation. Running over risks losing your audience’s attention or cutting into valuable question time. But finishing the presentation too quickly could appear unprepared. Sticking to the timings helps you deliver a professional presentation.

Here are some practical tips to get the timing of your presentation right:

• Don’t forget to rehearse. Practice makes perfect, repetition creates the master. By rehearsing beforehand, you can identify where you might spend too much time, and where you can shorten.
• Use the content triangle method. Focus on the core message first, then build it out with supporting details. Prioritising information like this helps you to trim non-essential points if you’re running out of time.
• Set checkpoints. Allocate time to key sections in your presentation. This allows you to identify whether you’re on track. If you’re running behind, for example, having an idea of how long it should take can help you adjust your pace accordingly.
• Include buffer time. Add in a few minutes of ‘leeway’ flexibility to account for any technical issues, audience interaction or unexpected delays. You can then adapt your presentation in real-time accordingly.
• Use a timer or speaker notes. Watch the clock or use presenter notes with time markers to track how long you’re spending on each section. This helps you stay in control, while avoiding rushing or dragging on too much.

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Useful things to know.

What is the 10, 20, 30 rule for presentations?

The 10, 20, 30 rule for presentations is a guideline created by Guy Kawasaki for making concise and engaging presentations with 10 slides, in no more than 20 minutes, with a minimum 30-point font.

How long are presentations usually?

You presentation length will depend on what the topic is and how long you’re allocated to deliver it. Generally, aim for around 20 minutes while leaving some room for audience input.

How many images should I use for a 5-minute presentation?

Look to use one image per slide, with one point per slide. You don’t have long, so try not to overwhelm the audience with too much information. Pictures can paint a thousand words, so using visuals is especially key in shorter presentations.

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