Our speed control runs from 0.25x to 4x, in 0.25 steps. That is more range than most people ever use. Here is why we kept it wide anyway, and what the numbers actually mean.
What the multiplier means
Speed is defined in lines per minute, not in pixels, so it stays consistent when you change font size. At 1x the script advances at roughly 30 lines per minute — about one line every two seconds, close to a calm speaking pace. 0.25x is very slow, for careful reading of dense material. 4x is fast, for skimming through a section you know well.
Because speed is tied to lines rather than pixels, changing your font size does not change how fast the words go by. The same 1x feels the same whether the text is small or large — it just looks different on screen.
Why not just one speed
Speaking pace is not constant. Most people slow down for a name, a number, or a technical term, and speed up through familiar material. A single fixed speed forces you to either outrun the scroll or wait for it. Fine steps let you adjust in the moment without breaking your delivery.
How to find your pace
- •Start at 1x and read one paragraph aloud.
- •If you finish before the text moves on, nudge up one step.
- •If you are waiting for the next line, nudge down.
- •Adjust with the arrow keys while paused — no need to leave playback.
In practice, most people settle somewhere between 0.8x and 1.5x. The wider range exists so the edges are available when a specific script needs them, not because anyone should live there.
One honest caveat
Speed is about pacing, not about how fast you can read. If you set it too fast, you will read faster than you would naturally speak, and it will sound rushed even if every word is correct. The right speed is the one your mouth is comfortable with, not the one your eyes can keep up with.
Set the scroll to your speaking pace, not your reading speed. They are different, and the gap is where recordings start to sound tense.
If you have never used a teleprompter, start at 1x and adjust by feel. The range is there when you need it.
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