Podcast Script Template
Pick your show format and get a ready-made segment list, then write each part as a full script or a bullet outline. Every segment is timed from its word count at your speaking pace, and the total is checked against your target episode length. Load the interview example to see a finished podcast episode template.
What goes in a podcast script
Most episodes use the same building blocks in a different order. The presets give each format a starting order you can rearrange.
Cold open
A few seconds of the best line from the episode, before the theme music. It tells the listener why to stay.
Intro
Show name, who you are and what this episode is about, in under a minute. Write it out: it is the part people skip if it rambles.
Guest introduction
Who the guest is and why they are worth hearing on this topic. Check how to say their name before you record.
Segments or interview
The body of the show. Outline the points or questions and let the talk run; script only the hand-offs.
Sponsor read
Ad copy is usually read word for word, so it belongs in the script with its exact length.
Listener questions
Pick the questions before you record and note who answers which, so the segment does not drift.
Recap and outro
The two or three things to remember, then one clear call to action: subscribe, share, or visit a link.
Show notes
A short summary, timestamps, links and guest links. The run sheet gives you planned timestamps to correct after editing.
Script or outline: which to use
Write a full script for
the cold open, intro, guest introduction, sponsor reads, story narration and the outro. These parts need exact words and a known length.
Use a bullet outline for
conversation: interview questions, co-host discussion and listener questions. Reading a conversation word for word sounds stiff.
How the timing works
A script segment is timed from its words at your pace. An outline segment uses the target minutes you give it, because an outline is talked around and its word count says little.
How many words fit in an episode
Words of speech at 140 words a minute, a common rule-of-thumb pace (it is the default here; set your own above). Read a page of your script aloud against a timer to find your real pace.
| Episode length | Words at 140 a minute |
|---|---|
| 10 min | 1,400 |
| 20 min | 2,800 |
| 30 min | 4,200 |
| 45 min | 6,300 |
| 60 min | 8,400 |
Pauses, music and ad breaks take time too, so a fully scripted episode needs fewer words than the table shows.
Timing a single script or speech? The speech time calculator converts words to minutes and back.
Recording a guest? Get a signed media release form before the interview, so you can publish the episode and quote it.
Planning your questions: how to conduct an interview.
More for podcasters and interviewers: podcast transcription, best interview recording app, how to conduct an interview.
Record the episode. Get the transcript for the show notes.
Record the episode, or the prep call with your guest, in ParrotNotes and you get the transcript and a summary of what was said, a quick start for show notes, quotes and the next episode's script. Free for 100 minutes of recording a month.
Get ParrotNotes freeRelated tools
- Speech Time CalculatorPaste your script or enter a word count and see how long the speech, pitch or presentation runs at a slow, average or fast speaking pace.Open the tool
- Speech TimerA full-screen timer for speeches, presentations and meetings, with green, yellow and red signals at the times you set and an optional overtime count.Open the tool
- Media Release Form TemplateMake a media release form for photos, video, audio or an interview, with consent choices and signature lines, to print or copy.Open the tool
- Audio Waveform GeneratorTurn an audio file into a waveform image in your browser: pick the style and colours, then download it as PNG or SVG.Open the tool
- MP3 Tag EditorEdit an MP3's title, artist, album, year, track and cover art in your browser and save the tagged file, ready for your player or music library.Open the tool
- TXT to SRT ConverterTurn a plain text transcript or script into an SRT subtitle file with timings spread over your video's length, ready to upload or edit.Open the tool