Do Girls Talk Faster? Surprising Truths Behind Speech Speed

The common belief: Girls talk a mile a minute... right?

We’ve all heard it: “Girls talk faster than boys.”
Maybe it’s your sister rattling off a story like there’s a timer ticking, or your friend who can recap an entire weekend in under two minutes flat. But is there actual science behind it? Or is it just one of those things we think is true?

Well… turns out, it’s a little more complicated than a simple yes or no.

What studies actually say about speech rate

Several linguistic studies have tried to settle the score, measuring average speech rate (that’s words per minute, basically) across genders. One large study from the University of Pennsylvania found no major difference in average speech speed between men and women — at least not consistently across languages and contexts.

Wait, really? Yep. Sometimes women were a bit faster, sometimes men were, but overall… the numbers were pretty close.

Okay, but in real life?

This is where it gets interesting. In casual settings — like chatting with friends — women do tend to speak more fluidly and faster than men. Especially when they're comfortable or excited. (And let's be honest, that’s when the real talk happens.)

Men, on the other hand, might pause more, choose words more slowly — not always, but often. It’s not that one gender is “better” or “smarter” (ugh, no). It's more about communication style.

Why does it feel like girls talk faster?

Simple answer? They often talk more. Or at least, they start younger.

Childhood differences

Studies on kids show that girls tend to develop language skills earlier than boys. They start talking sooner, use bigger vocab sooner, and often speak in full sentences before boys do. That early head start might lead to faster verbal habits down the road.

Plus, culturally, girls are often encouraged to express themselves more — emotionally, socially, verbally. So they practice more. Makes sense, right?

Other factors that impact speech speed

Let’s not forget — speech rate isn't just about gender. It depends on:

• Personality: Extroverts usually talk faster than introverts.

• Mood: Excited people talk faster. Nervous people too.

• Context: A heated debate? Fast. A job interview? Slower, more measured.

• Language: Some languages are naturally faster (looking at you, Spanish).

Personal example (a real one)

My cousin Maya? She could win gold in speed-talking. At family dinners, you almost need subtitles. Meanwhile, her twin brother Ben? Laid-back surfer vibes. Slow, deliberate talker. Same parents, same environment. Total opposites. So… go figure.

Does talking faster mean thinking faster?

Not necessarily. Talking speed and thinking speed don’t always go hand in hand. Some people process quickly but speak slowly (to be precise). Others talk fast, but it’s more of a stream of consciousness — not always organized.

But it’s true that women, on average, score higher in verbal fluency tests, especially during adolescence. That doesn’t mean they’re smarter. Just different brain wiring when it comes to language.

Final thoughts: Do girls talk faster?

So, do girls talk faster?
Sometimes. But not always.
It depends on age, personality, setting, and yeah — sometimes gender plays a role.

But here’s the twist: it's not really about speed. It’s about connection. Girls (and many women) use speech to build bonds, share feelings, and create closeness. That’s not just fast talk — that’s meaningful talk.

And honestly? We could all use a bit more of that.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.