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Birthday Speech Generator

All eyes are on you and you need to say something that's funny but not embarrassing, heartfelt but not sappy, and short enough that people don't check their phones. This generator writes birthday speeches and toasts for any age, relationship, and vibe.

Written by Baljeet Aulakh | Last updated February 2026

Quick Answer

A great birthday speech has 3 parts: a warm opening that names the person and their age, a personal story or quality you admire, and a closing toast. Keep it 1-2 minutes (150-300 words) for most parties. Use the free generator below for your exact relationship and tone.

30 sec
short toast
1-2 min
standard speech
3-5 min
long tribute

Who is the speech for?

Select your relationship to get speech templates tailored to your connection.

What Should You Say in a Birthday Speech?

Quick reference for the best speech tone and approach based on your relationship. The generator above creates personalized speeches for each.

RelationshipBest ToneTip
Parent to ChildHeartfelt or FunnyShare a growth milestone — "From tiny toes to turning 10"
FriendFunny or CasualReference a shared memory — "Remember the road trip?"
Partner / SpouseHeartfelt or CasualFocus on your journey together — "From first date to forever"
SiblingFunny or HeartfeltLean into childhood stories — "We shared everything, even the blame"
CoworkerCasual or FormalKeep it light — "The person who makes Mondays bearable"
GeneralCasual or HeartfeltStart with a toast — "Raise a glass to someone special"

Make the Whole Party Speech-Worthy

A great toast deserves a great party. Create a free Party Genius plan that gives the birthday person a celebration worth giving speeches about — from the activities to the menu to the timeline.

Plan a Memorable Celebration

Pro Tip

Keep it under 3 minutes. Seriously. The formula: (1) one funny story about them — 30 seconds, (2) one genuine quality you admire — 30 seconds, (3) raise your glass with a wish for the year ahead — 15 seconds. Nobody ever complained a toast was too short. Plenty have complained they were too long.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I write a birthday speech for my daughter?

Start with a heartfelt opening that references your relationship, like "From the moment you came into this world, everything changed." Share a specific memory or milestone, mention how proud you are of who she has become, and close with your wishes for the year ahead. Keep it between 1-3 minutes for maximum impact. Our generator creates multiple speech options tailored to the parent-child relationship.

What should I say in a birthday speech?

A great birthday speech has three parts: an opening that grabs attention, a body that shares personal stories or qualities you admire, and a closing toast. Mention the person by name, reference their age as a milestone, and include at least one specific memory or inside reference. Choose a tone that matches the occasion — heartfelt for intimate dinners, funny for big parties, or casual for backyard gatherings.

How do I give a funny birthday toast?

The best funny birthday toasts balance humor with genuine affection. Start with a lighthearted observation about their age, share a mildly embarrassing but endearing story, and land on a sincere note. Avoid inside jokes that exclude most of the audience. Keep funny toasts short — 30 seconds to 1 minute is the sweet spot. End by raising your glass so the audience knows when to cheer.

How long should a birthday speech be?

A short birthday toast should be 30 seconds to 1 minute (60-100 words). A standard birthday speech runs 1-2 minutes (150-300 words). A longer tribute for milestone birthdays can go 3-5 minutes (400-700 words). For most parties, 1-2 minutes is ideal — long enough to be meaningful but short enough to keep everyone engaged. Our generator lets you choose your preferred length.

What is a good short birthday speech?

A good short birthday speech opens with a warm greeting, shares one quality you love about the person, and closes with a toast. For example: "I want to say a few words about [Name]. In the [X] years I have known them, they have never failed to make me laugh, to show up when it matters, and to make everyone around them feel special. Happy birthday — we love you." Short speeches work best when they are specific and sincere.

Do I need to memorize a birthday speech?

You do not need to memorize your birthday speech word for word. Most people speak more naturally with bullet points or a brief outline. Practice reading it aloud 2-3 times so you are familiar with the flow. Having a printed or phone copy as backup is perfectly fine — the audience cares about the sentiment, not whether you glance at notes. Our generator gives you the full text you can print or save to your phone.