Imagine sitting through a stressful presentation, where the speaker has a bunch of slides, tiny texts that strain your eyes, and the session ends up inconclusive. Instead of getting value for your time, you are confused. This is a common problem in PowerPoint presentations, especially in business and academic settings.
The 10 20 30 rule was created to solve exactly this problem. It offers a simple, practical structure that helps speakers stay focused, meet time limits, and communicate clearly.
Join us as we discuss everything you need to know about the rule, including when it works best and how to apply it in real presentations.
What is the 10 20 30 Rule in PowerPoint Presentation
The 10-20-30 rule in PowerPoint was created by Guy Kawasaki, a venture capitalist and former chief evangelist of Apple. He introduced it after seeing countless PowerPoint decks overloaded with slides, tiny text, and unnecessary information. The rule was designed to enforce discipline and clarity.
Here’s what the 10/20/30 rule for PowerPoint means in practice:
- 10 Slides: Reduce your presentation to ten core slides to focus only on the most important ideas.
- 20 Minutes: Plan to present within twenty minutes. This will let you have the audience’s full attention.
- 30-Point Font: Use large text (not less than 30-point) so your slides are readable and act as visual support.
When the 10-20-30 Rule in PowerPoint Works Best
The 10-20-30 rule in PowerPoint is not a general solution for all presentations. Some require longer slides or a more detailed way to introduce themselves in a presentation. Whereas this rule is best suited for straightforward cases where clarity, time management, and decision-making matter most.
Here are some common cases where the 10 20 30 rule is ideal:
| Common Use Cases | Why the Rule Works Best |
| 1. Pitch Decks | It saves investors the stress of listening to lengthy explanations. They have limited attention spans and often seek clear, actionable insights. |
| 2. Business Meetings | Say no more to elongated meetings. Concise content helps to keep discussions on track to fasten decision-making. |
| 3. Sales Presentations | By using a focused structure, the main benefits and value propositions of the presentation stand out easily. |
| 4. Conference Talks | Using larger text and a smaller number of slides helps maintain audience interest and improves overall engagement. |
How to Apply the 10/20/30 Rule in Real Presentations
Want to know how you can integrate this rule into real slides and make an impactful delivery? Explore this section to know how to apply each step of the rule in real presentations.
Step 1: Decide What Deserves One of the 10 Slides
Kawasaki believes that how to start a presentation is to first of all understand that an average person cannot comprehend more than ten concepts in a single presentation. Thus, the speaker should limit his/her slides to ten and focus on what’s most important. Fewer slides mean clearer information, not loss of value. Ask yourself: if the audience remembers only ten things, what should these things be? Each slide should convey one major idea.
For example, in a pitch deck, the ten slides may look like this:
| Slide 1 | Slide 2 | Slide 3 | Slide 4 | Slide 5 |
| Title | Problem | Solution | Value Proposition | Market Opportunity |
| Slide 6 | Slide 7 | Slide 8 | Slide 9 | Slide 10 |
| Product or Demo | Business Model | Evidence | Competition | Summary |
Step 2: Plan a 20-Minute Narrative
Once your slides are set, plan how you will talk through them within 20 minutes. Split the time according to the essentiality of the content. For instance, your first slide might take one minute to set the context, while a key slide, such as the “solution,” may take three minutes because it requires emphasis.
Also, try to make natural pauses during presentations. After explaining a key point, pause briefly to let it sink in. For example, in a team update presentation, you can ask a confirmation question, such as: “Can everyone see what I’m sharing on screen?”
Step 3: Design Slides Using the 30-Point Font Principle
This is the final Kawasaki’s rule, and it suggests that presenters use a font size of at least 30 points for all texts in their slides. A presentation with smaller fonts can be overwhelming, making it difficult for your audience to follow.
Also, if the slides make sense without your input, they probably contain too much. For example, instead of writing a long paragraph that explains results, replace it with something like, “Revenue grew 25% in Q2.” You can now explain the details verbally. And when a concept is visual (such as a process, comparison, or trend), use a simple chart or diagram instead of text.
How AiPPT Helps You Apply the 10/20/30 Rule Effortlessly
Applying the 10 20 30 rule for presentations can be challenging when you’re starting from a blank slide or working under pressure. AiPPT helps by giving your presentation a clear structure from the beginning.
Instead of long paragraphs, it offers short, clear points that work well with the 30-point font principle. This makes your slide easier to read and explain within 20 minutes. This presentation tool also comes with over 200,000 ready-made templates for several topics, guaranteeing that your slide design supports the message.
Overall, AiPPT speeds up the move from rough idea to presentation-ready slides, while keeping the 10 20 30 rule of PowerPoint practical.
Here are the steps involved:
Step 1: Log in to AiPPT
Go to the website and sign in/sign up. Click on Create from Topic.
Step 2: Generate an Outline for Your Presentation
Type in your topic to generate the outline. The details of each slide will be displayed. If you want to make changes, click Edit guidelines.
Step 3: Choose a Template
Explore the various options available to pick one that complements your presentation.
Step 4: Download
Your presentation is ready in accordance with the 10-20-30 rule. Click Edit to make changes or Download to save to your computer.
Conclusion
The 10 20 30 rule isn’t just a presentation trick; it’s a mindset that helps you focus on what really matters. It streamlines your deck to ten slides, allows you to plan for a twenty-minute delivery, and uses large text to simplify your message. When applied thoughtfully and supported by tools like AiPPT, your numerous ideas can be turned into structured presentations that leave a lasting impression.
FAQs on 10 20 30 Rule of PowerPoint Presentation
Would you like to know more about the 10 20 30 presentation rule? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions.
1. How many slides are in a 20-minute presentation?
Based on the 10/20/30 rule, a 20-minute presentation should have about 10 slides. This means you can allocate roughly two minutes to each slide. But exceptions can be made for slides that require emphasis.
2. How is the 10/20/30 rule effective?
The rule is effective because it enforces simplicity, builds engagement through short slides, and makes you a better communicator. It ensures that the audiences give their full attention and gains value for their time.
3. How many slides for a 30 min presentation?
For a 30-minute presentation, the number of slides depends on the purpose of the talk. A business pitch usually needs about 10–15 slides, while a conference talk or internal update works well with 15–20 slides. Training or instructional sessions may require 20–30 slides. In general, aim for fewer slides if you plan to explain ideas in more detail.
