Can anyone attend a Ted conference?

Yes, anyone can apply to attend a main TED conference or TEDx event, but attendance isn't guaranteed, as it's selective, often requiring applications, fees (for main TED), or being part of a specific community. Main TED conferences are costly and application-based for diverse thinkers, while TEDx events are local, independent, and generally more accessible to community members and aspiring speakers.

Who can attend a TED conference?

We're joined by prominent academics, educators, researchers, philanthropists, environmentalists, scientists, technologists, artists, activists and more. If you'd like to come to a conference, you may need to apply to attend. We read every application, and actively seek out new members.

How much does it cost to attend TED Talks?

Attending a main TED conference costs thousands of dollars (e.g., $12,500 for TED2026 Standard), as it's an invitation-only event for members, but watching talks online at TED.com, on YouTube, or via TED Live (starting around $50-$500) is free or affordable, while local, independently organized TEDx events have much cheaper tickets, often under $150. 

How to attend TED Talks in person?

If you'd like to attend a TED conference, you'll need to apply first. We read every application, and actively seek out leading thinkers and doers across a wide range of fields. Visit this page to learn more about our upcoming events!

How do people get invited to do TED Talks?

​The best way to submit any speaker to TED is through our speaker nomination form. We accept nominations on a rolling basis. Once submitted, your nomination will stay in our speaker database so that we may consider your submission as we plan future programs for TED conferences.

How to Land a TED Talk

Are Ted Talks invite only?

The talks address a wide range of topics within the research and practice of science and culture, often through storytelling. TED conferences are invitation-only events with an admission of $6,000. Since June 2006, TED Talks had been offered for online streaming.

Do TED talkers get paid?

No, you do not get paid to give a TED talk or a TEDx talk (the independent, local versions); both TED and TEDx strictly prohibit paying speakers, who instead share their ideas for free, though some TEDx events cover travel or accommodation. Speakers receive exposure and branding, not money, while the platform itself is a non-profit. 

Why are TED Talks so expensive?

TED makes money through conference attendance fees, sponsorships, foundation support, licensing fees and book sales, and we spend it as soon as we get it — on video editing, web development and hosting for TED Talks and TED-Ed videos (ideas are free, but bandwidth is expensive…); support for community-driven ...

What does TED stand for?

TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design, reflecting the three fields that converged to inspire the original conference, though it has since expanded to cover ideas from nearly all disciplines. It's a media organization known for its short, powerful talks ("TED Talks") under the slogan "Ideas Worth Spreading," aiming to share knowledge and spark conversation globally. 

What's the difference between TED and TEDx?

TED is the main, global organization with high-profile, exclusive conferences featuring renowned speakers, while TEDx is a local, volunteer-run program that licenses TED's format for community-focused, independently organized events, making them smaller, more accessible, and featuring local voices, though both share the "ideas worth spreading" mission and follow TED's guidelines. The key distinction is who organizes and where it happens: TED is central and global; TEDx is local and independent.
 

How long does a Ted talk typically last?

While 18 minutes is the traditional limit for TED and TEDx Talks, many talks are even shorter — some of the most impactful TED Talks have been just 5 minutes long. That said, the ideal length can vary based on the format.

Is doing a Ted talk a big deal?

Being a TEDx speaker will also give you AMAZING credibility for potential future events, and depending on your experience, TEDx may even provide referrals and recommendations for future (paying) gigs. While TED Talks are much more exclusive and invite-only, TEDx Talks are more accessible.

Who are common TED speakers?

The most popular TED Talks of all time

• 19:11. Sir Ken Robinson. Do schools kill creativity? ...
• 13:54. Tim Urban. Inside the mind of a master procrastinator. ...
• 20:45. Amy Cuddy. Your body language may shape who you are. ...
• 20:02. Brené Brown. ...
• 17:47. Simon Sinek. ...
• 09:44. Julian Treasure. ...
• 09:38. James Veitch. ...
• 12:37. Robert Waldinger.

What to wear to a TED conference?

Do: Choose breathable fabrics and well-fitted clothes that allow you to move comfortably. Opt for shoes that offer both style and comfort, ensuring you can stand, walk, and move freely on stage. Don't: Wear anything too tight or restrictive that could cause discomfort or make you self-conscious during your talk.

What are common TEDx talk mistakes?

THE MISTAKE: DISTRACTING MOVEMENT

One of the biggest mistakes even the most experienced speakers make is using unfocused or wishy-washy movement on stage. Repetitive movement, especially hand gestures, distract your audience and undermine your powerful message.

How many words is a 3 minute TED talk?

How many words is a 3 minute speech? A speaker with an average speaking speed will need 420 words for a 3 minute speech. A fast speaker will need 510 words while a slow speaker will only need 330 words.

What are the top 3 TED Talks?

While "top" is subjective, consistently high-ranking and influential TED Talks include Simon Sinek's "How great leaders inspire action," Brené Brown's "The power of vulnerability," and Sir Ken Robinson's "Do schools kill creativity?", often cited for their profound impact on leadership, human connection, and education, respectively, alongside newer viral hits like Tim Urban's "Inside the mind of a master procrastinator".
 

How do you get invited to TED?

If you know someone who belongs on our roster, or if you belong there yourself, we want to hear from you! Please use our speaker nomination form, and tell us why this person would be well-matched to the TED stage. Multiple nominations for the same person won't influence the speaker selection team in any way.

What are some criticisms of TED?

Previous criticisms of TED have focused on their alleged elitism. The program is closely associated with mega-rich venture capitalists and Silicon Valley futurists.

What is the most successful Ted talk in history?

The most-watched TED Talk of all time is Sir Ken Robinson's "Do Schools Kill Creativity?", with millions of views, challenging education systems to foster creativity. Other top talks include Amy Cuddy's "Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are," focusing on power posing, and Simon Sinek's "How Great Leaders Inspire Action," about finding your 'why'. Brené Brown's "The Power of Vulnerability" and Jill Bolte Taylor's "My Stroke of Insight" also consistently rank among the most popular.
 

How much do people get paid to do a Ted talk?

Speakers give generously of their time, giving their ideas to the world for free. That is enough! TEDx also does not pay speakers; however, many events offer benefits like covering travel costs and hotel accommodations where necessary, and access to exclusive networking events.

How to get invited to conferences for free?

You can attend international conferences for free by applying for scholarships, travel grants, or volunteering. Submitting research papers, seeking sponsorships, or becoming a conference ambassador can help. Some events offer free online access or contests for free passes.

What is the number one most watched TED Talk?

The number one most-watched TED Talk is "Do Schools Kill Creativity?" by Sir Ken Robinson, which argues that traditional education stifles creativity and proposes redesigning systems to nurture it, having garnered tens of millions of views and remaining consistently at the top of most-watched lists. Other extremely popular talks include Amy Cuddy's "Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are," Brené Brown's "The Power of Vulnerability," and Simon Sinek's "How Great Leaders Inspire Action," though specific view counts fluctuate.
 

Who is the youngest person to do a TED Talk?

The youngest TED speaker is widely recognized as Molly Wright, who delivered her talk "How every child can thrive by five" at the age of seven, advocating for early childhood development and the power of play, a talk co-produced with the Minderoo Foundation and UNICEF. While there are other young speakers on the TEDx (local) circuit, Molly's talk is a prominent example for the main TED platform, emphasizing crucial "serve and return" interactions for kids' brain development, notes this TED article.
 

Can just anyone do a TED Talk?

Who is qualified to give a TED Talk? Anyone with a great idea. The reason so many people enjoy these talks is because of the ideas, not the celebrity of the speakers. Ideas are the stars.