What is the average length of a podcast?

According to two research studies, podcasts typically last from 30 to 42 minutes on average.

A study conducted by Dan Mineser from Pacific Content revealed that the typical length of a podcast is approximately 41 minutes and 31 seconds, which was published in 2018.

Recently, we released our own investigation which discovered that more than half of all podcasts, 55% to be precise, extend beyond a thirty minute time frame. In addition, we have a few other notable statistics to share.

  • Approximately 13.6% of podcasts have a duration of less than 15 minutes.
  • Approximately one-third or 31.3% of all podcasts have a duration between 15 and 30 minutes.
  • Approximately one-third of podcasts have a duration that falls within the range of 30 to 45 minutes.
  • About 18.4% of podcasts have a duration of 45-60 minutes.
  • 60 minutes or more is the length of only 4.6% of all podcasts.

When trying to find the average length of your podcast, it is not recommended to solely rely on statistics. Podcasts of varying lengths can achieve success. Sometimes shorter ones are more successful, while other times longer ones perform better.

In the future, we will talk about the aspects one should contemplate before selecting the perfect time duration for a podcast. However, prior to that, let’s explore the advantages of both shorter and longer podcasts.

Which type of podcast episode is preferable, shorter or longer?

It is unclear whether shorter or longer podcast episodes are superior.

Typically, audiences prefer podcasts that are shorter instead of longer. However, this does not necessarily imply that creating longer podcasts should be avoided. For example, The Daily, a news podcast with 5 million listeners, is only 20-25 minutes in length.

In contrast, the Joe Rogan Experience podcast typically lasts from one to three or more hours and attracts approximately 11 million listeners on average per episode.

In the end, the quality of a podcast is what decides its success rather than its duration. The length of your podcast can vary from 15 minutes to over an hour depending on the subject matter and the audience you are targeting.

Choosing either brief or lengthy podcast episodes comes with advantages. Let’s examine them.

Benefits of shorter podcasts 

  • Increased Productivity: If you create podcasts that are shorter in duration, you can increase the frequency of publication per week.
  • More subscribers Short podcasts tend to attract a greater audience due to people’s limited time. Typically, individuals are more inclined to listen to brief content instead of lengthy ones.
  • Creating podcasts with shorter duration saves time and provides extra time for attending to work or personal obligations.
  • Effective management of resources involves producing shorter podcasts if you are renting a studio space or equipment for recording. This will enable you to save both time and money.

Benefits of longer podcasts 

  • Become an authority in your nicheLooking to establish your expertise in a particular area or field? Producing longer podcast episodes tends to be effective in achieving this outcome.
  • If you are gifted with great storytelling abilities, longer podcast episodes will give you the chance to delve into a topic more comprehensively.
  • Having lengthier podcasts that follow a conversational interview or panel format can lead to an increase in your subscriber numbers. When multiple individuals are participating in the conversation, listeners tend to prefer podcasts that run for a longer duration.
  • Excellent for traveling to work or school: Daily commutes can be tedious and uneventful. However, extended podcast episodes can act as ideal accompaniments during such occasions, providing a much-needed source of entertainment while on the road.

If you want to capture people’s attention, your content needs to be interesting and applicable. If you’re able to sustain engagement for more than 20-30 minutes, then longer episodes are acceptable. However, avoiding dragging on a topic if you don’t have much to say is important.

It is essential to have content that is both interesting and concise.

When determining the length of your podcast, there are several factors to take into account.

If you are having difficulty deciding on the ideal length for your podcast, there are various aspects you can take into account.

Topic

The primary determinant of how long your podcast will be is the genre or topic it covers.

The most common podcast topics include:

  • Entertainment
  • Daily News
  • Motivational
  • Business
  • Talk Shows
  • True Crime 

Different topics require different durations, with entertainment-focused podcasts often featuring longer episodes that span anywhere from 30 to 50 minutes. One such example is Who? Weekly, a well-known podcast about celebrity news which typically lasts for around 45 minutes per episode.

Alternatively, in case you possess a talk show podcast, particularly one that includes interviews, having an episode length of 45 minutes to 60 minutes is perfect. A good example can be seen in Conan O’Brien’s show “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend” where most of the episodes exceed 60 minutes.

Selecting a suitable time frame is important to ensure comprehensive coverage of the topic.

Podcast format 

There are different types of podcast formats available, such as:

  • Interview
  • Conversational/co-hosted
  • Solo
  • Panel style of podcasts

Each topic may require a different length of episode to be beneficial.

A podcast in which two hosts or a panel is involved often lasts for 45 minutes to three hours as it involves a lot of discussions going back and forth.

Typically, a podcast that is done by one person tends to be relatively brief, with a duration of 15 to 40 minutes at the most. The reason for this is that hearing just one person talk for more than 45 minutes can become tedious, no matter how great they are at speaking. Additionally, it can be challenging to continue speaking for an extended period when there is no one else around to provide input or offer a break.

You can continue talking about the topic beyond the 15 minutes allotted, but make sure to avoid using unnecessary words and sidetracking from the main point.

Audience 

Understanding the characteristics of your intended listeners can be useful in deciding how long your podcast episodes should be.

especially their: 

  • Age 
  • Gender
  • Work schedule
  • Educational background

length. Different listeners have varying preferences for podcast duration. While commuters tend to enjoy 15-to-30-minute podcasts, those who spend more time at home may prefer longer content up to 50 minutes. Children, on the other hand, may only be able to focus on shorter podcasts that run for 10 to 15 minutes. Additionally, some niche audiences may appreciate podcasts that exceed an hour in length. I’m sorry, there is no paragraph provided to paraphrase. Please provide the necessary details.

In general, a podcast that lasts from 20 to 40 minutes is an ideal choice, particularly if you’re a beginner in the world of podcasts.

Competitor analysis

Instead of spending time and effort trying to determine the perfect length for your podcast, why not rely on the work already done by your competitors?

It is beneficial to examine your rivals, particularly those who work within the same field as you.

An additional advantage is that you have the opportunity to observe how your rivals organize their podcasts, assess what aspects contribute to their triumph, and enhance your own podcast accordingly.

Storytelling skill

Some individuals are exceptionally talented at telling stories and delivering speeches, while others lack this ability.

If you possess the skill of interlacing diverse subjects together to form a captivating story, then creating a podcast between 20 to 40 minutes in duration should come easily. However, if you encounter difficulty in narrating a story, there is no need to fret – stick with a simple 15 to 25-minute podcast that highlights the key ideas of your topic.

If you want to extend a subject matter, ensure that it captures the attention and interest of your audience. As you progress and improve your abilities in narrating stories, you can produce more extended podcasts.

99% InvisibleThe initial episodes of the narrative podcast were 10 minutes long, but in later seasons it switched to longer episodes that lasted for 60 minutes.

Publishing schedule

The frequency with which you publish podcasts is a determining factor in the appropriate duration of your podcast.

Be realistic about the amount of content you can produce on a daily basis. Keeping your podcast episodes at 15-20 minutes will ensure that you can consistently post high-quality content without overwhelming yourself. Don’t worry about making longer episodes, just focus on delivering valuable and engaging content in the time frame you can manage.

Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly podcasts can extend to 30-90 minutes in length, as there is ample time for planning and producing them.

How long are popular podcast shows?

The podcasts that are commonly listened to range from 20 to 40 minutes in duration, while some other preferred ones stretch out to about an hour or more per episode.

There is no set guideline concerning the ideal duration of a podcast. Both an hour-long episode and one lasting less than 20 minutes can be equally popular and effective.

You are not obligated to limit the length of your content to meet a certain time requirement. Conversely, it is important to avoid tediously dragging out your subject matter and losing the interest of your audience.

Here are some suggestions for selecting the perfect duration for your podcast.

Given the distinctiveness of each podcast, there are several pointers to help you determine the most suitable duration for your podcasts.

Start Small

As a new podcaster, it is common to feel pressured by popular podcasts that are of longer duration. However, it is important to understand that just because your preferred podcaster produces episodes that last 90 minutes, you should not necessarily follow suit.

If you are a novice podcaster, don’t stress yourself to create episodes that last for 40 minutes. It’s advisable to start with shorter episodes initially so as to attract more listeners. As your followers increase and experience grows, you can later create longer podcast episodes.

Understand the Purpose of Your Content

How long your podcast should be will depend on the subject matter you choose to cover.

As an example, a podcast aimed at educating history to children should be informative, engaging, and brief. Children have a tendency to become disinterested quickly, therefore a 15-20 minute podcast would be optimum.

To calculate the duration of your podcast, conduct research on podcasts similar to yours and take note of their average length.

It is important to take into consideration the opinions and comments of those who listen and receive your message. This can provide valuable insight into their understanding and reaction to what you are saying, as well as highlight areas where clarification or improvement may be necessary.

Being attentive to listeners’ feedback can help improve communication and ensure that the intended message is accurately received.

By taking into account the opinions of your audience, you can determine the appropriate duration of your podcast.

Determine whether your longer or shorter episodes have higher download rates. Alternatively, poll your audience via social media to discover their preference.

Craft a Concise Intro and Outro

To keep your audience engaged, it’s best to steer clear of excessive introductions and conclusions. Likewise, refrain from beginning your podcast with a sales spiel or an irrelevant anecdote that takes up too much time. It’s important to hold onto your listeners’ attention, so don’t risk losing them just 5 minutes into your show.

Consider What Works For You

Consider your way of life.

If you don’t have much time, you might only be able to record for 15-20 minutes. But if you have extra time, you can try to record longer episodes.

In the end, there is no fixed answer on what the ideal duration of a podcast should be. However, the previously mentioned advice can assist you in determining the most suitable length for your podcast.

FAQs on How Long Podcasts Should Be

Is 10 minutes too short for a podcast?

A podcast can be effective even if it lasts only 10 minutes, provided that the content is captivating and engaging throughout.

Here’s one possible paraphrased version: Morning Cup of Murder is a well-known true crime podcast that publishes brief episodes for listeners, and it has been downloaded more than 20 million times. Each episode usually lasts between three and 20 minutes. Another example of a short-form podcast is TEDx SHORTS, which also features episodes that are under 10 minutes long.

How long should a podcast be in 2023?

To achieve optimal outcomes, it is suggested that podcasts should have a duration of 20 to 40 minutes in the year 2023. However, if the content is engaging, there exists no constraint to exceed this time frame.

What is the ideal duration for a podcast that targets beginners?

If you are new to making podcasts, it is recommended that you keep your podcast length under 30 minutes. This is because shorter podcasts have a higher chance of keeping listeners engaged until the end.

As your confidence in interacting with the listeners increases, you can extend the duration of your podcast hosting.