One of the more common questions I get from podcasters lately is: “How long should my podcast be?” It’s a good question without a simple answer. While the answer depends on long list of factors, there are best practices and key considerations that can help guide you in determining the optimal length for your podcast.

In this post, I’ll break down the factors that affect podcast length, the ideal duration by genre, and how to balance listener retention with your personal time limitations, backed by data from industry sources.

What Affects the Optimal Podcast Length?

There are several key factors that podcasters need to consider when deciding on episode length:

Audience Preferences

The most important factor in determining podcast length is understanding your audience. Do your listeners prefer bite-sized, digestible content they can listen to during a short commute? Or are they willing to invest in a longer, in-depth episode because of your compelling content or interviews?

For example:

• Busy professionals might prefer shorter episodes (15-30 minutes) that fit into their daily routine. According to Edison Research’s Podcast Consumer Report, podcasts under 30 minutes tend to have higher completion rates, often ranging from 80-90%.

• Dedicated fans of interview or storytelling podcasts may enjoy longer formats (45-60 minutes or more), especially if your episodes are engaging. However, as Buzzsprout’s 2023 Podcast Insights notes, episodes that exceed 60 minutes can see a drop in listener retention as audiences become less engaged over time.

Content and Format

Different types of content often require different lengths to be effective:

• Interviews: These tend to last longer, especially if you’re conducting in-depth conversations. Episodes can often range from 45 minutes to an hour. According to Buzzsprout, 26% of podcasts are between 40-60 minutes, reflecting the longer nature of interview-based shows. Check the source at Buzzsprout Podcast Stats.

• Solo podcasts: For hosts who create content alone, shorter episodes (10-30 minutes) tend to hold listeners’ attention better. Data from Buzzsprout indicates that 31% of podcasts fall in the 20-40 minute range, making this the most common podcast length across various formats.

• Storytelling podcasts: Narrative-driven podcasts, like true crime or fictional stories, often have episodes that are 30-60 minutes long, depending on the complexity of the narrative. While longer episodes can allow for in-depth engagement, Edison Research shows that episodes over an hour tend to see a decline in listener completion rates. For more details on listener behavior, check out Edison Research’s Podcast Consumer Behavior reports.

Your Time Limitations

Your own availability is just as important when considering podcast length:

• How much time do you have to record? If you’re limited on time, shorter episodes might be more practical.

• How much time do you have to edit? Longer episodes naturally take more time to edit. You don’t want to commit to creating hour-long episodes if you’re going to struggle with post-production. According to podcast editors, you can expect 2-4 hours of editing for every hour of recorded content.

• Guest availability: For interview-based podcasts, guest schedules are a factor. Some guests might be willing to commit to longer sessions, while others may prefer a shorter recording.

Consistency Is Key

Consistency is crucial. Once you settle on a podcast length, try to stick with it. If listeners expect a 30-minute episode and suddenly find episodes fluctuating between 10 minutes and 1 hour, it can create frustration and lead to a drop in engagement. Maintaining a consistent episode length builds trust and keeps your audience coming back.

Podcast Episode Length by Genre

While there’s no magic formula, certain podcast genres have ideal episode lengths that align with listener expectations and content needs:

Interview Podcasts

Recommended Length: 45-60 minutes

For interview podcasts, a longer format allows for more in-depth conversations. However, keeping it under an hour ensures you don’t lose your audience’s attention. As noted by Buzzsprout, 15% of podcast episodes exceed 60 minutes, and podcasts in this range tend to see a drop in listener engagement. Solo Podcasts

Recommended Length: 15-30 minutes

For podcasts with a single host, shorter episodes help maintain engagement. It’s harder to keep an audience interested when there’s no back-and-forth conversation. Many successful solo podcasters release episodes in the 10-20 minute range to match the fast pace of the content. Buzzsprout reports that episodes in the 20-40 minute range are the most common, which is consistent with solo podcast formats.

Storytelling Podcasts

Recommended Length: 30-60 minutes

Narrative-driven podcasts often allow for longer episodes, as listeners are more likely to stay engaged in order to follow the story. However, even for storytelling, it’s important to remember that audience engagement tends to wane after an hour, according to Edison Research. Longer episodes work for certain genres, but over an hour may lead to a noticeable drop in listener retention.

Educational/How-To Podcasts

Recommended Length: 10-20 minutes

Educational podcasts or how-to shows perform better when they get straight to the point. Offering clear, concise information in under 20 minutes keeps your audience from becoming overwhelmed and increases the chances they’ll listen to future episodes. For more on how podcast length influences engagement in specific genres, check out the Edison Research report

Short vs. Long Podcasts: Which Is Better for You?

There are pros and cons to both shorter and longer episodes. The best choice depends on your content, audience, and available time:

Benefits of Short Podcasts (Under 30 Minutes)

• Easier to produce and edit.

• Higher completion rates due to shorter time commitment.

• Fits better into the lives of busy listeners.

With 31% of podcasts falling in the 20-40 minute range, shorter episodes appeal to a large percentage of listeners, especially those with busy schedules. Additionally, you can maintain a higher listener retention rate by sticking to shorter formats. Data from Edison Research confirms that completion rates for episodes under 30 minutes can reach as high as 90%.

Benefits of Long Podcasts (60+ Minutes)

• Ideal for deeper conversations and storytelling.

• Allows for thorough exploration of topics.

• Appeals to dedicated fans or niche audiences.

Longer podcasts work well for in-depth interviews or storytelling, but keep in mind that Buzzsprout notes a sharp decline in retention for podcasts over an hour. If you’re going beyond 60 minutes, make sure your content is engaging enough to keep your listeners from tuning out. For more stats, check out Buzzsprout's Podcast Length Guide.

For most podcasters, the 30-45 minute range provides a great balance between offering in-depth content and maintaining listener retention.

Finding Your Podcast’s Sweet Spot

Ultimately, the best length for your podcast depends on several factors:

• Your content and format: Some topics require more time to fully explore, while others thrive on being quick and concise.

• Your audience: Understanding your listeners’ preferences is key to keeping them engaged. Use tools like Spotify for Podcasters or Apple Podcasts Analytics to track listener behavior and see where your audience is dropping off.

• Your schedule: Don’t overextend yourself. If you only have an hour to record and edit, shorter episodes will serve you better.

To find the sweet spot, experiment with different episode lengths and monitor your analytics to see what resonates best with your audience. Resources like Edison Research and Buzzsprout offer additional insights into listener behavior and podcast performance. Explore Buzzsprout Podcast Statistics for more data.

Conclusion: What’s the Right Length for Your Podcast?

There’s no definitive answer to how long a podcast should be. It all comes down to understanding your audience, content, and personal limitations. For most podcasters, a length between 20 and 45 minutes will provide the best balance between offering value and maintaining listener retention.

Need help determining the perfect length for your podcast or fine-tuning your episodes? Contact me for professional podcast editing and consulting services. Let’s create a show your audience will love—and listen to from start to finish.