How Long Should a Podcast Be? Guide by Format & Type (+ Examples)

So, how long should a podcast be?

It’s one of the first questions that comes up when you’re planning a show and it’s also one of the most misunderstood.

Some say 20 minutes is the sweet spot. Others swear by 60. But the truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to how long your podcast should be.

What matters most is finding the perfect length for you, your content, and your listeners. The kind of length that keeps people engaged, builds trust, and works with your schedule… not against it.

I’ve recorded hundreds of interviews and episodes across different formats. And I’ve worked with speakers, coaches, and course creators who are using podcasts to grow their audience and authority without burning out.

In this guide, I’ll break down what actually affects podcast length by type, by format, and by purpose. You’ll also get simple tips to figure out the best timing for your own show (plus a few tools inside Talks to help you plan your episodes faster).

Let’s make your podcast something people want to listen to right through to the end.

How Long Should a Podcast Be?

Looking at quality content that’s already working in the podcast world can help you decide where the ideal podcast episode length should land for your show. 

Here are a few podcast episode length examples across different formats like Spotify and Apple Podcast:

• The Tim Ferriss Show (interview): Episodes often run between 60-120 minutes. Ferriss fans are used to long-form, in-depth convos.
• Marketing School with Neil Patel and Eric Siu (daily tips): They have the shortest podcast episodes at 10 to 25 minutes each. These bite-sized episodes are built for quick, daily listens.
• On Purpose with Jay Shetty (interviews and solo): A new episode ranges from 30-minute to 90-minute episodes depending on the format.
• Online Marketing Made Easy with Amy Porterfield (educational solo + interviews): Around 10-90+ minutes. Enough time to teach, not overwhelm.
• The Mindset Mentor with Rob Dial (solo): The average duration of his episodes are around 20 minutes. Short, punchy, and to the point.
• How I Built This by Guy Raz (story-driven interviews): Often 40-60+ minutes. Just long enough to dig in, short enough that podcast listeners consume it in one sitting.

As you can see, the perfect podcast length varies depending on the type of podcast. What matters more as a podcaster launching a podcast is being consistent and delivering value in the time you take.

How podcast length affects engagement and retention

Most listeners decide whether to keep tuning in based on how your podcast feels, not just how long the podcast format is. But data does show a few patterns for length and content:

• Shorter episodes under 20 minutes in length tend to get completed more often, especially during an average commute or workout.
• 20-45 minute episodes are the most common and give room for substance without losing attention.
• Longer episodes (60+ minutes long) can work well if your audience expects them, like fans of in-depth interviews or storytelling.

Retention drops sharply if the intro drags, the pacing is slow, or the topic loses focus. Length matters but structure matters more. Keep it engaging, respect your listener’s time, and be consistent with pacing. That’s what makes a good podcast in the podcast industry.

How long should a podcast intro be?

The average length of a podcast intro should be three things: Short. Sharp. Clear.

Keep your intro simple and clear around 15 to 30 seconds. That’s enough time to:

• Say what your podcast is about.
• Share who it’s for.
• Give a quick reason to keep listening.

You don’t need to repeat the full intro every episode. If your listeners already know the show, a shorter welcome works just fine. Aim to get into the content quickly.

Not sure how to start a podcast script? Use any of these seven podcast introduction scripts and these podcast script templates to help you build your own.

How long should podcast intro music be?

Intro music works best when it sets the tone without slowing things down. 5 to 10 seconds is the ideal podcast intro range.

If you’re adding a voiceover on top, anything less than 15 seconds is a good stretch. But beyond that, it can start to feel long. The goal is to build familiarity and energy, not fill time.

Using the same track each episode is how you record a podcast and build consistency, so listeners know they’re in the right place the moment it starts.

How long should a podcast episode be?

Here’s the part most people get stuck on.

The right length comes down to your format, your style, and how much value you’re delivering.

Some average episode ranges:

• Solo episodes/quick tips: 5-20 minutes
• Guest interviews: 30-45 minutes
• Panel discussions or deep dives: 45-60+ minutes
• Narrative or story-driven shows: 30-60+ minutes depending on complexity

The key is to make every minute count. If the content is strong, people will stick around. If it’s clear and valuable, they’ll come back.

Start by thinking about your podcast listeners and their routine. Are they listening during their commute time, a morning walk, or in between client calls? That will help you determine the average length for your episode that fits naturally into their day.

How long should a video podcast be?

With video, the same principles apply to these types of podcasts, but you also want to think about how long someone is likely to stay engaged while watching.

Here’s a simple guide:

• Talking head/minimal edit video podcasts: 20 to 40 minutes
• Higher production with cuts or visuals: 45 to 60 minutes

If your video is mostly static (like a Zoom call), shorter usually works better. But if it’s engaging on screen with multiple camera angles, visuals, or storytelling elements, longer formats can work well.

Still, audio is usually where most of the engagement happens. Focus on making the quality of your content sound great, and let video be a strong extra, not the main focus.

Should All Episodes Be the Same Length?

Different types of content naturally run longer or shorter. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Solo episodes: Episodes within 10-20 minutes are often enough, unless you’re teaching something step-by-step.
• Guest interviews: 30-45 minutes or anything less than an hour long lets you build rapport and go deeper without exhausting the listener.
• Panel or roundtable shows: One episode of a host’s panel or roundtable tends to lend themselves to longer content, around 45-60+ minutes depending on a number of factors like voices and flow.
• Q&A episodes: 15-30 minutes works well, especially if you answer multiple listener questions about your show.
• Live coaching or consulting call replays: 30-60 minutes, but be ruthless with editing to keep the value high.
• Behind-the-scenes or update episodes: 5-15 minutes is great for bonus content or quick updates.

Let your content guide the time. If it feels stretched or short on time, your listeners will feel it too.

How long should a solo podcast be?

10 to 20 minutes is a great range for most solo episodes.

You’re carrying the conversation on your own, so the key is to stay focused. One clear idea, one solid takeaway, that’s usually enough to hold attention and deliver impact.

If a good podcast topic calls for more time, that’s fine too. Just keep it structured. Wandering thoughts are easy to spot and easy to skip.

Pro tip: Use the Talks podcast script generator to help outline solo episodes. It can help you plan tight, high-value content that fits your time frame.

How long should a podcast interview be?

30 to 45 minutes works well for interviews.

That gives you time to connect with the guest, explore the topic properly, and still keep the energy up. If the guest is really bringing strong insights, you can go closer to 60 minutes. Just make sure it earns the extra time.

Having a clear structure is how you do a podcast interview well. Start strong, ask the right questions, and close with purpose. That kind of flow keeps listeners engaged to the end.

You can also experiment with different lengths and see what your audience responds to. Sometimes a tighter format gets more shares and repeat listens.

How Long Should a Podcast Trailer Be?

Keep it short. 30 to 90 seconds is all you need.

Your trailer is like a movie preview. You’re giving people a quick hit of what your podcast is about, who it’s for, and what they can expect. Don’t try to squeeze in too much. One strong reason to listen is enough.

Here’s a simple structure:

• A quick intro (who you are and why this podcast exists).
• What kind of content you’ll cover.
• When episodes drop and where to subscribe.

Podcasting 101 Tip: Think of it as your audio handshake. Friendly, confident, and straight to the point.

How Long Can a Podcast Be?

There’s no official limit. Podcasts can be as short as two minutes or run well over two hours. It depends on your format, audience, and how well you can hold attention.

That said, longer doesn’t mean better. Only better means better.

How long does a podcast have to be?

Technically? No minimum. But if you’re publishing a main episode that’s under two to three minutes, it’ll feel more like a teaser than a full show.

As a rule of thumb, aim to give your audience at least five to ten minutes of solid content per episode. Enough to make it worth pressing play.

Some podcasters go well beyond the typical 60-minute range and still pull big audiences:

• Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History: Some episodes might go 3-4 hours. But his overly long episodes work because it’s storytelling at a high level with an infrequent release schedule (just a few times per year).
• Lex Fridman Podcast: Known for 2-3 hour interviews. Listeners come for depth, not brevity.
• JRE (The Joe Rogan Experience): Often 2+ hours. Built around raw, unscripted conversations and a cult following.

These podcast listening formats work because of strong audience loyalty and a clear promise: depth and authenticity. If you go for the longer end of the spectrum, make sure you’re giving people a reason to stay.

How long should a podcast last?

This one’s about lifespan, not episode length. And the answer is: as long as you’ve got something valuable to say and an audience who wants it.

Some shows run for years with hundreds of episodes. Others are limited series with six or ten solid episodes and that’s it. Both are valid.

If you’re just getting started, focus on showing up consistently. That builds momentum and trust. You can always adapt the length or format once your audience starts engaging.

What Is a Good Length for a Podcast?

A good length is the one your audience finishes and wants more of.

If they’re dropping off halfway through, it’s too long. If they’re listening start to finish and staying engaged, you’re on track even if it’s only 15 minutes.

Focus on creating episodes that feel complete – not rushed, not dragged out. Just tight, useful, and engaging.

Average vs ideal length of a podcast

Here’s a look at what most podcasters are doing and what might actually work better for you.

• Average podcast episode: Around 30 to 45 minutes.
• Ideal length: Depends on your format and listeners.

If you’re doing interviews, aim for 30 to 60 minutes. For solo shows, 10 to 20 minutes is often enough. Daily tips or mini episodes can be as short as 5 minutes.

The “ideal” length is what keeps people listening consistently and coming back next week.

Can a Podcast Be Too Short?

Yes, if it doesn’t give enough value.

A three-minute podcast can work if it’s focused, punchy, and part of a consistent format (like daily tips or quick answers to common questions). But if it feels like it ended before it started, it’s too short.

Short episodes still need structure: a clear point, takeaway, and something your audience can walk away with.

How Long Should a Podcast Season Be?

The ideal podcast length for podcast seasons runs between 6 and 12 episodes.

Some go longer (up to 20 episodes) but that’s not a must. The certain length depends on how much content you have planned and what works with your schedule.

Seasons are a great option if:

• You want breaks between production sprints.
• You’re creating a limited series or themed content.
• You want to test different formats or topics without committing long-term.

Just be clear with your audience when seasons start and end, so they know what to expect.

Podcast season length examples

Seasons can be a smart way to structure the length of your podcast episodes, especially if you’re running a show with themes, series, or breaks.

Here’s what other creators are doing:

• Serial (true crime): 8-12 episodes per season, each one focused on a single case.
• Slow Burn (history and politics): 4-9 episodes per season, depending on the depth and scope of the topic.

For business or coaching shows, 8-12 episodes is a solid starting point. It’s enough to build momentum but short enough to produce without burnout. You can always come back with a fresh theme or angle.

When It’s Just Right

So… how long should a podcast be?

As long as it takes to deliver real value and not a minute more. The best episodes feel like the right fit for your audience, not someone else’s rulebook.

Short or long, solo or guest… the format’s up to you. What matters is staying consistent, focused, and worth the play button.

But if you want to connect with guests from all types of niches, or get invited to speak on other people’s shows, Talks makes it fast, easy, and way less awkward than cold DMs or Facebook groups.

Create your free Talks Creator Profile and start getting noticed by podcast hosts who want your voice in front of their audience.

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