How Long Should a Podcast Episode Be?

There is no single correct answer to how long a podcast episode should be. The right length depends on your format, your topic, and how your audience listens. But there are data-backed patterns that can guide your decision and help you keep listeners engaged from start to finish.

This guide breaks down ideal episode lengths by format and genre, explains the research behind listener attention, and gives you a framework for finding your own sweet spot.

What the data says about episode length

The average podcast episode runs about 38 minutes, but averages can be misleading. Top-performing shows vary widely in length, and the best predictor of listener retention is not duration but relevance. An episode that is too long for its content loses listeners. An episode that is too short for its depth feels unsatisfying.

Listening platform data consistently shows that completion rates drop when episodes exceed the expectations set by their format. A 90-minute solo episode loses more listeners than a 90-minute interview because the format sets different expectations.

Recommended lengths by format

Here are data-informed recommendations for each major podcast format:

Solo episodes: 10 to 25 minutes

Solo episodes work best when they are focused and concise. Without conversational variety, listener attention depends entirely on the host's delivery and the density of the content. Shorter episodes also make solo shows easier to produce on a consistent schedule.

If your topic needs more than 25 minutes, consider splitting it into a two-part series rather than stretching a single episode.

Interview episodes: 30 to 60 minutes

Interviews naturally fill more time because two voices create conversational momentum. The guest's expertise provides fresh material, and the back-and-forth keeps energy levels higher than a monologue.

Aim for 30 minutes as a floor to give the conversation room to develop. Go beyond 60 minutes only when the guest and topic genuinely warrant it.

Co-hosted episodes: 20 to 45 minutes

Co-hosted shows split the difference between solo and interview formats. The chemistry between hosts creates natural energy, but without a guest to introduce new perspectives, conversations can start to loop. Edit tightly and cut segments that repeat points already made.

Panel and roundtable episodes: 45 to 75 minutes

Multiple voices and viewpoints justify longer runtimes. Panel discussions generate natural conflict and agreement that keeps listeners engaged. A skilled moderator can sustain attention even past the 60-minute mark.

The risk with panels is crosstalk and tangents. Record longer than your target length, then edit down to the strongest moments.

Narrative episodes: 20 to 45 minutes

Narrative podcasts rely on pacing, and pacing suffers when episodes stretch too long. The best serialized shows keep individual episodes tight, ending each one with a hook that drives listeners to the next installment.

Shorter narrative episodes also make binge listening more approachable, which helps new listeners catch up on serialized content.

Daily news briefings: 5 to 15 minutes

Daily shows succeed by fitting into existing routines. Most listeners consume them during a commute, a morning coffee, or a workout. Keep them short, punchy, and consistent. If you regularly exceed 15 minutes, your listeners may start skipping days.

Three principles for finding your ideal length

1. Let the content decide

Do not pad a 15-minute topic to fill 45 minutes, and do not rush a 45-minute topic into 15. Outline your episode before recording, estimate how long each section needs, and let that estimate guide your target length.

2. Track completion rates

Your hosting platform's analytics tell you exactly where listeners drop off. If 40 percent of your audience leaves at the 20-minute mark of your 40-minute episodes, that is a signal to tighten your content or shorten your format.

3. Stay consistent within your show

Listeners form expectations. If your show typically runs 25 minutes, a random 90-minute episode will surprise and possibly frustrate your audience. Establish a range and stick to it. When you do publish a longer episode, let your audience know up front.

How format and genre interact

Genre influences length expectations independently of format:

• Business and marketing: Listeners want actionable takeaways. Keep episodes under 30 minutes unless an interview guest justifies more time.
• True crime and documentary: Audiences expect longer, immersive episodes. 30 to 50 minutes is standard.
• Comedy: Varies widely, but the best comedy podcasts edit ruthlessly. If a bit is not landing, cut it regardless of runtime.
• Education and tutorials: Match length to the complexity of the lesson. A five-minute explainer on a single concept works. A deep-dive tutorial might need 40 minutes.
• News and current events: Short and frequent beats long and occasional. Daily episodes of 5 to 15 minutes outperform weekly 60-minute roundups for listener retention.

Editing is your best tool

Regardless of your target length, editing separates good podcasts from great ones. Record more than you need, then cut aggressively. Remove filler words, tangents that do not serve the episode's core topic, and any segment where energy dips.

If editing is a bottleneck in your workflow, Jellypod's AI podcast generator produces tightly edited episodes from the start, removing the need for extensive post-production.

Start with a target, then adjust

Pick a target length based on your format and genre. Produce 10 episodes at that length. Review your analytics. Adjust. The right episode length is the one that keeps your specific audience listening to the end, and that number is something you discover through practice and data, not guesswork.