We Explain How Long Should a Podcast Be (+Pros, Cons & Tips)

Quick Summary

This article explains that the ideal podcast length typically falls between 20 to 40 minutes but varies by format and audience. It covers pros and cons of short vs. long episodes, practical tips for finding your perfect length, and how Cleanvoice helps create polished, engaging podcasts efficiently.

Curious About The Perfect Podcast Length?

If you’ve ever hit “publish” on a podcast episode only to wonder if it was too short to deliver value, or too long to keep listeners engaged, you’re not alone. Many podcasters wrestle with finding that sweet spot where content feels complete without overstaying its welcome. After all, your audience’s time is precious, and the wrong episode length can mean losing them mid-play or leaving them wanting more.

In this Cleanvoice article, we’re going to explain how long your podcast should be, the pros and cons of different lengths, and practical tips for finding the ideal duration for your audience and niche.

But first…

Why Listen to Us?

At Cleanvoice, we’ve worked with countless podcasters to refine their audio and craft episodes that keep listeners engaged from start to finish. We’ve seen firsthand how episode length can impact audience retention, whether it’s a quick, punchy show or an in-depth conversation. From editing out awkward silences to analyzing listener behavior, we understand what makes the perfect podcast length for different formats and audiences.

So, What’s the Average Podcast Length?

Studies and industry analyses have found that while podcasts can range anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, most episodes land somewhere in the middle. In fact, the average podcast episode is roughly 20 to 40 minutes long.

That said, “average” doesn’t mean a strict rule. Podcast lengths vary widely depending on the format and audience. For example:

Short Daily Updates (< 10 mins)

Many news or meditation podcasts keep episodes under 10 minutes.

The popular Radio Headspace offers calming 6-minute episodes for a quick mental reset.)

Long-form Deep Dives (1 hour +)

On the other end, some shows regularly run over two hours.

Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History famously releases epic multi-hour episodes that listeners devour because the storytelling is so compelling.

In Between (20–40 min)

Many podcasts naturally fall into the 20–40 minute range because it offers a balance between depth and listener attention. It is long enough to explore a topic in detail, but short enough to keep listeners engaged without fatigue. This range also conveniently matches common listening windows like commutes, workouts, or lunch breaks, making it easy for audiences to fit episodes into their daily routines.

Short vs. Long Episodes: Pros and Cons

Rather than chasing an arbitrary podcast length, consider what shorter vs. longer episodes might mean for your audience. Both approaches have their advantages. Let’s break it down:

Benefits of Shorter Episodes

Easier to Consume

Most people are really busy these days [we know this because we are too]. That’s why many listeners appreciate podcasts they can finish in one sitting.

A 15-20 minute episode is perfect for a coffee break or a commute, making it more likely someone will hear the whole thing rather than pausing for later (and possibly never returning). Shorter episodes lower the barrier to entry for new listeners, too.

More Frequent Releases

When each episode is short, you might be able to produce and publish episodes more often. This can keep your audience engaged with fresh content regularly.

Focused Content

Shorter run times force you to be concise, trimming fluff and sticking to the most important points. The result? A tight, engaging episode with no dull moments. And with tools like Cleanvoice automatically removing fillers and dead air, you can make every second of a short episode count.

Less Production Strain

A shorter episode means less audio to edit, less time spent recording, and potentially lower costs if you’re paying for studio time or hosting. This can be a big benefit for independent podcasters or those with limited free time.

Benefits of Longer Episodes

Deep Dives & Thorough Coverage

Longer episodes give you the space to explore topics in depth. If your podcast is educational or story-driven, sometimes you need 60 minutes or more to fully cover the material or to let a great conversation unfold naturally. Listeners who are truly interested in your subject will appreciate the thoroughness.

Authority and Expertise

Consistently offering thoughtful, long-form content can help position you as an authority in your niche. In-depth interviews, detailed analyses, or expansive storytelling signal expertise and effort.

Cleanvoice can make these long episodes smoother by automatically removing distractions like mouth sounds, reverb, or heavy breaths, so your audience stays focused on the content, not the imperfections.

Great For Certain Formats and Commutes

Some formats truly shine when given more time. Think roundtable discussions or narrative series.

Also, consider listeners who have long commutes or love multitasking with podcasts; a 90-minute episode can be the perfect companion for a long workout or a road trip.

You’re essentially providing them with a full audio “meal” rather than a snack.

Tips for Finding and Refining Your Ideal Episode Length

By now, you have a good sense that the “right” podcast length depends on various factors. To help translate these ideas into action, here are some practical tips for finding and refining the ideal length for your episodes:

Start on the Shorter Side (and Grow if Needed)

If you’re new to podcasting or launching a new show, it’s often wise to begin with slightly shorter episodes. Try aiming for 20-30 minutes to start.

This lets you focus on delivering really solid content without the pressure to fill a huge time block.

You can always expand later once you get comfortable and build an audience. It’s better to have listeners say, “I wish there was a bit more,” than “That dragged on too long.”

As you gain confidence, and if you find you consistently have more to say, you can experiment with longer episodes and see how your audience responds.

Edit Ruthlessly To Remove Fluff

No matter what length you aim for, every minute should feel intentional. Listeners can spot filler instantly, and once their attention slips, it’s hard to win them back.

That means trimming long-winded tangents, cutting repeated points, and smoothing out any awkward pauses.

Editing is where a good episode becomes a great one. A well-crafted 25-minute show will always outperform a rambling 60-minute one because the content feels tight and focused.

And you don’t have to spend hours scrubbing your audio manually. Cleanvoice uses AI to automatically remove filler words (“um,” “you know”), trim dead air, and clean up background noise without flattening your personality.

• With Cleanvoice, you can also:
  • Detect and reduce mouth sounds
  • Remove language-specific verbal tics
  • Keep pacing natural while tightening the flow
  • Automatically detect and edit multiple speakers’ tracks
  • Smooth out abrupt cuts for seamless transitions
  • Identify and remove repeated phrases
  • Remove echo and reverb to deliver studio-quality sound

…all within a few clicks.

The result is a natural-sounding episode that’s free from distractions, easy to follow, and perfectly tuned to the length you want.

Match Your Content to Its Purpose

Think about what your listeners are trying to get out of your podcast. Are you entertaining them, informing them, or teaching them something? The purpose should guide length.

For instance, a podcast teaching beginner guitar lessons might keep episodes around 15 minutes, just enough to demonstrate a couple of techniques for the student to practice without overwhelming them.

In contrast, a storytelling podcast aiming to immerse listeners in a fictional world might need a full hour to really develop the plot each episode.

Listen to Listener Feedback and Data

Your audience can be one of the best guides to optimal length. Pay attention to completion rates if your hosting platform provides them.

• Are people dropping off consistently at a certain point in longer episodes? That might be a sign to tighten up.
• Do your shorter episodes get more downloads or positive comments? Maybe your listeners lean toward brevity.

Keep in mind, feedback might vary. Some die-hards will always say, “Give us more!” while casual listeners might favor keeping it short. Weigh the feedback alongside what feels right to you, and consider striking a balance (perhaps offering occasional longer bonus episodes for those who want more).

Consider Your Own Schedule and Consistency

The best episode length is one you can produce consistently without sacrificing quality.

If you discover that producing a 60-minute episode every week is leading you to rush research or cut corners in editing, that’s a sign the length might be too ambitious for your current workflow.

It’s perfectly acceptable to scale back to 30-minute episodes that you can polish and release on time. Consistency builds an audience’s trust; they’d rather have a slightly shorter episode that comes out on schedule and is great, than a longer one that is frequently delayed or sloppy.

As you plan, be realistic about the time you have for scripting/outlining (if applicable), recording, editing, and promoting each episode. It might help to set a rough ratio for yourself –

Remember, you can always batch record or batch edit with tools like Cleanvoice to save time if you want to do more content.

Making Any Length Work for Your Podcast

There’s no magic number for the perfect podcast length. The best episodes are as long as they need to be and not a second more.

The sweet spot depends on your content, audience, and how consistently you can deliver quality. Whether you’re going for punchy 15-minute updates or in-depth hour-long conversations, the real key is keeping listeners engaged from start to finish.

That’s where smart editing makes a difference. By trimming the fluff and keeping your pacing sharp, you can make any length feel “just right.” With Cleanvoice, you can clean up your audio fast, remove distractions, and focus on what matters most – creating episodes people actually want to finish.

If you want your episodes to sound tight, professional, and free of filler without spending hours in post-production, try Cleanvoice for free today.