One of the Most Common Questions I Hear…

When I’m helping clients launch a new podcast, one question comes up every single time: “How long should my episodes be?”

And I get it. When you’re planning a podcast, your episode length feels like a huge decision — like it’s going to determine whether your show works or flops.

But here’s the truth (and the advice I give every single client):

Don’t worry about the perfect episode length in the beginning. Focus on the content and your natural rhythm first.

Episode length is something you refine, not something you need perfectly dialed in before you even hit record.

Let’s talk about why.

Start With What’s Natural — Not What’s “Right”

If you’re new to podcasting — or even just new to your podcast — you don’t yet know your pacing, your flow, or the style that will feel best to you long term.

Some topics want 12 minutes.
Some conversations are 47 minutes.
A solo episode may feel crisp and punchy.
An interview may open up naturally and take its time.

Your job early on is to show up consistently and build the muscle of speaking to your listener — not to force yourself into an arbitrary timestamp.

My recommendation?

Record your first 5–10 episodes at whatever length feels natural. Don’t edit to hit a target. Don’t drag things out. Don’t cut things short.

Just record. Publish. Get your reps in. Then — and only then — do you look at your analytics.

Let Your Listener Data Do the Talking

Once you have a handful of episodes out in the world, it’s time to pull up your analytics inside: Spotify for Podcasters, Apple Podcasts Connect, and YouTube Analytics (especially if you publish video or repurpose clips)

Inside each platform, look for a stat called Consumption, sometimes listed as:

“Average consumption”
“Listeners consumed X% of the episode”
“Average time played”
“Audience retention”

Here’s what it looks in Apple Podcasts:

How To Read Consumption Data (With Examples)

Let’s say you publish a 28-minute episode. Your consumption graph might show:

People listened through 96% of the episode → Great pacing, strong hook, solid content.
People dropped off consistently around 17–19 minutes → That might be your ideal length.
A big dip happens at a certain timestamp → There's something about that section that lost people (maybe a tangent, maybe an ad, maybe a slow transition).

Now imagine you post a 42-minute episode next week.

If you see:

Most listeners still stay past the 30-minute mark → You have a strong, engaged audience who can support longer episodes.
Huge drop-off at 22 minutes → That’s your signal that shorter might work better for your show.

The point is: Your audience will literally show you their preferred episode length through their behavior.

No guessing. No comparing yourself to other shows. Just listening to the data.

Again, here’s what episode specific data looks like in Apple:

Solo vs. Guest Episodes: Should They Be the Same Length?

Absolutely not. Different formats have different natural rhythms.

Solo Episodes

Solo content tends to be:

More concise
More direct
Easier to record in shorter bursts

A 10–25 minute range often works beautifully for solo episodes — but again, your data will tell you.

Guest Interviews

Interviews often require:

Warm-up time
Background context
Space for unfolding stories

It’s common to see guest episodes land anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes depending on the topic and style. Trying to force both formats into one rigid length is usually a mistake.

So… What’s the “Ideal” Episode Length?

Here’s the simple, honest answer:

The ideal episode length is the length your audience actually listens to.

Not the length other podcasters post.
Not the length you think you “should” do.

Your perfect episode length is a balance of:

Your natural way of teaching, storytelling, or interviewing
Your capacity (longer episodes = more editing)
Your listeners’ retention and behavior
The type of content you’re creating

And that balance comes into focus over time — not in episode one.

A Practical 3-Step Framework to Find Your Ideal Length

If you want something you can follow today, here it is:

Step 1: Record naturally for your first 5–10 episodes.

Don’t edit around a target length. Let the content lead.

Step 2: Review your consumption data.

Look for drop-off points, retention patterns, and big outliers.

Step 3: Adjust in small increments.

If your 40-minute episodes lose listeners at the 22-minute mark, try a 25–30 minute format for the next few. If your 18-minute episodes have 95% retention, protect that magic.

Final Thoughts: Episode Length Should Support You, Too

Your episodes should be sustainable. They should fit your schedule, your energy, and your workflow. They should feel good to create.

If shorter episodes allow you to publish consistently, choose shorter. If longer conversations light you up, choose longer.

Consistency > Length.
Quality > Length.
Clarity > Length.

Let the data inform your decision — but let your capacity lead it.

How Long Should My Podcast Episodes Be? (A Data-Backed Guide for New Podcasters)