LengthLab

Guidance, not gospel — these ranges are editorial heuristics from watch-through patterns, not platform-published rules. Test against your own retention graphs.

Frequently asked

What is the ideal length for a TikTok or Reel?

It depends on your goal. For max reach, 7–21 seconds with a tight loop performs best; for watch-through, 20–35 seconds; for education, 45–60 seconds. Use the calculator above to get a target for your platform and goal.

What is cuts-per-minute and why does it matter?

Cuts-per-minute is how often the shot changes. Faster pacing holds attention on short-form feeds. Short-form viewers drop off fastest during slow, static stretches. The calculator suggests both a target cut count and an average seconds-per-cut for your chosen length.

Should every video follow hook → value → payoff?

It is the most reliable short-form structure: a hook in the first ~3 seconds, the value in the middle, and a payoff or CTA at the end. The timeline above scales those beats to your length and tells you what to do in each.

Does video length affect the algorithm?

Indirectly. Platforms optimize for watch time and completion rate, not length itself. A longer video that holds attention beats a short one people skip, and a short one finished and re-watched beats a long one abandoned. Pick the length you can keep compelling end to end.

Is shorter always better?

No. Shorter helps completion rate, but if your payoff needs room, cutting it too tight kills the value. Match length to the goal: trim for reach, give education and storytelling the seconds they need, and cut dead air either way.

How long should a YouTube Short be?

Shorts can run up to 3 minutes, but for most brand content 25–50 seconds is the sweet spot: long enough to deliver watch time YouTube rewards, short enough to keep momentum. Switch the platform selector to YouTube Shorts for a goal-specific target.