Playback Speed Calculator
:
:
x
For educational content, 1.5x speed is generally good for comprehension.
New Duration:
40:00
Time Saved:
20:00
Percentage Saved:
33.3%
x
:
:
Original Total:
0:30:00
New Total:
0:20:00
Time Saved:
0:10:00
:
:
:
:
Required Speed:
1.5x
Platform Availability
YouTube
Yes (0.25x – 2x)
Spotify
Yes (0.5x – 3x)
Audible
Yes (0.5x – 3.5x)
Netflix
No (0.5x – 1.5x)
Playback Speed Reference Guide
Playback Speed Settings by Platform
| Platform | Speed Range | How to Access |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube | 0.25x to 2x | Settings (gear icon) → Playback speed |
| Spotify (podcasts) | 0.5x to 3x | Now Playing view → Speed button |
| Audible | 0.5x to 3.5x | Playback controls → Speed button |
| Netflix | 0.5x to 1.5x | Playback settings → Speed |
| Apple Podcasts | 0.5x to 2x | Now Playing screen → 1x button |
| VLC Media Player | Custom (0.25x to 4x typical) | Playback menu → Speed |
Practical Speed Recommendations
Educational
- Review material: 1.5x to 2x
- New concepts: 1.25x to 1.5x
- Complex technical: 1x to 1.25x
Podcasts
- Interviews: 1.5x to 2x
- Discussion: 1.5x to 2.5x
- Dense information: 1.25x to 1.5x
Audiobooks
- Non-fiction: 1.4x to 2x
- Fiction: 1.2x to 1.5x
- Slower narrators: 1.5x to 2x
Videos & Movies
- Tutorials: 1.25x to 1.75x
- Slow-paced shows: 1.1x to 1.25x
- Action/fast-paced: 1x
Time Saved at Different Speeds
| Speed | Original: 30 min | Original: 1 hour | Original: 2 hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.25x | 6 min saved | 12 min saved | 24 min saved |
| 1.5x | 10 min saved | 20 min saved | 40 min saved |
| 1.75x | 13 min saved | 26 min saved | 51 min saved |
| 2x | 15 min saved | 30 min saved | 1 hour saved |
| 2.5x | 18 min saved | 36 min saved | 1 hr 12 min saved |
Keyboard Shortcuts
YouTube
- Faster: Shift + >
- Slower: Shift + <
- Normal (1x): Shift + 0
VLC Media Player
- Faster: ]
- Slower: [
- Normal: =
Browser Extensions
Video Speed Controller (Chrome/Firefox)
- Faster: D
- Slower: S
- Reset: R
How to Build Faster Listening Skills
- Start with 1.1x speed and increase by 0.1x each day
- Use subtitles/captions until you’re comfortable without them
- Practice with familiar content before trying new material
- If comprehension drops, decrease speed slightly then build back up
- Different platforms and content types may require different optimal speeds