How Long Should a Training Video Be for Maximum Learning Impact?

Ever sat through a 45-minute training video and realized you remembered… almost nothing? Yeah, we have been there too. It is not that the topic was boring. It is just that our brains tap out after a while.

When we plan training video production, one of the first questions we ask is simple… how long should this actually be? Because length is not just a timing issue. It directly affects how much people learn and remember.

Let us talk about what really works.

Attention Spans Are Shorter Than We Think

There is solid research behind this. A study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that shorter training sessions improve knowledge retention by up to 17 percent compared to longer formats. That is not a small difference.

Then there is research from the University of California, Irvine showing that the average person’s focus starts to drift after about 10 to 15 minutes of concentrated learning. And honestly… that feels about right.

So when someone says, “Let us just make one 40-minute training video and cover everything,” we gently push back.

Because cramming everything into one long video usually means people will only remember the first few minutes.

The Sweet Spot: 5 to 10 Minutes

If we had to give a general rule, we would say 5 to 10 minutes per video works best for most workplace training.

Why?

• It is short enough to hold attention
• It feels manageable
• It fits easily into a busy workday

Microlearning, which breaks content into short focused lessons, has been shown by the Association for Talent Development to improve engagement and completion rates. People are far more likely to finish a 7-minute video than a 37-minute one. Simple as that.

And when people finish videos, they actually learn something.

But Wait… It Depends on the Topic

Now here is where we keep it real. Not every topic can fit neatly into 5 minutes.

If you are teaching software navigation, safety compliance, or a detailed process, you might need 12 to 15 minutes. That is okay. The key is structure.

Break complex topics into chapters. Think of it like episodes in a series. Instead of:

• “Complete Safety Training… 52 Minutes”

Try:

• “Fire Safety Basics… 8 Minutes”
• “Emergency Exit Procedures… 6 Minutes”
• “Equipment Handling… 9 Minutes”

See the difference? It feels lighter already.

The Cost of Making Videos Too Long

Here is something people do not talk about enough. Long videos cost more… not just in production, but in lost productivity.

If 100 employees sit through a 40-minute training when they only needed 12 minutes of useful content, that is hours of wasted time. And time is money.

Research from IBM has shown that well-designed e-learning programs can reduce training time by 40 to 60 percent compared to traditional formats. Shorter, focused videos play a big role in that.

So keeping videos tight is not just about attention span. It is about business efficiency too.

Engagement Matters More Than Exact Minutes

Let us be honest… a boring 6-minute video can feel longer than an engaging 15-minute one.

Length is important. But engagement is everything.

We like to mix things up:

• Real workplace examples
• Short scenarios
• On-screen text for key points
• Clear visuals instead of endless talking heads

Good training video production is not about stretching time. It is about respecting it.

When content feels practical and real, people stay with it longer.

What We Recommend to Clients

When businesses ask us how long their training videos should be, we usually say this:

Start small.

Aim for 6 to 8 minutes per topic. If it goes longer than 12 minutes, ask yourself… can this be split into two?

Companies working with experts in video production Detroit have started shifting toward modular training libraries instead of single long-form videos. It makes updates easier too. You can replace one small section without redoing everything.

Smart. Efficient. Less headache later.

Final Thoughts… Keep It Human

At the end of the day, people are not robots. They have emails popping up. Phones buzzing. Deadlines waiting.

If we want real learning impact, we have to respect how humans actually absorb information.

Short. Focused. Clear.

That is usually the winning formula.

So next time someone suggests a 45-minute training video… maybe gently ask, “Could we make this a series instead?”

Your learners will thank you. And honestly… so will their attention spans.