Find your perfect listening pace
Jason Boog
What is an audiobook speed calculator?
The Everand audiobook reader (like many modern audiobook readers) has an audiobook speed calculator built into the player. It recalculates the book's runtime based on your chosen playback speed, then tells you exactly how long it will take to finish.It’s a pretty simple formula: Runtime ÷ Playback Speed = Time to Finish. It can make a big difference! For “The River Has Roots,” another recent audiobook I loved, 1x reading speed would take almost four hours. But reading at Everand’s max speed of 3.0x would finish the book in one hour and fifteen minutes flat! Why would somebody ever listen to a book that fast? Molly from the Fable community used her audiobook calculator for a reverse calculation: she only had a few hours left on a library loan, and time was of the essence.Mockingjay at 3x because my loan from the library ends tonight and I need to finish it.
— Fable reader MollyFable community data: What speeds do readers actually use?
Everybody has a reading speed that’s perfect for them, and it usually depends on what kind of book you are reading. That said, when I asked Fable readers what speeds they used, I gathered some original research that I can use the next time my family makes fun of me for listening to audiobooks too fast.- 1.0x — 189 listeners (34.4%)
- 2.0x — 92 listeners (16.8%)
- 1.5x — 71 listeners (12.9%)
- 1.25x — 36 listeners (6.6%)
- 1.75x — 27 listeners (4.9%)
Why do people choose their speed?
Through hundreds of responses, I found five main reasons people change audiobook playback speeds.1. The narrator
When readers are listening to a beloved narrator, they usually choose a slower speed to appreciate the dramatic reading. “1x. I’ve never attempted to read at any other speed,” said Fable reader Jennifer. “I worry that the narrator won’t sound the same at a faster speed?!"When they encounter a monotone narrator, some readers opt to read faster to get through the experience. “I almost never do faster speed,” said Fable reader Peter. “Unless there is an especially slow narrator or I need to finish quickly to return a Libby book.”2. Book density and complexity
There’s a big difference between a sci-fi adventure and a Shakespearean drama. Dense prose, multiple POVs, and unfamiliar vocabulary slow most readers down. At the same time, fast-paced thrillers and romance bump up the audiobook speed calculator.It's all dependent upon how dense the book is and how quickly or slowly the narrator is reading.
— Fable reader Renee3. Matching your internal read speed
One big factor is how quickly you read a print book. Many speed-listeners explained that they read faster than narrators speak — they're speeding up to match their natural reading pace, not to rush.I need the audiobook to be closer to the speed I read at or I get annoyed and lose focus. I range from 1.75–2.5x depending on the narrator.
— Fable reader Bookwyrm224. Focus and attention
Sometimes the elevated speeds can help different kinds of readers stay focused. Several listeners with ADHD noted that slightly faster speeds help them stay engaged.I need to listen as fast as I read; any pauses irk my ADHD mind.
— Fable reader Rosie5. Savoring vs. efficiency
Then there are readers like me. We speed up to get through a science fiction adventure more quickly and slow down to appreciate a great reader or stunning prose.I like to go slow so I can enjoy the books as long as possible, so I tend to hang out between 1.1x and 1.2x.
— Fable reader BumbleBreePopular audiobooks matched with Fable readers' speeds
My wife thinks it’s silly to read at higher speeds, but hundreds of Fable readers have told me about their audiobook reading habits, ranging from 1.0x to 2.0x. Here are some books to match those different speeds!A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
A number of readers reported listening to this book 1.75x speed. A fast-paced romantasy seems to lend itself to faster listening.James by Percival Everett
Readers were split on this award-winning novel. Half decided to stay at 1.0x to savor the prose, but the other half slightly accelerated to 1.45x.Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Readers agreed that this work of literary fiction deserved the 1.0x reading experience, enjoying both the story and the narration.Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Readers were mixed on the ideal speed for reading this book about dragon riders. Responses ranged from laid-back 1.2x to blazing fast 2.0x for the Romantasy trilogy.Katabasis by R.F. Kuang
Readers agreed that 1.25 was the ideal speed for this audiobook, a mix of excellent prose and page-turner.How to find your ideal speed
Using Everand’s audiobook speed calculator, you can easily see how long it takes you to read a book. Once you know the options, here are a few ways to find the speed that works best for your reading experience.- Start at 1.25x — the most common 'first upgrade' speed from normal.
- If you're losing focus, increase it by 0.1x at a time. If you're mishearing words, come down.
- Adjust per narrator: fast natural talkers may warrant 1.0x; slow narrators can handle 2.0x+.
- Adjust per genre: give classics and literary fiction more time. Romance and thrillers can often handle 1.75x–2.0x.
- Use an audiobook speed calculator to plan your listening session. This is especially useful when a library loan is about to expire!
FAQ
What is the average audiobook listening speed?
Based on data from 468 listeners in the Fable reading community, the median audiobook listening speed is 1.5x. The most commonly reported single speed is 1.0x (normal speed), followed by 2.0x, then 1.5x. Most listeners fall between 1.25x and 2.0x, with speeds above 3.0x remaining rare.How do I calculate how long an audiobook will take at a faster speed?
That’s easy! Just divide the audiobook's total runtime by your playback speed. For example, a 12-hour audiobook at 1.5x speed takes 12 ÷ 1.5 = 8 hours. An audiobook speed calculator on Everand and other platforms will automate this equation for any runtime and speed combination.What is a good audiobook speed for beginners?
If you feel like 1x is too slow, add speed bit by bit. Start at 1.25x. Like an airplane going down the runway, you need to let your brain adjust to the new speed. Keep increasing speed in .25x increments until you reach a cruising speed that feels right for you.Does audiobook speed vary by genre?
Yes. According to data collected in a post about audiobook reading speeds, romance readers are the fastest, averaging 2.16x as the preferred speed. Fantasy and sci-fi are next, clocking in around 1.7x. Classics and literary fiction are the slowest, as readers savor them with an average read speed of 1.25x.What is the fastest anyone listens to audiobooks?
One Fable reader reported reading at the brain-melting speed of 3.5x. They would multitask with puzzles and crafts as the story blazed in the background. A handful of users also reported speeds of 3.0x. One listener described the ability to comprehend at 3.5x as a 'superpower.'Can I use an audiobook speed calculator for Audible, Libby, or Spotify?
Yes. An audiobook speed calculator works with any platform's runtime — just enter the total duration shown in Audible, Libby, Spotify, or your app of choice, then enter your target speed. The calculator is platform-agnostic.
Jason Boog