How Long is 2 Hours at 1.5x Speed? The Answer & Full Chart

If you want to know how long a 2-hour video or audiobook is when played at 1.5x speed, here's the direct answer:

It will take 80 minutes, which is 1 hour and 20 minutes.

The calculation is simple: you just divide the original duration by the playback speed. Below, we'll show you exactly how it's calculated, provide a quick lookup table for common durations, and introduce a powerful tool for any custom calculation you might need.

Quick Lookup: Time at 1.5x Speed

This table helps you quickly find the new duration for common video or audio lengths when played at 1.5x speed.

How The Calculation Works

The math behind this is straightforward. The formula is:

This means the new duration is calculated by dividing the original duration by the playback speed.

Let's apply this to our 2-hour example:

1. Convert Original Duration to Minutes: 2 hours = 120 minutes
2. Apply the Formula: 120 minutes / 1.5 = 80 minutes
3. Convert Back to Hours and Minutes: 80 minutes = 1 hour and 20 minutes

It's that simple! You can use this formula for any length and any speed. But if you don't want to do the math, we have an even better solution.

Need to Calculate a Custom Duration?

What if your audiobook is 7 hours and 45 minutes long, and you want to listen at 1.8x speed? Manually calculating that can be a hassle.

That's why we built a dedicated tool to do the work for you.

Audiobook Speed Calculator

An instant and accurate online tool to calculate the exact listening time of any audiobook at any playback speed.

How to Choose the Right Playback Speed?

While 1.5x is a popular choice, finding the perfect speed depends on you and the content.

• 1.25x Speed: A great starting point. The narration is slightly faster but still sounds very natural. Ideal for complex topics or dense fiction.
• 1.5x Speed: The sweet spot for many. It significantly cuts down listening time without sacrificing too much comprehension. Perfect for biographies, self-help, and most non-fiction.
• 1.75x - 2.0x Speed: For experienced listeners. This is highly efficient but can make some narrators sound rushed or robotic. Best for lighter content or re-listening to familiar material.
• Above 2.0x Speed: The domain of speed-listening pros. It requires intense focus, but the time savings are massive.

Detailed Time Conversion Chart (1.5x Speed)

For more granular calculations, use this detailed chart which breaks down time in 5-minute increments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does listening at 1.5x speed affect comprehension?

For most people, no. Studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that comprehension remains high up to 2x speed. Your brain can process information much faster than people typically speak. It might take a short while to adjust, but it quickly feels normal.

How much time do I save in a year by listening at 1.5x speed?

You save 1/3 of the time. For every 3 hours of standard audio, you only spend 2 hours listening. If you listen to just 5 hours of audiobooks a week, you'll save over 86 hours in a year—that's more than three full days!

Conclusion

So, a 2-hour piece of content at 1.5x speed is 1 hour and 20 minutes. Now you not only know the answer but also understand how to calculate it for any situation.

For the ultimate convenience, remember to bookmark our Audiobook Speed Calculator for all your future listening adventures!