The ideal TikTok video length depends on your goal—short, punchy clips drive engagement, while slightly longer videos often generate more total views. Here's a detailed breakdown:

---

## 🎯 1. What TikTok recommends (historically)

* TikTok has recommended videos between **21–34 seconds**, with wired reporting that **25% of top-liked TikToks fall in this range** ([sociality.io][1]).
* Shopify and similar sources confirm this 21–34s “sweet spot.” .

---

## 📈 2. Full-watch rate vs views

* Short videos (≤ 10 s) often get high completion rates, but generate fewer views overall ([buffer.com][2]).
* Medium videos (\~2–3 min) hit a **peak in full-video watch rate**, though views drop slightly beyond that ([buffer.com][2]).
* Longer videos (3–10 min) typically receive **the highest total views**, doubling views compared to ultra-short clips ([buffer.com][2]).

---

## ⚡ 3. Recent data and averages

* SocialInsider: **most views** now come from **90–120 s videos**, followed by 120–180 s, then 60–90 s ([socialinsider.io][3]).
* Average video lengths are increasing: \~35 s for under‑500k views, \~55 s for larger accounts .

---

## 🧭 Final takeaway: pick based on your objective

| Goal                                               | Ideal Length  |
| -------------------------------------------------- | ------------- |
| Maximize **completion rate**                       | ≤ 10 s–30 s   |
| Maximize **engagement/algo signal** ("sweet spot") | 21–34 s       |
| Maximize **total views and reach**                 | 60 s – 3 min+ |

---

## ✅ What you should do

* Start with **21–34 second videos**—they strike balance between watch rate and reach.
* Experiment with **short (<15 s)** for quick, viral content.
* Try **longer stories (\~1–3 min)** for deep dives—you might gain more views and retention.

TikTok’s algorithm favors watch time and completion. Adjust length based on content and what your audience wants—then measure, iterate, and optimize.

Want help with scripting or editing tips optimized for these lengths?

[1]: https://sociality.io/blog/tiktok-video-length/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "How long are TikTok videos? TikTok video length guide for 2024"
[2]: https://buffer.com/resources/best-tiktok-video-length/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Ask Buffer: What is the Best TikTok Length?"
[3]: https://www.socialinsider.io/blog/how-long-are-tiktok-videos/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "[What Data Says] How Long Are TikTok Videos?"