Motion2DHow long should an explainer video be?
An explainer video should usually be 60 to 90 seconds on a homepage, 15 to 45 seconds in social feeds, and several minutes for lessons or YouTube. Short enough to finish, long enough to make the point: the right length depends on where the video lives and how much the viewer already wants to know.
Lengths by use
These are common starting points, not rules. Test against your own retention graphs.
- Social feeds and ads: 15 to 45 seconds
- Homepage explainer: 60 to 90 seconds
- Product demo: 60 to 120 seconds
- Training module: 2 to 5 minutes
- YouTube explainer: 5 to 12 minutes
Words, not seconds
Plan in words: around 130 to 150 spoken words per minute. A 60-second video holds about 140 words; that's one idea, one example and one call to action.
In Motion2D, choose the length and the script is written to fit it. If it turns out too short, Add more scenes extends it.
When shorter works better
Go shorter when the viewer didn't choose to watch: ads, autoplaying social feeds and cold traffic. Fifteen to 30 seconds is enough to name a problem and promise an answer. Go shorter too when the idea is simple; padding a simple idea to two minutes loses people.
When longer works better
Go longer when the viewer is actively learning: a YouTube explainer they searched for, a training module, an onboarding video. People who chose to learn will watch 5 to 12 minutes if every minute delivers. On YouTube, videos of 8 minutes or more can also carry mid-roll ads; see long animated videos.
Example: one message, three lengths
A meal-kit company explains its service three ways. A 20-second Reel: Dinner decided, groceries delivered, 30 minutes to cook. A 75-second homepage explainer: problem, how it works in three steps, price, call to action. A 4-minute YouTube video: a full recipe cooked by a cartoon chef, with the service mentioned once. Each length suits its place. On Motion2D they use 1, 3 and 3 credits.
Questions and answers
What is the ideal explainer video length?
For most homepages, 60 to 90 seconds.
Are longer explainer videos bad?
Not if the viewer chose to learn. YouTube explainers and training run longer happily.
How many words is a 2-minute video?
About 260 to 300 words.
Is a 2-minute explainer video too long?
Not if every scene adds something. For a homepage, test a 60-to-90-second cut against it and keep the one with better completion.
How many words for a 60-second explainer?
About 130 to 150 spoken words at a natural pace.
Does a longer explainer cost more?
Yes with agencies, which usually price per minute. With AI tools the difference is smaller; on Motion2D, 60 seconds is 2 credits and 3 minutes is 3.
Keep exploring
How to make an explainer video
How to make an explainer video: define one viewer and one message, write problem-first, keep scenes short, add captions and test. A 6-step method.
How much does an explainer video cost?
How much does an explainer video cost? What drives the price of animated explainers, typical ranges from agencies, freelancers and DIY tools, and where AI fits.
How to write an animation script
How to write an animation script: a simple two-column format, hooks, pacing at 130 to 150 words a minute and writing for the ear.
Your next video starts with one sentence.
Type a topic. Motion2D researches it, writes it, draws it and voices it.
Get started