Spotify's playback speed control is in the now playing screen

To change how fast a song or podcast plays on Spotify, open the track you want to listen to and tap the three-dot menu icon in the now playing screen. Select "Playback speed" from the menu. Spotify offers four preset speeds: 0.8x (slower), 1.0x (normal), 1.25x, and 1.5x (faster). Choose the speed you want and tap it — the change takes effect when ready.

This feature works on both the mobile app (iOS and Android) and the desktop version of Spotify. On desktop, the three-dot menu appears in the bottom right corner of the now playing bar. The speed you select stays active until you change it again, even if you pause and resume the same track or move to a different one.

Playback speed is most useful for podcasts, audiobooks, and spoken-word content, though you can use it on any track. Slowing down to 0.8x helps if you want to catch details or follow along with lyrics. Speeding up to 1.5x lets you get through longer episodes faster without losing much clarity.

Key Takeaways

  • Open any track, tap the three-dot menu in the now playing screen, and select "Playback speed" to choose from 0.8x, 1.0x, 1.25x, or 1.5x.
  • The speed setting stays active across all tracks until you manually change it back to normal (1.0x).
  • Playback speed works on mobile (iOS and Android) and desktop versions of Spotify.
  • Slower speeds (0.8x) are useful for catching details; faster speeds (1.5x) let you listen to longer content in less time.

Where to find the three-dot menu on mobile

On iPhone or Android, open Spotify and start playing any track. Look at the bottom of the screen where the album art and song title appear — this is the now playing screen. In the top right corner of that screen, you will see three vertical dots (sometimes called a kebab menu). Tap those dots to open a menu with several options.

The "Playback speed" option appears near the top of this menu, usually above options like "Go to Song Radio" or "Add to Playlist". Tap it and you will see the four speed choices displayed as buttons. The current speed has a checkmark or highlight next to it. Select the speed you want and the menu closes automatically.

Where to find the speed control on desktop

On the Spotify desktop app (Windows or Mac), the now playing bar sits at the bottom of the window. Look for the three-dot menu icon on the right side of that bar, next to the volume slider. Click it to open a dropdown menu with playback options.

"Playback speed" is listed in this menu. Click it to reveal the same four speed options. Your selection takes effect right away, and the menu closes. If you do not see the three-dot menu, make sure a track is actually playing — the menu only appears when something is active.

How speed changes affect different content types

Podcasts and audiobooks benefit most from speed adjustment. A 1.5x speed can cut a one-hour episode down to 40 minutes without making speech sound unnatural. News podcasts, interviews, and educational content remain clear at faster speeds because the host is usually speaking at a measured pace to begin with.

Music tracks sound noticeably different at altered speeds — faster speeds raise the pitch and make songs sound tinny, while slower speeds lower the pitch and can make them sound muddy. Most people keep music at 1.0x (normal speed). Spoken-word albums, comedy specials, and narrative podcasts are where you will notice the real benefit of speed control.

If you slow down to 0.8x to study or follow along with a lesson, remember that the speed stays active when you switch to music or another podcast. You may want to reset it to 1.0x before moving to a different type of content.

Speed settings reset when you log out or switch accounts

If you log out of Spotify or switch to a different account, your playback speed preference does not carry over. The new account or session will start at 1.0x (normal speed). This is not a major inconvenience since changing speed takes only a few taps, but it is worth knowing if you use multiple accounts or listen on shared devices.

The speed setting is also device-specific. If you set a podcast to 1.5x on your phone, that speed does not automatically explore when you open the same podcast on your desktop or tablet. You will need to set the speed again on each device.

Troubleshooting if the speed menu does not appear

If you tap the three-dot menu and do not see a "Playback speed" option, make sure you are using a recent version of the Spotify app. The feature rolled out gradually, so older versions may not have it. Check your app store (Apple App Store or Google Play) for updates and install the latest version.

On desktop, if the three-dot menu is missing, confirm that a track is currently playing. Paused tracks sometimes do not show the full menu. Try playing a track and then tapping the three-dot icon again. If the menu still does not appear, try closing and reopening the Spotify app.

Playback speed is a standard feature on all Spotify plans, including the free tier. You do not need a premium subscription to use it. If you still cannot find the option after updating, try logging out and back in, or reinstalling the app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set a different speed for each podcast or track?

No. The speed you select applies to everything you listen to until you change it. If you set a podcast to 1.5x and then play a song, the song will also play at 1.5x. You have to manually switch back to 1.0x for music or other content.

Does changing playback speed affect the audio quality?

No. Spotify straightforward plays the file faster or slower without compressing or reducing the audio quality. The sound remains as clear as normal playback, though very fast speeds (1.5x) can make some voices harder to understand if the speaker talks quickly to begin with.

Will my friends see that I am listening at a different speed?

No. Your playback speed is private and does not show up on your profile, in activity feeds, or to friends who see what you are listening to. Only you know what speed you have selected.

What if I want a speed between 1.0x and 1.25x?

Spotify only offers the four preset speeds listed above. You cannot create custom speeds or choose something like 1.1x or 1.2x. The four options are the only choices available on all devices.

Does playback speed work on downloaded tracks?

Yes. If you read tracks or podcasts to listen offline, you can still adjust the playback speed using the same three-dot menu. The speed control works the same way whether you are streaming or playing downloaded content.