YouTube's playback speed controls let you slow down or speed up any video
YouTube has a built-in speed control that works on computers, phones, and tablets. You can play videos anywhere from 0.25x (one-quarter normal speed) to 2x (double speed). The control appears in the video player itself—you don't need an extension or app. The exact steps depend on what device you're using, but the feature is the same across all of them.
The speed you choose stays active for your next video unless you change it again. This means if you watch one video at 1.5x speed, the next video will also start at 1.5x. You can always switch back to normal (1x) with two clicks or taps.
Key Takeaways
- On a computer, click the settings gear icon in the bottom right of the video player, then select "Playback speed" and choose your speed.
- On a phone or tablet, tap the three vertical dots in the top right of the video player, then tap "Playback speed" and select your choice.
- YouTube remembers your last speed choice and will use it for the next video you watch, unless you change it again.
- Slowing video down to 0.75x or 0.5x helps when learning something new or watching in a language you're still learning.
- Speeding up to 1.25x or 1.5x saves time on videos with long pauses or slow pacing.
How to change speed on a computer or laptop
Open any YouTube video in your browser. Look at the bottom right corner of the video player—you'll see several icons. Click the settings gear icon (it looks like a cog). A menu will pop up with several options.
Click "Playback speed" from that menu. A submenu appears showing speed options: 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, Normal (1x), 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, and 2. Click whichever speed you want. The video will restart at that speed from where you clicked.
YouTube saves your choice. The next video you watch will play at the same speed unless you change it. This is helpful if you always watch at 1.25x—you won't have to reset it each time.
How to change speed on a phone or tablet
Open a YouTube video in the YouTube app or in your mobile browser. Tap the three vertical dots (called the menu icon) in the top right corner of the video player. A menu slides up from the bottom of your screen.
Tap "Playback speed" from that menu. You'll see the same speed options: 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, Normal, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, and 2. Tap the speed you want. The video will continue playing at your new speed.
On some older phones, the menu icon might be in a different spot, but it's always three dots arranged vertically. If you don't see it, make sure the video player is in full-screen or expanded mode.
When slowing down helps you learn better
Slowing a video to 0.75x or 0.5x is useful when you're trying to follow along with something—a tutorial, a language lesson, or a complex explanation. At half speed, you have time to pause and try the steps yourself without rewinding.
Many people learning a new language use 0.75x speed to hear pronunciation more clearly and give themselves time to read captions. Teachers sometimes recommend this for students watching instructional videos at home. The trade-off is that slow playback takes longer. A 10-minute video at 0.5x speed takes 20 minutes to watch. Use slow speed only for content where you need to absorb detail, not for casual watching.
When speeding up saves time
Speeding up to 1.25x or 1.5x is common for podcasts, lectures, and videos with long pauses or slow pacing. Many people find 1.25x feels natural—slightly faster but not jarring. At 1.5x, you save 10 minutes on every hour of video.
Some creators deliberately make videos slower than necessary, so viewers who speed them up end up at a normal pace. If a video feels sluggish at 1x, try 1.25x before jumping to 1.5x. Speeds above 1.5x can make speech hard to follow, especially if the creator has an accent or speaks quickly already. Test different speeds to find what works for you.
Your speed choice carries over to new videos
YouTube remembers the last speed you set. If you watch a video at 1.5x, the next video you click on will also play at 1.5x. This is convenient if you always prefer one speed, but it means you might forget you've changed it.
If a video suddenly sounds wrong—too fast or too slow—check the playback speed menu. You've probably left it set to something other than Normal. Changing it back takes two clicks on a computer or two taps on a phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing the speed work on all YouTube videos?
Yes. The playback speed control is built into YouTube's player and works on every video. Some videos may have audio that sounds strange at extreme speeds (0.25x or 2x), but the control itself is always there.
Will the creator know if I watch their video at a different speed?
No. YouTube doesn't tell creators what speed viewers use. Your playback speed is private and only affects what you see on your device.
Can I set a custom speed, like 1.1x or 1.3x?
Not through YouTube's built-in controls. You're limited to the eight preset speeds. Some browser extensions let you set custom speeds, but they're third-party tools not made by YouTube.
What if the speed menu doesn't appear?
Make sure you're using a recent version of the YouTube app or an updated browser. On mobile, the three-dot menu should appear when you tap the video player. On a computer, the settings gear is always in the bottom right corner of the player.
Does changing speed affect the audio quality?
No. The audio quality stays the same—only the pitch and speed change. At very slow speeds (0.25x), audio may sound slightly distorted, but that's normal.