The TED format is built on the power of a clear, concise idea delivered in a short window of time. We recommend talks be 18 minutes or less, because it works. It’s long enough to say something meaningful, but short enough to hold your audience’s full attention.
Shorter talks (3–9 minutes) can be just as, if not more, impactful. Some of the most memorable TED Talks have been just 5 minutes long. Certain non-traditional formats, like a dialogue between two speakers or a dynamic interview, may run longer (up to 30 minutes).
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