How do I slow down a YouTube video?

By the RepeatWatch team · Updated

Quick answer

On YouTube, click or tap the gear icon, choose Playback speed and pick a rate below Normal, such as 0.75 or 0.5. On RepeatWatch, drag the speed slider anywhere from 0.25× to 2× in 0.05 steps, and turn on the speed trainer to raise the speed gradually as you practice.

How to slow down a YouTube video with RepeatWatch

  1. Open the video in RepeatWatch. Paste the YouTube link into the box on the home page.
  2. Open the Practice tab. Or click the speed button next to the play controls.
  3. Choose a speed. Drag the slider or tap a preset such as 0.75×. The minus and equals keys change the speed by 0.05×.
  4. Loop the hard part. Set A and B around the section you're learning so it repeats at the slower speed.
  5. Turn on the speed trainer. Choose a step, how many loops between steps and a goal speed. RepeatWatch speeds up for you.

Try it now: paste a YouTube link.

Does slowing down a YouTube video change the pitch?

No. YouTube keeps the original pitch when you change speed, so a song at 0.75× sounds slower but stays in the same key. That makes slowed playback useful for learning music by ear.

What is a speed trainer?

A speed trainer plays a loop slowly and raises the speed a little after a set number of repeats, for example by 0.05× every 3 loops, until you reach your goal. It's a common way to build up to full tempo without rushing.

How slow can a YouTube video go?

The YouTube player goes down to 0.25×, a quarter of normal speed, and up to 2×. Speeds between about 0.5× and 0.85× are the most useful for practice because the audio stays clear.

Frequently asked questions

Can I speed up a YouTube video beyond 2×?

Not in the embedded YouTube player that RepeatWatch uses, which tops out at 2×. Most practice and listening happens between 0.5× and 1.5×.

Does RepeatWatch remember my speed?

Yes. RepeatWatch saves the speed with each video on your device, and loop links include the speed, so the person you share a link with hears the same tempo.

What are the keyboard shortcuts for speed on YouTube?

On youtube.com, press Shift and the greater-than key to speed up, or Shift and the less-than key to slow down. On RepeatWatch, press minus to slow down and equals to speed up.

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