What Is the Average Attention Span?

For adults, the average attention span is about 20 minutes. However, an individual’s attention span can vary by age and a variety of other factors, especially within a learning-type environment.

As people age, they develop physically, mentally, socially and emotionally, and their attention span generally increases as well. Some factors that can affect a person’s attention span include the following:

  • Time of day
  • Temperature
  • Environment
  • Lighting
  • Noise level
  • A person’s special needs

A person’s learning style and the interest in a certain activity can also determine the length of his or her attention span.