Your video hook should land in 3–5 seconds — approximately 7–12 words at normal speaking pace. The first 5 seconds determine whether viewers keep watching or click away. Paste your hook above to check if it hits the target window for your platform.
Hook Length by Platform
| Platform | Ideal Hook Length | Words | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🎵 TikTok | 1–2 seconds | 3–5 words | Fastest scroll rate — must hook instantly |
| 📸 Instagram Reels | 1–3 seconds | 3–7 words | Visual-first — hook complements the image |
| 📱 YouTube Shorts | 2–3 seconds | 5–8 words | 60-second limit — hook must be ultra-tight |
| 📺 YouTube | 3–5 seconds | 7–12 words | Sweet spot — make a complete statement |
| 🎙️ Podcast | 5–10 seconds | 12–25 words | Audio-only — hook needs more context |
| 💼 LinkedIn Video | 3–5 seconds | 7–12 words | Professional audience — bold claim works best |
7 Hook Formulas That Actually Work
🚨
The Bold Claim
"Most creators waste 3 hours every recording day."
Creates immediate curiosity and a problem to solve
❓
The Surprising Question
"Why do 90% of YouTube videos fail in the first 30 seconds?"
Forces viewers to wonder if they're making the same mistake
🎯
The Specific Promise
"In 60 seconds I'll show you exactly how to fix this."
Tells viewers the payoff is coming fast
📖
The Mid-Story Open
"I just re-recorded the same video four times in one day."
Drops viewers into a story already in progress
🔄
The Counterintuitive
"Stop trying to make longer YouTube videos."
Contradicts common advice — instantly interesting
🔢
The Specific Number
"This one change added 847 subscribers in 3 days."
Specific numbers signal real results, not vague promises
Hook Word Count by Duration
| Duration | Slow (130 WPM) | Normal (150 WPM) | Fast (180 WPM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 second | ~2 words | ~2-3 words | ~3 words |
| 2 seconds | ~4 words | ~5 words | ~6 words |
| 3 seconds ⭐ | ~6-7 words | ~7-8 words | ~9 words |
| 5 seconds ⭐ | ~10-11 words | ~12-13 words | ~15 words |
| 7 seconds | ~15 words | ~17-18 words | ~21 words |
| 10 seconds | ~21-22 words | ~25 words | ~30 words |
💡 The hook percentage rule: Your hook should be 5–10% of your total video length. A 5-minute video (300 seconds) → hook should be 15–30 seconds. A 60-second Short → hook should be 3–6 seconds. If your hook is longer than 10% of your video — tighten it.
What NOT to say in your hook
❌ Hook killers — never open with these:
- "Hey guys, welcome back to my channel!"
- "Before we get started, don't forget to subscribe..."
- "So today I'm going to be talking about..."
- "Hi, my name is [name] and I'm a [job title]..."
- "In this video we're going to cover a lot of things..."
These phrases signal to viewers that nothing important is happening yet. They leave immediately.
Time Your Full Video Script
Once your hook is perfected — check your full video length with ScriptTimer's main calculator. Free, no signup.
Open Script Timer →Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a YouTube hook be?
A YouTube hook should be 3–5 seconds long — approximately 7–12 words at normal speaking pace (150 WPM). The first 5 seconds determine whether viewers keep watching or click away. Your hook must immediately tell viewers what they'll get from the video.
How many words is a 3 second hook?
A 3-second video hook is approximately 7–8 words at normal speaking pace (150 WPM). At faster delivery (180 WPM) you can fit 9 words in 3 seconds. Keep it under 10 words for maximum impact.
How many words is a 5 second hook?
A 5-second video hook is approximately 12–13 words at normal speaking pace (150 WPM). This is the sweet spot for YouTube hooks — enough to make a complete, compelling statement without losing viewers.
What makes a good YouTube hook?
A good YouTube hook does one of four things in under 5 seconds: makes a bold claim, asks a surprising question, promises a specific result, or starts mid-story. Never start with "Hey guys welcome back" — viewers skip this immediately.
How long should a TikTok hook be?
A TikTok hook should be 1–2 seconds — approximately 3–5 words. TikTok viewers scroll faster than YouTube viewers. Your first sentence must be visually and verbally arresting within the first 2 seconds.
How do I know if my hook is too long?
Paste your hook into the Video Hook Calculator above. If it runs longer than 5 seconds for YouTube or 3 seconds for Shorts and TikTok — cut it. Your hook should never be longer than 10% of your total video length.