Short answer
Open the video, tap the gear or three-dot menu in the player and choose Playback speed, then pick a speed such as 0.5x, 1.25x, 1.5x or 2x.
Key takeaways
- Playback speed is in the video player's settings menu.
- Speed control works on most uploaded videos, not on live broadcasts.
- Data saver settings change video quality, not speed.
X added playback speed controls to its video player in 2022. They're handy for long videos, tutorials and Spaces recordings.
How do I change the speed?
Open the video player's settings and choose Playback speed.
- Web: hover over the video, click the gear (settings) icon, choose Playback speed.
- iPhone and Android: tap the video to open it full screen, tap the three dots or gear icon, choose Playback speed.
Pick from the speeds offered, typically 0.25x up to 2x.
Which videos support it?
Most uploaded videos; live broadcasts and some ads don't.
If the menu isn't there, it's usually one of those, or an outdated app.
What about slow connections?
Lower the quality instead: Settings > Accessibility, display and languages > Data usage > Data saver.
Data saver loads lower-quality video and stops autoplay. See using X on a slow connection.
Which speed should I use?
1.25x to 1.5x for talks and tutorials, 2x for skimming, 0.5x to study a detail.
| Speed | Good for |
|---|---|
| 0.25x to 0.5x | Checking a fast move in sports clips, reading on-screen text, studying a technique |
| 1x | Music, comedy, anything where timing is the point |
| 1.25x to 1.5x | Interviews, explainers, recorded Spaces, product demos |
| 1.75x to 2x | Skimming long videos for the one part you need |
Captions help at higher speeds. If a video has captions, turn them on in the player (CC button on the web, or your device's caption setting on mobile) so you can follow speech that's sped up.
Why does a video stutter at higher speed?
Usually the connection, not the speed setting: faster playback needs data faster.
If a video stutters at 2x, let it buffer for a few seconds, drop to 1.5x, or switch Data saver off on Wi-Fi so X loads a steadier stream. On mobile data, Data saver loads lower quality, which actually helps speeded-up playback stay smooth.
Questions people ask
Why don't I see the speed option?
Update the app, and make sure the video is a regular upload, not a live stream or an ad. Some embedded third-party players have their own controls.
Does speed reset for the next video?
Usually yes. X applies the speed to the current video.
Can I speed up voice posts?
Voice posts use a simpler player; speed control isn't always offered there.