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.