Picture this: you’re enjoying a cozy afternoon with your favorite audiobook, completely immersed—when suddenly, it stops mid-chapter. Annoying, right? That’s exactly what many Spotify users are experiencing with the audiobook feature. But don’t worry—we’re here to break down what’s going on with the Spotify audiobook limit and how you can get the most out of it.
What Exactly is Spotify Audiobook Limit?
In an effort to broaden its content offerings, Spotify has entered the audiobook market, making more than 200,000 titles available to its Premium members. However, there’s a significant limitation—users are restricted to 15 hours of audiobook listening each month. It’s a bit like being invited to an all-you-can-eat buffet, only to find there’s a strict serving limit.
So, why the 15-hour cap? Spotify claims it’s sufficient for most users to get through around two standard-length audiobooks per month. But for dedicated audiobook fans or those who prefer longer titles, this restriction can feel a bit tight.
- Each billing cycle, your 15-hour allowance is refreshed. Playing content at a faster speed won’t extend your time, and even replaying parts of a book will count against your total.
- Keep in mind, any leftover time at the end of the month doesn’t carry over. Once your new billing period begins, unused hours from the previous month are gone for good—Spotify doesn’t issue refunds for them.
- If you hit your monthly limit or simply want extra time, you can buy more audiobook hours.
- This time cap applies to individual Premium accounts as well as the account holders managing Family and Duo plans. Unfortunately, students on the Premium Student plan don’t receive audiobook hours as part of their subscription.
How to Check Your Remaining Spotify Audiobook Listening Time
Now that you’re familiar with Spotify’s audiobook listening limit, here’s how you can keep track of how many hours you have left.
On Desktop:
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Go to your Spotify account page using a web browser.
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Under the “Subscription” tab, click on the “Audiobook Listening Time” option to view your remaining hours.
On Mobile:
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Open the Spotify app and tap your profile picture.
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Navigate to “Settings and privacy,” then select “Account.”
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Tap on your current plan name, then choose “Track your included hours and top ups” to see your remaining audiobook time.
How to Work Around the Spotify Audiobook Limit
Noticed that your Spotify audiobook hours are running low? Here are a few strategies to help you stretch your time and get the most out of your monthly limit.
1. Make the Most of Your 15 Hours
To manage your time wisely, consider planning your listening around shorter audiobooks or breaking longer titles into segments over multiple months. If you typically listen before bed, be aware that falling asleep with playback still running can eat up your hours fast. To prevent this, set a sleep timer on your device so playback stops automatically, helping you preserve your time.
2. Purchase Additional Listening Hours
If you’ve been careful but still run out of hours before your next cycle starts, you can buy extra listening time. Premium Individual users, as well as Family and Duo plan managers, are eligible to purchase multiple top-ups. Each top-up remains valid for 12 months from the purchase date.
To buy more time:
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Head to your account page.
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Under “Manage your plan,” click on “Manage your audiobook listening time,” then select “Top up” to purchase extra hours.
3. Download Spotify Audiobooks for Offline Use
If you’ve hit your limit and don’t want to purchase more hours, there’s another option—downloading your favorite audiobooks for offline playback outside of the Spotify app. Spotify’s official downloads are encrypted and limited to their own app, but with the help of a trusted third-party tool, you can convert and save audiobooks in a standard format to listen freely on any device or player you choose.
Final thoughts
Spotify has long been a favorite among music fans and is now attracting more attention from audiobook listeners. While the 15-hour monthly limit might seem limiting, there are practical ways to manage or overcome it. For occasional listeners or those just starting out with audiobooks, thoughtful planning can help make those hours count. If you have room in your budget, buying top-up hours is a simple way to extend your listening. Alternatively, the most flexible option is to download your favorite audiobooks to your computer for unlimited offline access.