How long should a shower last? The answer depends partly on whether the goal is cleaning, protecting the skin, saving water, or simply relaxing.
A 2024 Harris Poll survey of 2,073 U.S. adults found that respondents reported spending an average of 16.1 minutes in the shower. Gen Z adults reported 21.2 minutes, while one-third of all respondents said they usually stayed for more than 15 minutes. These figures describe people's reported habits, not a medical recommendation.
For skin care, shorter is generally better. The American Academy of Dermatology advises people with dry skin to limit showers or baths to five to ten minutes and use warm rather than hot water. Long, hot showers can remove natural oils and leave the skin feeling dry or irritated. People with eczema are often given similar advice, although individual needs can differ.
Environmental researcher Pablo Pereira-Doel offers a more demanding target: about three minutes to wash the body, with another two minutes when washing the hair. That is best understood as a water-saving goal rather than a universal medical rule.
His research also helps explain why many showers last much longer. In one sample, more than four in ten showers were taken partly for reasons unrelated to hygiene, including relaxation, self-care, and warming up. A shower may be one of the few moments when the phone is out of reach and no one is asking for attention. Once it serves that purpose, people may stop watching the clock.
Conditions in the bathroom matter as well. A study of 8,550 showers in German households found that showers in soft-water areas lasted about 23 percent longer. The researchers suggested that shampoo may foam and rinse differently in soft water, making the experience more pleasant. Low water pressure, meanwhile, can lengthen the process because rinsing takes more time.
Efficient washing does not require aggressive scrubbing. Dermatologists generally recommend using a gentle cleanser where it is needed instead of covering and scrubbing the entire body with large amounts of soap.
There is no single perfect shower length for everyone. Still, five to ten minutes in warm water is a practical starting point, especially for people whose skin becomes dry easily. Getting from 16 minutes down to three may be unrealistic, but cutting even a few minutes can reduce water use without turning a shower into a race.