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Report · November 2025 – October 2026

Document Engagement Benchmarks 2026

How long people really read shared PDFs, pitch decks, proposals and reports, how many finish, when a document is opened after it is sent and where attention goes – from 76194 visits to 2775 documents shared by 463 teams through HelpRange.

1. Most reading happens in the first minutes

The median visit lasts 48 s. 37.3% of visits are shorter than 30 seconds – send the point of the document first.

2. Only 30.4% of visits reach the last page

The median reader opens 50.0% of a document's pages. Long appendices are rarely read; put the ask before page 10.

3. Documents are read within 2 hours of sending

76.9% of links are opened within 24 hours – a follow-up two days later is late.

4. 43.0% of visits come from a phone or tablet

Decks and proposals have to work on a small screen; dense spreadsheets do not.

5. Verified readers come back

53.4% of readers who verified their e-mail opened the document a second time on another day – the second visit is the signal to follow up.

Read time and completion by document length

Median time of a visit and the share of visits that reached the last page, by the number of pages in the document.

Document lengthVisitsMedian visitReached the last page
1–5 pages3662333 s37.9%
6–10 pages602827 s43.9%
11–20 pages998446 s37.7%
21–50 pages3593123 s24.8%
51+ pages19966234 s10.1%

Overall: median visit 48 s · 30.4% reach the last page · median 50.0% of pages opened · 37.3% of visits under 30 seconds.

Where the attention goes in a 10–20-page document

Share of a visit's reading time by page position (first tenth of the pages to the last tenth) – pitch decks, proposals and one-pagers.

Pages 10% 26.6%
Pages 20% 16.7%
Pages 30% 12.5%
Pages 40% 9.4%
Pages 50% 7.1%
Pages 60% 4.9%
Pages 70% 4.2%
Pages 80% 3.9%
Pages 90% 3.9%
Pages 100% 10.8%

When documents are opened

After sending

Median time from creating a link to its first visit: 2 hours. 76.9% of links are first opened within 24 hours.

Time of week

Busiest hours: between 9:00 and 11:00 UTC. Visits by weekday: Mon 15.5% · Tue 17.3% · Wed 15.3% · Thu 16.2% · Fri 14.3% · Sat 9.4% · Sun 12.0%.

Device

43.0% of visits come from a phone or tablet.

Return visits and downloads

53.4% of verified readers come back on another day. Where downloads are allowed, 1.7% of visits download the file.

How documents are read around the world

Averages per region of the reader (from the visitor's IP address): share of all visits and the median visit.

Asia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sNorth America – 6.6% of visits, median visit 48 sNorth America – 6.6% of visits, median visit 48 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sLatin America – 0.8% of visits, median visit 3 min 6 sLatin America – 0.8% of visits, median visit 3 min 6 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sLatin America – 0.8% of visits, median visit 3 min 6 sLatin America – 0.8% of visits, median visit 3 min 6 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sLatin America – 0.8% of visits, median visit 3 min 6 sLatin America – 0.8% of visits, median visit 3 min 6 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sNorth America – 6.6% of visits, median visit 48 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sLatin America – 0.8% of visits, median visit 3 min 6 sLatin America – 0.8% of visits, median visit 3 min 6 sLatin America – 0.8% of visits, median visit 3 min 6 sLatin America – 0.8% of visits, median visit 3 min 6 sLatin America – 0.8% of visits, median visit 3 min 6 sLatin America – 0.8% of visits, median visit 3 min 6 sLatin America – 0.8% of visits, median visit 3 min 6 sLatin America – 0.8% of visits, median visit 3 min 6 sLatin America – 0.8% of visits, median visit 3 min 6 sLatin America – 0.8% of visits, median visit 3 min 6 sLatin America – 0.8% of visits, median visit 3 min 6 sLatin America – 0.8% of visits, median visit 3 min 6 sLatin America – 0.8% of visits, median visit 3 min 6 sLatin America – 0.8% of visits, median visit 3 min 6 sLatin America – 0.8% of visits, median visit 3 min 6 sLatin America – 0.8% of visits, median visit 3 min 6 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sLatin America – 0.8% of visits, median visit 3 min 6 sNorth America – 6.6% of visits, median visit 48 sLatin America – 0.8% of visits, median visit 3 min 6 sLatin America – 0.8% of visits, median visit 3 min 6 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sAsia-Pacific – 9.6% of visits, median visit 1 min 32 sLatin America – 0.8% of visits, median visit 3 min 6 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sEurope – 79.7% of visits, median visit 47 sLatin America – 0.8% of visits, median visit 3 min 6 sMiddle East & Africa – 1.3% of visits, median visit 38 s Europe79.7% · 47 sAsia-Pacific9.6% · 1 min 32 sNorth America6.6% · 48 sMiddle East & Africa1.3% · 38 sLatin America0.8% · 3 min 6 s
Europe – 79.7%Asia-Pacific – 9.6%North America – 6.6%Middle East & Africa – 1.3%Latin America – 0.8%
RegionShare of visitsMedian visitFrom a phone or tabletReach the last pageVerified readers who return
Europe79.7%47 s44.3%27.5%55.9%
Asia-Pacific9.6%1 min 32 s48.7%42.7%46.3%
North America6.6%48 s22.3%44.0%39.9%
Middle East & Africa1.3%38 s43.4%38.9%n/a
Latin America0.8%3 min 6 s41.2%33.3%n/a

A region is shown only with at least 500 visits from at least 20 different sending teams, so no single company's documents decide a number; return rates need at least 100 verified readers. The mix of documents differs by region – long reports and e-books raise the median visit where they are common.

Data rooms

A HelpRange data room with guests has a median of 2 outside guests – most rooms are shared with a small, named group, not broadcast. See the data room pricing report for what rooms cost.

Method

The figures are aggregates of visits to documents shared as HelpRange links in November 2025 – October 2026. A visit is one reader session on one document; visits shorter than 3 seconds, bot user agents, expired or blocked links, lead-form-only visits and HelpRange's own test accounts are excluded, and a visit's time is capped at one hour. Page-level time comes from the viewer, which reports the seconds spent on each page. Any bucket with fewer than 500 visits is not published. Only aggregates are shown – no team, document, reader or e-mail address can be identified.

Use this data

You are welcome to quote the figures and charts. Please cite “HelpRange Document Engagement Benchmarks 2026” with a link to https://www.helprange.com/document-engagement-benchmarks.

See these numbers for your own documents

Share a PDF, deck or Office file as a HelpRange link and every visit records the pages read, the time per page, device and country – with a heatmap and page-by-page analytics, a replay of the visit and alerts when the document is opened. Data rooms add an NDA before access and guest reports.

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FAQ

Document engagement – questions

How long do people spend reading a shared PDF?

In HelpRange data the median visit to a shared document lasts 48 s; 37.3% of visits are under 30 seconds. Time grows with document length but far less than proportionally – see the table by document length.

What share of readers finish a document?

30.4% of visits reach the last page. The median visit opens 50.0% of the pages. Shorter documents are finished far more often than long ones.

When is a document read after it is sent?

The median link is first opened 2 hours after it was created, and 76.9% of links get their first visit within 24 hours.

Which part of a pitch deck gets the most attention?

The attention chart shows how reading time is distributed over the pages of 10–20-page documents (decks, proposals, one-pagers). Time concentrates on the first fifth of the pages; the last pages get the least.

How were these benchmarks computed?

From 76194 visits to 2775 documents shared by 463 HelpRange teams in November 2025 – October 2026. Only aggregates are published; no team, document or reader can be identified. Visits shorter than 3 seconds, bot user agents, expired links and HelpRange's own test accounts were excluded; any bucket with fewer than 500 visits is left out.

Can I use these figures?

Yes – please cite "HelpRange Document Engagement Benchmarks 2026" and link to https://www.helprange.com/document-engagement-benchmarks.

How do I see these numbers for my own documents?

Share a PDF, deck or Office file as a HelpRange link: every visit records the pages read, time per page, device and country, with a heatmap and a replay of the visit. The Free plan includes 15 views a month.