How Long Should a Pitch Deck Be?

When you’re raising funds or pitching a big idea, one of the first questions you might ask is: How long should my pitch deck be? The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but there are some guidelines that can help you strike the right balance.

The ideal pitch deck length

Most experts agree that the sweet spot for a pitch deck is 10–15 slides. That’s long enough to cover the essentials—problem, solution, market, business model, traction, team, and ask—but short enough to keep investors engaged.

If you’re presenting live, aim for closer to 10 slides so you can get through them in 10–15 minutes, leaving plenty of time for discussion. If you’re sending a deck by email, you can add a little more detail, but keep it scannable. Investors still won’t spend more than a few minutes reviewing it.

Why brevity matters

Your pitch deck isn’t meant to tell your entire story, it’s meant to spark curiosity. The goal is to get your audience interested enough to ask questions or schedule a follow-up. Every extra slide risks diluting your message and losing attention.

Think of your deck as a trailer, not the whole movie. You want your audience to understand the opportunity and see why you’re the team to solve it—quickly and clearly.

Tips for keeping it concise

• Lead with the hook: Make your problem and solution clear within the first two slides.
• Focus on must-haves: Only include what helps investors say “yes” to a meeting or next step.
• Use visuals: Charts and graphics can communicate complex ideas faster than text.
• Cut ruthlessly: If a slide doesn’t directly support your pitch, leave it out.

A strong pitch deck is short, clear, and compelling. Aim for 10–15 slides, keep your story focused, and remember that your goal is to start a conversation—not answer every possible question upfront.