How to Calculate Hook Rate

Hook Rate (Thumb-Stop) Calculator

Your Hook Rate

function calculateHookRate() { var threeSec = document.getElementById("threeSecViews").value; var reach = document.getElementById("totalReach").value; var resultDiv = document.getElementById("hookResult"); var valueDiv = document.getElementById("hookValue"); var adviceDiv = document.getElementById("hookAdvice"); if (threeSec === "" || reach === "" || parseFloat(reach) <= 0) { alert("Please enter valid numbers. Reach must be greater than zero."); return; } var hookRate = (parseFloat(threeSec) / parseFloat(reach)) * 100; var roundedRate = hookRate.toFixed(2); valueDiv.innerHTML = roundedRate + "%"; resultDiv.style.display = "block"; if (hookRate = 15 && hookRate = 30 && hookRate < 45) { resultDiv.style.backgroundColor = "#f0fff4"; adviceDiv.innerHTML = "Great! You have a strong hook that effectively stops the scroll for a significant portion of your audience."; } else { resultDiv.style.backgroundColor = "#ebf8ff"; adviceDiv.innerHTML = "Viral Potential! This is an elite hook rate. Your intro is extremely engaging."; } }

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What is Hook Rate and Why Does It Matter?

In the world of short-form video content—like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts—the Hook Rate (often called the Thumb-Stop Rate) is one of the most critical metrics for success. It measures the percentage of people who stopped scrolling to watch at least the first three seconds of your video.

How to Calculate Hook Rate

The formula for calculating your hook rate is straightforward:

Hook Rate = (3-Second Video Views / Total Reach) × 100

Example Calculation

Imagine you posted a video that reached 20,000 people. Out of those people, 5,000 stayed long enough to watch the first 3 seconds. Using the formula:

• (5,000 / 20,000) = 0.25
• 0.25 × 100 = 25% Hook Rate

What is a Good Hook Rate?

Benchmarks can vary by industry and platform, but generally, here is how to interpret your results:

Hook Rate %	Performance Category
0% – 15%	Low – Needs improvement
15% – 25%	Average – Standard performance
25% – 40%	Good – Above average engagement
40%+	Excellent – High viral potential

3 Tips to Improve Your Hook Rate

1. Visual Movement: Ensure something moves or changes in the frame within the first 1.5 seconds.
2. On-Screen Text: Use "Curiosity Gaps" in your headlines (e.g., "The one secret I wish I knew…").
3. Fast Pacing: Cut out the "dead air." Don't start with "Hey guys," jump straight into the value or the action.