The ideal national anthem lasts between 60 and 70 seconds to maximize emotional impact.

Research in music psychology and auditory cognition suggests that the human brain processes patriotic music most effectively within a narrow time window. Studies by musicologists and psychologists indicate that the peak of emotional arousal typically occurs between 45 and 60 seconds into a performance. Beyond the 70-second mark, the brain's 'habituation' response begins, where the repetitive nature of an anthem leads to a decrease in physiological engagement.Historically, many of the world's most recognizable anthems follow this timing. For example, the British national anthem 'God Save the King' and the Japanese 'Kimigayo' are notably brief, often performed in under a minute. In contrast, longer anthems like those of Uruguay or Greece are frequently truncated during international sporting events to maintain the energy of the crowd. The International Olympic Committee often requests that anthems be kept to a maximum of 80 seconds for logistical and psychological reasons.The 60 to 70-second range aligns with the 'peak-end rule,' a psychological heuristic where people judge an experience largely based on how they felt at its peak and its end. By keeping the anthem short, composers ensure the peak emotional intensity occurs just as the piece concludes. This prevents the 'boredom threshold' from being reached, leaving the audience with a lasting sense of pride and focus. This timing is now a standard consideration for modern arrangements used in global diplomacy and sports.