How Fast Is Vinyl Record Edge?

A 33 RPM LP's outer edge passes the needle at about 0.5 metres per second. The inner grooves move 2.5× slower, which is why sound quality always degrades on the inner tracks of a record.

Sound quality always degrades on the inner tracks of a vinyl record — the groove simply moves too slowly past the needle.

• Same pace as an escalator
• Inner grooves are 2.5× slower than outer