How long does a sixteenth note last?

A sixteenth note lasts for a quarter of a beat. In traditional music notation, a whole note is typically divided into four beats. Each beat can be further divided into subdivisions, with a sixteenth note representing one of those subdivisions. Therefore, a sixteenth note's duration is one-fourth of a beat, which is the correct understanding of its value in the context of rhythm. This subdivision allows musicians to create complex and rapid rhythmic patterns, making it an essential concept in composing and performing music.