Average time per move

I'm wondering how the average time per move is calculated.

I suppose it's relly what time is measured as the number of moves is easy to count. Is it from first looking at a position till I move, total time logged in. I'm curious as my average time per move is over 4 hours and I've never spend anything like that long deciding on a move (I probably should give some of my moves recently).

The time per move is the time from when your opponent make their move to the time that you make your move.  For example, if your opponent makes a move at 7:00 am and you make your move at 11:00 am, the time for your move is 4 hours. 

The time per move can be deceptive because it's impacted by differences in time zones (if my opponent and I are in the same time zone, there's a good chance that we will be logged on at the same time, and the moves will be made quickly), whether you're asleep or at work, etc.

Ah, I understand. Makes it a bit daft to have a 3 hour average move time limit on some tournaments then. If the organisers of chess.com tournaments want to keep the limit, they should consider creating regional tournaments.

Say 30% of the players on the site are eligible. An estimate based on the number of entrants in these two tournaments (511/1724 = 30%).

511 players: http://www.chess.com/tournament/12th-chesscom-quick-knockouts-1401-1600

1724 players: http://www.chess.com/tournament/15th-chesscom-tournament-1401-1600

Many of the 511 are new players who play their first games in a frenzy until they are less excited about finding the site. Lets say half are new and not yet settled into their true time per move average.

So there are about 15% or so long term members who are eligible. (Half of 30% is 15%.)

The downside is, every third official tournament shuts out 85% of the long-term members.

The upside is there is an option for players who want to play quickly.

How often are the average times updated? I have had the same average time for many months and been prevented from entering games because of this. I know full well that in most of my games I reply in only a few seconds