Are you new to Instagram and not sure how long your videos can be? Don’t worry! This guide will help you understand the different video types on Instagram and how long each one can be in 2025.
Knowing the video time limits will help you post better videos and get more views and likes.
Table of Contents
Why Video Length Is Important
If your video is too short, people may not understand what you’re showing. If it’s too long, people may stop watching. When your video is the right length, more people watch it until the end, and Instagram may show it to more users. You can use simple tools like Instagram’s built-in video timer, trim feature, or free editing apps like InShot or CapCut to help you cut and adjust your videos to the right length before posting.
Instagram Reels (Short Videos)
- Max Time: 90 seconds
- Min Time: 3 seconds
Reels are short videos that people watch for fun. They show up in the Reels tab and are great for quick and interesting content.
Best for:
- Tips or advice
- Funny clips
- Dancing or trending sounds
- Quick how-to videos
Best Length: 15 to 30 seconds is perfect. Short Reels often get more views.
Instagram Stories (Quick Daily Videos)
- Max Time: 60 seconds
- Instagram breaks it into 15-second parts
- Lasts: 24 hours unless saved as a Highlight
Stories are short videos or pictures that disappear after one day. You can post many clips in a row.
Best for:
- Daily life updates
- Quick questions or polls
- Behind-the-scenes clips
- Small updates or messages
Tip: Add text, music, or stickers to make Stories more fun.
Instagram Feed Videos (Regular Posts)
- Max Time: 10 minutes (some accounts can post up to 60 minutes)
- Min Time: 3 seconds
Feed videos are posted like normal photo posts, but they are videos. People see them while scrolling their feed.
Best for:
- Tutorials or teaching something
- Product reviews
- Story videos
- Vlogs or daily life videos
Tip: The first 3–5 seconds should be interesting to make people keep watching.
Instagram Live (Live Streaming)
- Max Time: 4 hours
- Min Time: No set minimum—just end it when you want
Instagram Live lets you talk to your followers live. They can watch, like, and send comments during the video.
Best for:
- Talking with your followers
- Answering questions
- Showing events or launches
- Interviews or chats
Tip: Let people know when you’ll go live so more people can join.
Instagram Carousel (Multiple Videos or Photos in One Post)
- Max Time: 10 minutes per video
- Max Slides: 10 photos or videos in one post
Carousel posts let you share more than one photo or video. People can swipe to see each one.
Best for:
- Step-by-step guides
- Before-and-after clips
- Tutorials in parts
- Showing more than one thing
Tip: Make the first slide interesting so people want to swipe and see more.
Quick Table – Instagram Video Length Limits (2025)
| Type of Post | Max Time | Good For |
|---|---|---|
| Reels | 90 seconds | Short and fun videos |
| Stories | 60 seconds (split into 15s parts) | Daily updates, behind-the-scenes |
| Feed Videos | 10 minutes (some get 60 mins) | Longer videos, reviews, how-tos |
| Live | 4 hours | Real-time talks or events |
| Carousel Posts | 10 mins per video, 10 slides max | Multi-part posts or tutorials |
Easy Tips for Better Instagram Videos
- Keep it short: Short videos are easier to watch.
- Make it fun from the start: Start your video with something interesting.
- Use text or captions: Many people watch without sound.
- Pick the right format: Use Reels for quick clips, Feed for longer videos, and Stories for updates.
- Check your results: Look at how many people watched your videos to learn what works best.