How Long Are Facebook Reels? Max Duration, Ideal Length, and Optimization Tips

How Long Are Facebook Reels? Max Duration, Ideal Length, and Optimization Tips

If you’re planning Facebook Reels, getting the length right is essential for reach, retention, and cross‑platform compatibility. This guide covers the current max duration, the most effective time windows by goal, and simple workflows to keep your edits tight. You’ll also find export specs, cross‑posting tips, and troubleshooting for common length issues.

Quick answer

• Maximum length: Facebook Reels can be up to 90 seconds in most regions for both personal profiles and Pages.
• Why it matters: Crossing beyond 90 seconds disqualifies your upload from being treated as a Reel, which affects distribution, discovery surfaces, and use of Reel-specific features.
• If your video exceeds 90 seconds: Facebook will publish it as a regular video instead of a Reel. You’ll miss Reels-only placement and may see different performance.

Note: Feature availability can vary by region, account type, and app version. Check the Reels composer in your app for the current limit on your account.

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Recommended sweet spots by goal

Shorter Reels tend to earn more completions and replays. Use these time windows strategically:

• Ultra‑short (10–20 seconds)
• Best for: Brand awareness, quick tips, entertainment, teasers.
• Why: High completion rate, more loops, strong early engagement signals.
• Concise (20–45 seconds)
• Best for: How‑tos in one idea, product highlights, listicles (3–5 points).
• Why: Enough time for value and CTA while staying binge‑able.
• Extended (60–90 seconds)
• Best for: Mini‑tutorials, deeper storytelling, before/after sequences, product demos.
• Why: Space for narrative and context while still qualifying as a Reel.

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Length vs. performance: What the algorithm tends to reward

Facebook doesn’t publish its full ranking formula, but these engagement signals commonly matter:

• Average watch time: The average seconds viewers watch. A tight 25-second Reel with a 15–18s average often outperforms a flabby 90-second cut with a 10–12s average.
• Completion rate: Percent of viewers who reach the end. Shorter videos typically score higher here.
• Replays and looping: Natural loops boost total watch time and signal strong interest.
• Early engagement velocity: Hooking viewers in the first 2–3 seconds increases the likelihood of wider distribution.

Takeaway: A shorter, tighter edit frequently beats a maxed-out 90s Reel unless you maintain pace and narrative tension throughout.

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Creation workflows that keep you on time

• Use duration presets: 15, 30, 60, and 90 seconds. Choose a preset based on your goal, not the maximum.
• Script the hook (first 2–3 seconds): Pose a question, show the “after” first, flash the outcome, or start mid‑action.
• Plan beats per time window:
• 15s: Hook (0–2s) → Core value (3–10s) → CTA/loop (11–15s)
• 30s: Hook (0–3s) → 2–3 points (4–24s) → CTA/loop (25–30s)
• 60–90s: Hook (0–3s) → Setup (4–10s) → Body (11–70s) → Payoff (71–85s) → CTA/loop (final seconds)
• Build natural loops:
• End on the same visual you started with.
• Use a sentence that completes as the video restarts.
• Bring motion back to the opening frame to disguise the loop.

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Editing to fit the Reel spec

• Tighten the cut:
• Remove dead air and filler words.
• Trim transitions; use purposeful jump cuts.
• Add captions to maintain pace and accessibility.
• Layer sound effects for momentum (whooshes, hits on cuts).
• Export settings:
• Aspect ratio: Vertical 9:16
• Resolution: 1080 × 1920 (avoid letterboxing)
• Frame rate: 24–60 fps (keep consistent)
• Codec: H.264 video, AAC audio
• Bitrate: 8–16 Mbps (1080p), audio 128–320 kbps
• File type: .mp4 or .mov

Example FFmpeg command to conform a clip to Reel spec:

ffmpeg -i input.mov \
  -vf "scale=1080:1920:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease,pad=1080:1920:(ow-iw)/2:(oh-ih)/2,setsar=1" \
  -r 30 -c:v libx264 -profile:v high -pix_fmt yuv420p -preset medium -crf 18 -b:v 10M \
  -c:a aac -b:a 192k -ar 48000 -ac 2 \
  -movflags +faststart output_reel.mp4

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Cross‑posting realities (Instagram → Facebook)

• Keep Reels ≤ 90 seconds for seamless cross‑posting.
• Avoid platform‑specific features that may not port:
• Music rights differ; a track licensed on Instagram may be muted on Facebook. Prefer original audio or tracks available in both libraries.
• Interactive stickers, polls, or IG‑only effects may not behave identically.
• Maintain aspect ratio: 9:16 vertical works best on both platforms.
• Consider editing outside the app: Export a clean master without watermarks, then upload natively to each platform.

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Use cases by niche: What to put in 20–45s vs. 60–90s

• Creators
• 20–45s: One compelling idea, punchy cuts, bold on‑screen text, strong CTA to follow.
• 60–90s: Storytime with a twist; keep stakes rising every 10–15 seconds.
• Local businesses
• 20–45s: Quick tour, staff spotlight, daily special, event reminder with date/time.
• 60–90s: Before/after transformations (renovation, landscaping), customer testimonials stitched.
• E‑commerce
• 20–45s: Unboxing highlight, 3 reasons to buy, problem/solution demo.
• 60–90s: Deeper demo with features → benefits → social proof → offer.
• Educators
• 20–45s: One concept explained with a visual analogy; end with a micro‑assignment.
• 60–90s: Mini‑lesson with 3 steps and a summary recap; add captions and chapter stamps.

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Length cheat sheet

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Troubleshooting length issues

• Can’t publish up to 90s?
• Update the Facebook app to the latest version.
• Check region/account availability; some features roll out gradually.
• Verify Page vs. profile: Ensure you’re using the Reels composer, not the standard video uploader.
• Audio restrictions: Certain licensed tracks limit durations or block monetization; try original audio or another track.
• File problems: Variable frame rate or odd aspect ratios can cause upload issues. Re‑encode to H.264/AAC, constant frame rate, 1080×1920.
• Your 100+ second clip won’t post as a Reel:
• Trim inside the Reels editor, or split into multiple parts.
• Upload as a regular video if longer format is essential and add a Reel teaser pointing to it.
• Quality looks blurry:
• Ensure strong upload bandwidth and enable “Upload HD” in app settings.
• Use higher bitrate and avoid heavy re‑compression (don’t export, re‑import, and export repeatedly).

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FAQs

• What’s the maximum length of a Facebook Reel?
• Up to 90 seconds in most regions for profiles and Pages. Longer uploads publish as regular videos, not Reels.
• Is there a minimum length?
• There’s no hard published minimum beyond being a valid video, but anything under ~5–7 seconds can feel abrupt and may underperform. Aim for at least 10 seconds for clearer messaging and better retention data.
• Should I always make 90‑second Reels?
• No. Edit to the strongest version of the idea. If you can deliver value in 20–30 seconds, do it—completion and replays often improve.
• Can I schedule Facebook Reels?
• Yes. Pages can schedule Reels via Meta Business Suite (web or mobile). Ensure your file meets Reel specs and choose “Reel” as the format at scheduling time.
• Do captions, music, and on‑screen text affect watch time?
• Captions improve accessibility and retention, especially muted autoplay. Music helps pacing and perceived energy. Keep on‑screen text large, high‑contrast, and minimal per shot.
• How do I keep viewers watching longer?
• Strong hook in 2–3 seconds, rapid visual changes (new shot every 1–3 seconds for short Reels), clear narrative stakes, and a payoff. End on a loop to encourage replays.
• Can I cross‑post Instagram Reels to Facebook?
• Yes, if ≤ 90 seconds and compliant with both platforms’ audio and effects. For reliability, export a clean, watermark‑free master and upload natively to each.

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Final take

Keep Facebook Reels within 90 seconds, but don’t aim for the cap by default. Focus on a sharp hook, brisk pacing, and a clean 9:16 export. Pick the time window that best serves the idea—ultra‑short for punch, concise for clarity, extended for depth—and you’ll maximize completion, replays, and reach.