How Long Are Facebook Stories and Video Duration Limits

Introduction to Facebook Stories Duration and Purpose

Facebook Stories are a prominent feature in social media that allow users to share ephemeral content—short-lived photos and videos that vanish after 24 hours. Designed to promote casual, in-the-moment updates, these Stories sit atop the Facebook app interface, encouraging frequent check-ins. Whether you’re an individual, brand, or community, understanding how long Facebook Stories last and the rules around their duration is crucial for creating content that people actually watch to the end.

The temporary nature of Stories creates urgency, drives repeat visits, and offers a creative outlet without the pressure of long-term visibility.

Exact Time Limit for Facebook Stories (Photos vs. Videos)

When asking "how long are Facebook Stories?", the answer depends on the type of media uploaded:

• Photos: Displayed for 5 seconds, unless the viewer taps to skip.
• Videos: Maximum 20 seconds per segment.

If a video exceeds 20 seconds, Facebook automatically splits it into consecutive clips.

Facebook Stories Time Limit Table

What Happens After the Time Limit and 24-Hour Expiry

All Stories—photo or video—disappear from public view 24 hours after posting. After expiry:

• Removed from the public story feed.
• Archived privately if the Story Archive setting is enabled.
• Engagement data (views, taps, replies) remains accessible for about 28 days.

This built-in expiry supports content freshness and encourages real-time sharing.

Differences for Personal, Page, and Group Stories

The 5-second and 20-second limits apply across all Facebook profiles, but audience reach differs:

While time limits are identical, publishing strategy often differs—Page Stories are more polished, while personal profiles may be informal.

Comparing Facebook Stories to Instagram and WhatsApp Stories

Meta operates Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, each with slightly different story timers:

If you cross-post, be mindful of the shortest duration among them to avoid abrupt cuts.

Tips for Creating Impactful Stories Within the Time Limit

1. Lead strong – Capture attention in the very first second.
2. Stay concise – Fit messaging comfortably inside 5 or 20 seconds.
3. Focus on visuals – Use high-contrast, mobile-friendly design.
4. Use captions – Cater to viewers who watch on mute.
5. Add interactions – Polls, stickers, and questions boost engagement.

Extending Content with Multiple Story Segments

For longer videos, Facebook will:

• Split into sequential 20-second clips.
• Play automatically in order.
• Let you reorder or delete segments before publishing.

This makes it easier to share longer narratives while retaining viewer attention—as long as each segment adds value.

Best Practices for Ideal Story Video Length

Just because you can use 20 seconds doesn’t mean you should:

• 10–15 seconds often performs best for retention.
• Keep the first clip especially engaging.
• Use the full limit only when storytelling demands it.

Technical Requirements for High-Quality Story Uploads

Follow these to avoid playback or quality issues:

• Formats: MP4 or MOV.
• Resolution: 1080 × 1920 px (9:16 vertical).
• Bitrate: Under 4–5 Mbps recommended.
• Max file size: ~4 GB per video.
• Audio: AAC preferred; include key sound early.

Avoid heavy pre-compression; Facebook optimizes during upload.

Tracking Story Performance and Posting Times

Facebook Story Insights track:

• Views
• Taps forward/backward
• Replies and other interactions
• Exit rate

Post when your audience is active—often mornings or evenings, depending on your time zone.

Common Duration and Pacing Mistakes

Avoid:

• Filler content that drags.
• Small or cluttered visuals.
• Relying on audio without text.
• Forgetting platform-specific duration rules.
• Posting too many consecutive segments (viewer fatigue after 5–6).

Conclusion and Action Steps

Facebook Stories offer high-visibility, short-format engagement with fixed limits—5 seconds for photos, 20 seconds for each video clip, and 24-hour lifecycle.

Key takeaways:

• Use the time limit strategically for punchy, engaging content.
• Consider audience type (friends, followers, group members) when posting.
• Align cross-platform content with varying duration rules.

By mastering Facebook Story length and pacing, you can create compelling, watch-to-the-end content that resonates with your audience. Experiment with formats, track performance, and fine-tune timing to maximize impact. Start crafting your next Story with a strong hook today.