How Long Can a Video Be on Instagram? Length Limits by Format, Specs, and Posting Tips (2025 Guide)

Use this practical guide to navigate Instagram’s ever-shifting video length limits in 2025. It clarifies the maximum durations by format, shows how to verify your current caps, and shares export specs and editing tactics to keep quality high within those limits. Whether you’re posting Reels, Stories, Feed videos, Lives, or ads, you’ll find concise answers and creator-tested tips below.

How Long Can a Video Be on Instagram? Length Limits by Format, Specs, and Posting Tips (2025 Guide)

If you’re asking “how long can a video be on Instagram,” the real answer is “it depends on where you post it.” Instagram’s caps vary by placement (Reels vs Stories vs Feed vs Live vs Ads), and some features roll out in stages or as tests. Below is a current, creator-tested overview for 2025, with practical tips to hit limits confidently and still keep quality high.

Quick answer at a glance

Why limits vary

Instagram optimizes for how people consume content in each surface (quick scroll in Reels, lean-in viewing for Live, tap-through in Stories). Ad placements also carry different technical and policy constraints.

How to confirm your account’s current cap in-app

• Reels: Open the Reels camera > check the duration selector (e.g., 15, 30, 60, 90). If you see options like 3 min or 10 min, your account is in a test group.
• Stories: Try adding a >60s clip; the preview should show auto-slicing into segments.
• Feed: Upload via desktop web (instagram.com) for the most up-to-date long-form options.
• Ads: In Meta Ads Manager, open the placement specs during ad creation; the upload panel will show placement-specific limits.

Note on staged rollouts

Instagram frequently tests new lengths (e.g., longer Reels) with limited regions/creators before broader release. Your caps may change without notice.

Format-by-format breakdown

Reels

• Max length: 90 seconds for most accounts; some see 3–10 minutes in tests. Treat 90s as the broadly safe limit unless your duration selector shows more.
• Use cases: Reach new audiences via the Reels feed and recommendations.
• Ideal length vs max: Often 7–45 seconds outperforms longer clips for retention and completion rates.
• Structure:
• Hook in first 1–3 seconds (pattern interrupt, question, bold claim).
• Deliver 1 core idea; remove side quests.
• End with a CTA (follow, save, comment, visit link in bio).
• Sound: Native music/sounds can boost distribution; beware copyright claims on third-party edits.

Stories

• Max length: Up to 60s per segment; longer videos are auto-sliced into 60s parts. You can post many segments back-to-back.
• Sequencing best practices:
• Front-load context in the first card (“Part 1/5: Big reveal…”).
• Use stickers (captions, polls, links) to keep taps and dwell high.
• Cap sequences at 5–8 segments unless it’s a major launch/tutorial.
• Vertical-first: 9:16 fills the screen; avoid letterboxing.

Feed videos and carousels

• Feed video:
• Length: Long-form uploads up to ~60 minutes (often via desktop) may be supported; videos under ~15 minutes can be converted to Reels automatically.
• Reality check: Feed video discovery is weaker than Reels; use Feed for evergreen pieces that benefit from grid placement.
• Carousels:
• Up to 10 cards; can mix photos and short video clips.
• Keep each video card punchy (≤60s); ensure the cover slide/thumbnail teases the value.

Live

• Length: Up to 4 hours per session (subject to policy and network).
• Replays: Save to your device and repurpose as Reels/Feed highlights. Trim to the strongest exchanges.
• Use cases: Launches, Q&A, interviews, workshops. Announce in advance; pin questions; use a moderator.

Ads

• Reels Ads: Commonly up to ~90s; attention sweet spot 6–15s.
• Stories Ads: Up to ~120s total; many advertisers use 1–3 x 15–30s “cards.”
• Feed Video Ads: Often ≤60s; check your objective/placement specs in Ads Manager.
• Best practice: Build native-feeling creatives per placement (vertical 9:16 for Reels/Stories; 4:5 for Feed), and don’t rely on sound.

Pick the right format for your goal

• Reach and discovery: Reels
• Example: “3 ways to style white sneakers” in 20 seconds with quick cuts and on-screen text.
• Serial updates and behind-the-scenes: Stories
• Example: “Day-in-the-life” or “launch countdown” with interactive stickers.
• Evergreen content on your grid: Feed video or carousel
• Example: A 90-second how-to that pairs with a carousel of steps in the caption.
• Deeper engagement/Q&A: Live
• Example: 30-minute product walkthrough with live questions and pinned answers.
• Conversion and retargeting: Ads
• Example: 15-second Reels ad for top-of-funnel; 30-second Story ad with UGC for mid-funnel.

Creative strategies to fit time limits

• Start with the payoff: Show the end result in the first 2–3 seconds.
• Ruthless trimming: Remove setup, ums, and repeated points.
• Jump cuts and pacing: Cut on action; change angle every 1–3 seconds to maintain energy.
• On-screen text: Compress context; captions make mute-friendly content.
• Captions/subtitles: Use auto-captions, then correct key terms for accuracy.
• Storyboard multi-part sequences: Plan 3–5 beats; tease the next part in the end card.

Technical specs that influence length and quality

Export settings that travel well across Instagram surfaces

Tips to avoid over-compression and failed uploads

• Don’t upload 4K; Instagram re-encodes to ~1080p and may crush bitrates.
• Keep variable bitrate (VBR) with a sane max; avoid overly low bitrates under ~3 Mbps for 1080p.
• Loudness target: around −14 LUFS integrated, with true peak ≤ −1 dBTP to prevent clipping after platform processing.
• Use .mp4 container (H.264 + AAC) for maximum compatibility.

Editing and workflow

• Trim and speed ramp to hit caps: Use 1.1–1.25x ramps on slower sections to fit 90s Reels.
• Batch content: Record 5–10 hooks in one session; assemble variations later.
• Templates and drafts: Save Reels as drafts; duplicate to test different openings.
• Scheduling: Use Meta Business Suite to schedule Reels, Stories, and Feed posts; preview crops per placement.
• Brand consistency: Reuse type styles, color grading LUTs, and bumper animations across a series.

Performance and optimization

• Read retention graphs: In Insights, look for the first big drop-off. Fix by tightening the pre-hook seconds and removing slow intros.
• Completion rate vs watch time:
• Short clips: aim for higher completion rate.
• Longer clips: focus on average watch time and key moments.
• A/B test lengths and hooks: Post similar videos with different first 3 seconds; compare reach and plays.
• Thumbnails/covers: Choose legible text and faces; ensure safe area for both grid and vertical feed.
• Hashtags/keywords: Use 3–8 relevant tags; include searchable keywords in captions.
• Timing: Post when your audience is active (Insights > Total followers > Most active times).

Common errors and fixes

“Video too long” when posting Reels/Stories

• Fix: Trim below your cap (e.g., ≤90s for Reels), or split into parts. For Stories, let Instagram auto-slice but keep to 3–8 segments for better completion.

“Processing failed” or endless upload

• Fixes:
• Re-encode with H.264/AAC and a moderate bitrate.
• Switch to stable Wi‑Fi; avoid weak cellular during long uploads.
• Clear app cache; try desktop web upload for long Feed videos.

Mismatched aspect ratios or black bars

• Fix: Resize to 9:16 for Reels/Stories or 4:5 for Feed. Ensure the subject stays within safe areas to avoid UI overlays.

Exceeded file size limit

• Fix: Lower bitrate moderately (e.g., from 12 Mbps to 8 Mbps for 1080p), not resolution; keep under ~4 GB.

Copyright/music claims

• Fix: Use Instagram’s in-app music or licensed audio. If you used third-party music in your edit, replace with in-app audio and re-upload.

Reliable re-encode recipe (FFmpeg)

## Reels/Stories friendly (9:16, 1080x1920, H.264, AAC, VBR target ~8 Mbps)

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf "scale=1080:1920:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease,\
pad=1080:1920:(ow-iw)/2:(oh-ih)/2:black,fps=30" \
-c:v libx264 -profile:v high -level 4.1 -pix_fmt yuv420p \
-b:v 0 -crf 19 -maxrate 12M -bufsize 24M \
-c:a aac -b:a 192k -ar 48000 -movflags +faststart output_reels.mp4

Split a long clip into 60s Story segments

## Splits into 60-second chunks with clean cuts

ffmpeg -i long_clip.mp4 -c copy -map 0 -segment_time 60 -f segment -reset_timestamps 1 story_part_%02d.mp4

What’s changing next

• Longer Reels tests: Instagram has experimented with 3–10 minute Reels in limited rollouts. Expect staggered availability and evolving editing tools for longer vertical video.
• Ad placement rules evolve: Creative length caps and eligibility (e.g., Reels Overlay Ads) change frequently; always check current specs in Ads Manager before exporting.
• Cross-posting to Facebook: Reels and Stories crossposting continues to mature; optimize once, publish to both when it fits.
• Monetization and bonuses: Eligibility and RPMs may consider watch time and adherence to music/licensing; longer videos don’t guarantee higher earnings if retention suffers.
• Stay updated: Check Instagram Help Center, Meta Business Help Center (Ad specs), and the official @creators account for changes and best practices.

Bottom line

• For most creators, assume: Reels up to 90s, Stories auto-sliced into 60s segments, Feed up to long-form (but less discovery), and Live up to 4 hours.
• Choose format by goal (reach, depth, conversion), then design your edit for the first 3 seconds and the finish.
• Export cleanly (H.264/AAC, 1080p vertical, sensible bitrates) and test variations to learn what your audience will actually watch.

Summary

Instagram’s length limits vary by surface and can change with tests, so always confirm your current caps in-app or in Ads Manager. Optimize for the first few seconds, edit tightly for retention, and export at 1080p with compatible codecs to avoid compression issues. Use the format-by-format guidance here to match your goals, from reach (Reels) to depth (Live) and conversion (ads).