How Long Can an IG Video Be? 2025 Length Limits for Reels, Stories, Feed, and Live

A clear understanding of Instagram’s 2025 video length limits helps you choose the right format, avoid upload errors, and optimize for attention. This guide organizes the current caps by placement, then walks through best-practice durations, specs, and troubleshooting so your videos actually publish and perform. Use it as a quick reference before you hit upload or plan a multi-format content strategy.

How Long Can an IG Video Be? 2025 Length Limits at a Glance

Wondering how long can an IG video be? Here’s the quick 2025 snapshot of maximum lengths by format, plus practical notes to help you plan content that actually publishes and performs.

Tip: Features and limits continue to evolve. Always check the in-app composer or Ads Manager for the most current options on your account.

Reels Explained: Ideal vs. Max Length and Editing for the Hook

Reels are built for short, high-retention storytelling. While the max for most accounts is 90 seconds, the sweet spot for performance is often much shorter.

• Ideal vs. max
• Max: Up to 90s for most.
• Ideal for retention: 7–30s, especially if your goal is reach and completion rate.
• Longer-than-90s Reels
• Instagram has run limited tests offering 3–10 minute Reels to select creators. If you see a longer option in your composer, use it—but assume your audience’s attention curve still drops fast.
• Reels vs. Feed videos
• Reels are discovery-first, pushed by the algorithm beyond your followers.
• Feed videos favor existing followers and depth; they’re better for tutorials, reviews, and episodes.
• Hit the hook within 3 seconds
• Start with movement, a bold headline, or an intriguing payoff promise.
• Front-load value: show the outcome before the steps.
• Keep cuts tight; trim silences; use jump cuts and punch-in crops.
• Editing tips
• Vertical 9:16, 1080×1920, 24–60 fps (constant frame rate).
• Add on-screen captions; leverage auto-captions in the editor.
• Choose a compelling cover so the Reel earns the tap from your grid.

Stories Workflow: Cards, Highlights, and When Stories Win

Stories are your lightweight, “in-the-moment” format, great for connection and conversion nudges.

• Length and cadence
• 60-second Story cards; Instagram auto-splits longer clips.
• Up to 100 Story cards per day—use sparingly and thoughtfully.
• Stitching narratives
• Plan 3–7 cards per narrative arc: hook → context → value → CTA.
• Alternate formats: video selfie, product close-up, screen recording, poll.
• Highlights for evergreen
• Save best sequences to Highlights with clear themes (How-To, FAQs, Testimonials).
• Use a cover system that matches your brand.
• When Stories outperform Reels
• Warm audience announcements, limited-time offers, behind-the-scenes, Q&As, polls.
• Use interactive stickers (Poll, Quiz, Question) to increase dwell time and responses.

Feed Videos (formerly IGTV): Depth, Desktop Uploads, and Covers

Feed videos are ideal when you need more context than a Reel but want discoverability from your grid.

• When to choose Feed over Reels
• Tutorials, product demos, interviews, long-form reviews, webinars, episodic content.
• Upload constraints
• Mobile uploads can be stricter (some accounts capped around 15 min).
• Desktop/browser uploads typically allow up to 60 min and larger file sizes.
• Organizing longer content
• Series: use consistent titles and episode numbers; cross-link in captions and comments.
• Chapters: add timestamps in captions for skimming (not clickable, but user-friendly).
• Covers that drive taps
• Design a vertical-friendly cover that crops well to square in your grid.
• Use a strong headline, face/subject close-up, and brand cues.

Instagram Live: 4-Hour Streams, Archives, and Repurposing

• Length and logistics
• Stream up to 4 hours. Reliable Wi‑Fi or hardwired connection via streaming tools helps.
• After the Live
• Archive: available for 30 days; download after ending.
• Repurpose: trim into 30–90s Reels, 2–10 minute Feed cuts, and Story recaps.
• Live Rooms
• Co-host with guests to boost reach and engagement. Prep roles, run-of-show, and backups.
• Calls to action
• Use pinned comments and on-screen reminders to funnel viewers to links, profiles, or product tags.

Specs That Influence Length and Quality

Getting the specs right prevents failed uploads and quality drops.

• Aspect ratios
• Reels/Stories: 9:16 (vertical).
• Feed video: 4:5 (preferred for vertical feed), 1:1 (square), 16:9 (landscape) supported.
• Resolution
• 1080×1920 for vertical; 1080×1350 for 4:5; 1080×1080 for square; 1920×1080 for 16:9.
• File size
• Aim under ~4 GB for reliability. Larger files may stall; compress with high-quality settings.
• Codecs
• Video: H.264 (High Profile), Progressive scan, Constant frame rate.
• Audio: AAC, 128–320 kbps, 44.1–48 kHz.
• Frame rate and duration
• 24–60 fps accepted; avoid variable frame rate from screen records—transcode to CFR.
• Captions and accessibility
• Use in-app auto-captions for Reels/Stories.
• For ads, some placements support SRT in Ads Manager; organic posts typically require burned-in captions.
• Bitrate guidance
• 6–12 Mbps for 1080p is a good balance; don’t over-compress fast-motion footage.

Ads and Branded Content: Placement Caps and Where to Verify

Ad duration limits vary by placement, objective, and whether the ad is a boosted post or a purpose-built creative.

• Common caps (subject to change)
• Reels ads: up to 90 seconds.
• Story ads: commonly up to 120 seconds, auto-split into 60s cards; best practice is 6–15s per card.
• Feed video ads: can support longer durations; practical caps often imposed by objective (aim to keep under 60–120s for performance).
• Objectives and delivery
• Some objectives (e.g., App Installs) may restrict creative length/ratio choices.
• Branded content tags do not typically change max length but can impact eligibility.
• Verify current specs
• In Meta Ads Manager, choose your objective and placements, then check the media requirements panel.
• Use the built-in quality checker to catch ratio/length mismatches before publishing.

Best-Practice Durations for Performance

• Reels: 7–30s to maximize completion rate; 45–90s for complex stories with tight pacing.
• Stories: 6–30s per card; aim for 3–7 cards per narrative to avoid fatigue.
• Feed videos: 30–180s for educational content; go longer only when the audience intent is high.
• Live: Segment into chapters every 10–15 minutes; restate the premise for new joiners.

Pacing and Structure

• Hook in the first 3 seconds with movement, a bold headline, or the payoff.
• Keep cuts every 1–3 seconds for Reels; vary angles and overlays to reset attention.
• Add clear CTAs: “Save for later,” “Comment ‘guide’ for the checklist,” or “Watch full tutorial in feed.”

Captions and Subtitles

• Use captions to add context, timestamps, resources, and links (where clickable).
• Always include on-screen text or captions for silent viewers.

Analytics to Refine

• Check Audience Retention in Insights; identify drop-off spikes and fix the preceding 3–5 seconds.
• A/B test opening 3 seconds and covers; small changes often shift completion rate dramatically.

Going Longer the Right Way: A Multi-Format Plan

Example: You’ve got a 10–30 minute tutorial.

• Full version
• Post as a Feed video (desktop upload if >15 min). Add a strong cover and clear title.
• Reel series
• Break into 3–5 Reels (30–60s each): Part 1 (problem), Part 2–4 (steps), Part 5 (results).
• Use consistent thumbnails and “Part X” labels; pin parts 1–3 to your grid for a week.
• Story recap
• Create a 3–5 card Story summary with a CTA to the full Feed video; save to Highlights.
• Cross-linking
• Reference the Feed video in Reel captions and comments; use “View full tutorial on my grid.”
• Scheduling
• Stagger releases over 3–5 days with a scheduler; maintain cadence and momentum.
• Repurpose Live
• Host a 20–40 minute Live Q&A after publishing; trim the best answers into Reels.

Troubleshooting Length Errors: Causes, Fixes, and a Pre-Upload Checklist

Why Uploads Fail

• Wrong placement: Trying to upload a long-form video as a Reel when your account is capped at 90s.
• Outdated app: Composer options lag behind; update Instagram.
• File too large: Oversized bitrate or unnecessary ProRes; re-encode to H.264 AAC.
• Aspect ratio mismatch: Crops poorly or fails validation; transcode to the correct ratio.
• Variable frame rate: Screen recordings often desync audio; convert to constant frame rate.
• Music rights: Business accounts may face audio restrictions; pick licensed or original audio.
• Connectivity and device storage: Large files time out; free space and use stable Wi‑Fi.
• Community or brand safety flags: Content can be rejected or limited for policy reasons.

Quick Fixes

• Re-export at 1080p, H.264, 8–12 Mbps, 24–30 fps CFR, AAC 160 kbps.
• Trim a few seconds to meet the placement cap; try posting from desktop for longer Feed videos.
• Clear app cache or reinstall; log out/in to refresh composer options.
• Use the in-app editor to record natively when third-party encodes fail.

Pre-Upload Checklist

[ ] Choose placement first (Reel, Story, Feed, Live) and confirm its max length on your account.
[ ] Export to vertical 9:16 (Reels/Stories) or 4:5/1:1/16:9 (Feed) at 1080p.
[ ] Encode H.264 + AAC, constant frame rate (24–60 fps), under ~4 GB.
[ ] Add burned-in captions or enable auto-captions.
[ ] Design a cover image that crops well on the grid and in Explore.
[ ] Write a hooky first line in the caption; add a clear CTA.
[ ] Test upload on strong Wi‑Fi; if long-form, try desktop.

Final note: If you’re still asking “how long can an IG video be?” the most reliable answer is “it depends on placement and your account.” Use the table at the top to plan, confirm the options visible in your composer or Ads Manager, and optimize for human attention—because completion rate, not just maximum length, is the metric that moves your reach.

Summary

Instagram video length limits vary by placement: Reels typically max at 90s, Stories at 60s per card, Feed videos up to 60 minutes, and Live up to 4 hours. Plan content to fit the limits you see in your composer, adhere to specs for smooth uploads, and favor concise, high-retention edits. When in doubt, optimize the hook and pacing, and verify current caps in-app or in Ads Manager before publishing.