Instagram Video Length Limits Explained for All Formats
Learn Instagram video length limits for feed posts, Reels, Stories, and IGTV, plus tips to meet format rules and boost performance.
Instagram Video Length Limits Explained for All Formats
If you're asking yourself “how long can IG post video be”, the answer depends entirely on the Instagram video format you select. With Feed posts, Stories, Reels, and longer IGTV-style videos now wrapped into an evolving unified video system, each format comes with unique duration rules, aspect ratios, and ideal use cases.
This detailed guide breaks down Instagram video length limits for all formats, explains recent updates, and shares tips to help you upload videos that fit perfectly—and perform better—in the app.
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Understanding Instagram Video Formats
Instagram has evolved from a simple photo-sharing service into a full-scale multimedia platform. It supports several video types, each designed for specific content goals:
- Feed Video Posts – Appear on your main profile grid and followers’ timelines.
- Stories – Short, temporary clips that vanish after 24 hours.
- Reels – Vertical, short-form videos built for viral discovery.
- IGTV/Long-form Videos – Extended video content, now merged into the unified feed format.
Knowing the format rules ensures your video fits Instagram’s specifications before hitting upload.
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Feed Post Video Length Limits
Videos uploaded to your Instagram feed have strict minimum and maximum limits:
Current limits:
- Minimum length: 3 seconds
- Maximum length: 60 minutes (with extended features; historically 60 seconds before updates)
Most casual uploads max out at 60 seconds unless you’re using Instagram’s updated unified video format, which incorporates IGTV-style length directly into feed playback.
Best use cases include:
- Quick product demos (<1 min)
- Snappy tutorials
- Teasers for longer-form work
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Reels Video Length Limits and Changes Over Time
When Instagram introduced Reels in 2020 to compete with TikTok, they started short but grew over time:
Reels length timeline:
- 2020 Launch: 15 seconds max
- Late 2020: Extended to 30 seconds
- Mid-2021: Increased to 60 seconds
- Mid-2022: Expanded to 90 seconds for most accounts
Reels remain ideal for trending audio, fast entertainment, and rapid audience reach, still distinct in the app’s discovery tab even as boundaries with feed videos blur.
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Stories Video Length Limits and Automatic Segmentation
Stories are designed for bite-sized updates:
Limits:
- Per clip: 15 seconds
- Longer videos: Automatically split into 15-second segments when uploaded
Tips for effective Stories:
- Film directly in-app for fluid segmentation.
- Use interactive features like stickers, polls, and GIFs.
- Keep overlays concise—viewers tap through quickly.
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IGTV and Long-Form Feed Video Length Rules
IGTV was Instagram’s original home for long-form videos. Before its merge into feed videos:
Original IGTV limits:
- Mobile uploads: 15 seconds to 10 minutes
- Desktop uploads (verified accounts): Up to 60 minutes
Now, these extended durations apply to unified feed videos, enabling more in-depth content in a single post.
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Video Length: Personal vs. Business Accounts
While limits are mostly the same, business and verified accounts may unlock extended features sooner.
| Format | Personal Accounts | Business Accounts |
|---|---|---|
| Feed Video | Up to 60 sec (some extended) | Up to 60 min via unified video |
| Stories | 15 sec per clip | 15 sec per clip |
| Reels | 90 sec | 90 sec |
| IGTV / Long Feed Video | 10 min mobile / 60 min desktop | 10 min mobile / 60 min desktop |
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Quality and Resolution Requirements
Stay within Instagram’s technical specs for optimal playback:
- Feed & Long Videos: 1080p resolution, aspect ratios 16:9 or 9:16
- Reels: 1080 × 1920 pixels (vertical 9:16)
- Stories: 1080 × 1920 pixels vertical
Instagram compresses uploads, so record in high quality to avoid noticeable degradation.
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Tips to Fit Content Into Time Limits
Constraints can push creativity. To make your video fit:
- Edit tightly – Cut unnecessary sections and focus on essentials.
- Pace smartly – Use brisk cuts to maintain attention.
- Tease longer content – Lead audiences to platforms with extended videos.
- Segment cleverly – Break a big idea into smaller, format-specific pieces.
Example Reels edit structure:
Intro Hook: 0–3 sec
Main Content: 4–70 sec
Call to Action: last 10 sec---
Choosing the Right Format Based on Video Length
- Under 15 seconds: Stories or ultra-quick Reels
- 15–90 seconds: Reels for broad reach
- 1–3 minutes: Extended feed videos via unified format
- 3–60 minutes: Long-form unified feed/IGTV style content
Selecting the right format boosts viewer retention and aligns with Instagram’s algorithm preferences.
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Recent Instagram Updates Affecting Video Duration
From 2021 onward, Instagram streamlined video formats:
- IGTV & Feed Videos: Merged with longer limits available in-feed
- Reels: Duration extended to 90 seconds in 2022
- Editing tools improved: More precise trimming, layout tweaks, and caption features
Regularly reviewing updates ensures you’re optimizing for current rules and possibilities.
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Summary and Next Steps
In short, how long can IG post video be?
- Stories: 15 seconds per segment
- Reels: Up to 90 seconds
- Feed videos: Typically 60 seconds, extended to 60 minutes via unified format
- Long-form uploads: 10 minutes mobile, 60 minutes desktop for eligible accounts
By matching your content to Instagram’s length limits—and keeping an eye on feature updates—you can craft videos that fit perfectly, engage viewers, and make the most of every second.
Ready to boost your Instagram strategy? Review your upcoming videos, choose the optimal format from this guide, and start publishing content designed to maximize both duration and impact.
