How Long of a Video Can You Post on IG? Reels, Stories, Feed, and Live Explained

Instagram offers several video formats, each with its own time limits and best-use cases. This guide gives you an at-a-glance view of current caps for Reels, Stories, Feed videos, and Live, plus practical tips for choosing the right format and optimizing quality. Because features evolve quickly, always verify limits in the app before publishing.

How Long of a Video Can You Post on IG? Reels, Stories, Feed, and Live Explained

If you’re planning your next Instagram video, here’s the quick, current snapshot of length limits and when each format makes sense. Features evolve often, so treat this as a guide and double-check the in-app uploader before you hit Post.

The quick answer

• Reels: up to 90 seconds
• Stories: up to 60 seconds per story (post multiple in sequence for longer narratives)
• Feed video (non-Reel): up to 60 minutes, most reliably via desktop/web upload
• Instagram Live: up to 4 hours per broadcast

These caps can vary for some users in limited tests. Always check the length indicator on the upload screen for your account.

Tip: Instagram’s naming and presentation of “video vs. Reels” can shift. The limits above reflect what most creators see as of 2024–2025.

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Reels length and specs

• Max length: 90 seconds for most accounts. Some users may see tests allowing 3–10 minutes—if you have it, the “Length” selector will show those options when creating a Reel.
• Aspect ratio: 9:16 full-screen vertical. Export 1080×1920 pixels.
• Composition:
• Hook viewers in the first 2–3 seconds (a bold statement, motion, or question).
• Add burned-in captions or use auto-captions for accessibility and silent autoplay.
• Keep on-screen text within safe areas to avoid UI overlays (buttons, captions). Leave generous margins top and bottom.
• When to choose Reels:
• You want maximum reach via the Reels tab and Explore.
• You’re tapping into trends, music, or quick tips.
• You’re optimizing for completion rate and replays.

Pro tip: Even with only 90 seconds, you can serialize multi-part stories. Use a consistent Part 1/2/3 title card and a Cover image that ties the series together.

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Stories duration and sequencing

Stories now support a continuous 60-second clip per story card for most users. To go longer, simply record or upload multiple cards back-to-back; they’ll play in sequence.

• Best uses:
• Day-in-the-life updates, time-sensitive announcements, polls, and quick promos.
• Behind-the-scenes or “ask me anything” prompts.
• Tools to boost engagement:
• Stickers: Polls, Questions, Quizzes, Countdowns, Add Yours.
• Links: Add a link sticker to drive traffic.
• Music: Licensed tracks vary by account type; business accounts may see restrictions.
• Keepers: Save evergreen stories into Highlights on your profile. Organize by topic (FAQs, Testimonials, Press, Tutorials).

Note: Some regions or older app versions may still split uploads into 15-second segments. Update your app to get the 60s cards.

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Feed videos (non-Reel) explained

Instagram supports longform feed videos up to 60 minutes, with the most reliable experience when uploading from desktop (instagram.com).

• When to choose feed video over Reels:
• You need more than 90 seconds.
• You’re publishing tutorials, interviews, webinars, or thought leadership.
• You prefer landscape or 4:5 portrait that isn’t strictly Reel-styled.
• Supported aspect ratios:
• Square 1:1 (1080×1080) for a classic grid look.
• Portrait 4:5 (1080×1350) maximizes vertical real estate in the feed.
• Landscape 16:9 (1920×1080) for filmed interviews, screen demos.
• Covers and previews:
• Select a custom cover frame or upload a cover to control the grid thumbnail.
• In-feed previews auto-play muted; viewers tap for sound and full playback.

Reality check: Instagram has folded many “videos” into the Reels experience visually. Even so, the desktop uploader remains your friend for long uploads and precise metadata.

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Instagram Live: up to 4 hours per broadcast

Go Live for real-time connection, launches, and Q&As.

• Duration: up to 4 hours in one session.
• Scheduling: Set a Live in advance so followers can RSVP and get reminders.
• Guests: Invite collaborators for side-by-side Lives; co-host interviews or panels.
• Moderation: Assign moderators, filter comments, and use badges for monetization (if available).
• After the Live:
• Save to your archive and optionally share to your profile.
• Export clips into Reels or feed posts; caption highlights for replay value.
• When Live outperforms prerecorded:
• Announcements with urgency, product drops, or community Q&A.
• Events where audience interaction is key.

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Pick the right format for your goal

• Quick reach and discovery: Reels
• Short, catchy, trend-ready. Great for top-of-funnel awareness.
• Day-in-the-life, announcements, quick promos: Stories
• Frequent, informal, interactive. Perfect for nurturing and CTAs.
• Deep dives, tutorials, interviews: Feed video
• Longer, more intentional viewing. Great for authority and SEO within IG.
• Real-time Q&A, launches, events: Live
• High engagement and urgency. Ideal for community building and sales moments.

Watch-time and completion rates matter. Optimize your hook, pacing, and captions regardless of format.

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Technical limits and quality tips

Keep uploads crisp and compliant with these baseline specs.

Quality safeguards:

• Export once from your editor; avoid re-exporting social downloads.
• Enable “Upload at highest quality” in the Instagram app (Settings and privacy > Data usage and media quality).
• Shoot in good light and lock exposure to reduce noise (noise gets over-compressed).
• Use consistent color and sharpness; extreme filters can trigger harsher recompression.

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Workarounds for longer content

• Serialize Reels: Break a 5–10 minute topic into a 5–7 part Reel series with consistent hooks and covers.
• Chain Stories: Use multiple 60-second cards; add navigation stickers, timestamps, and a Highlight to preserve.
• Go Live, then clip: Host the long session on Live and cut 30–90 second highlights into Reels.
• Teaser + redirect: Post a short trailer that points to a full video on your site, YouTube, or a newsletter.
• Hybrid approach: Publish a 90-second summary Reel and a 10–20 minute feed video for depth. Cross-link in captions and Stories.

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FAQs and gotchas

• Why did my video get cut?
• You likely exceeded the format cap (e.g., >90s for Reels). Instagram will prompt to trim or will auto-trim. Consider feed video or Live instead.
• Why won’t my upload finish?
• Common culprits: flaky Wi-Fi/cellular, file >4 GB, unsupported codec, or backgrounding the app mid-upload. Try smaller bitrate, H.264/AAC, and a stable connection. Desktop upload helps for long videos.
• Aspect ratio looks off or cropped
• Use the crop tool on upload to pinch/zoom. For Reels/Stories, export 9:16 to avoid pillarboxing. For feed, 4:5 maximizes vertical space.
• Audio got muted or blocked
• Licensed music availability varies by region/account type. Business accounts have limited libraries. Use Instagram’s in-app audio, your original audio, or properly licensed tracks.
• My captions are behind UI elements
• Keep text away from the very top (profile/meta overlays) and bottom (caption/CTA controls). Test with a private account or a test story before publishing.
• Do longer Reels (3–10 minutes) exist?
• Instagram has run limited tests. To check your access: start creating a Reel and look for a “Length” option showing 3 or 10 minutes. If you don’t see it, you’re capped at 90 seconds.

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What’s changing in 2024–2025 and how to stay current

Instagram iterates fast. To keep compliant:

• Check in-app limits before posting:
• Start an upload and look for the time cap shown on the scrubber or Length control.
• Monitor official sources:
• Instagram Help Center
• @creators and @instagram on Instagram
• In-app notifications for Reels/Live updates
• Validate via desktop uploader:
• For long videos, the web uploader often reveals practical caps and file constraints.

Pre-post compliance checklist:

[ ] Target format chosen (Reel / Story / Feed / Live) matches your goal
[ ] Length within current limit (Reels ≤ 90s; Stories 60s per card; Feed ≤ 60m; Live ≤ 4h)
[ ] Resolution + aspect ratio exported correctly (e.g., 1080×1920 for vertical)
[ ] H.264 video + AAC audio; bitrate in recommended range
[ ] Safe text area respected; captions legible on mobile
[ ] Custom cover selected (grid + Reels feed as needed)
[ ] Licensed or original audio only; volume balanced
[ ] High-quality upload enabled; stable connection or use desktop for long uploads

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Final takeaways

• Reels cap at 90 seconds; Stories are 60 seconds per card; feed videos can run up to 60 minutes via desktop; Lives stretch to 4 hours.
• Choose format by goal: reach (Reels), nurture (Stories), depth (Feed video), real-time engagement (Live).
• Nail the fundamentals—hook, captions, safe zones, and clean exports—and you’ll maximize watch-time and discovery regardless of length.

Summary

Instagram supports four primary video formats with distinct length limits: Reels (up to 90 seconds), Stories (60 seconds per card), Feed videos (up to 60 minutes), and Live (up to 4 hours). Pick the format that matches your goal—reach, engagement, depth, or real-time interaction—and export at the right aspect ratio and quality settings. Always verify in-app caps before posting, and use desktop upload for longer videos to minimize hiccups.