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

How Long of a Video Can You Post on Instagram? (Late 2024 quick answer)

If you’re planning content, knowing Instagram’s current video length limits can save time and prevent failed uploads. Limits vary by format (Reels, Stories, feed, Live) and can differ by account, device, region, and app version due to ongoing tests. Below is a quick late-2024 overview, followed by details, specs, and troubleshooting.

Here’s the short version, based on what most accounts see as of late 2024. Your exact caps can vary by account, region, app version, and ongoing tests.

• Reels: Up to 90 seconds for most accounts. Some users in tests see up to 3 minutes.
• Stories: Up to 60 seconds per clip. You can post up to 100 Story clips in a 24-hour window.
• Feed/Instagram Video: Up to 60 minutes (especially when uploading from desktop/web; some mobile flows cap lower).
• Instagram Live: Up to 4 hours per session. You can typically save replays.

Why your limit may differ:

• Instagram runs frequent A/B tests and staged rollouts.
• Mobile vs. desktop upload flows can differ.
• Account type (Creator, Business, Personal) and region sometimes change eligibility.
• App version and device capabilities affect certain options.

Reels length in detail

Reels are designed for short-form, vertical video with fast discovery. For most accounts:

• The practical cap is 90 seconds.
• Some accounts in ongoing tests see up to 3 minutes. You’ll only know if your composer shows that option.

How to check your personal Reels limit:

1. Open Instagram and tap the + icon.
2. Choose Reel.
3. Look for the duration selector (often labeled 15, 30, 60, 90, and sometimes 180 seconds). If you see 180, you’re in the 3-minute test.
4. Try importing a longer clip; the composer will show how much will be used or trimmed.

Music/effects eligibility:

• Commercial music, some effects, and templates may have different rights or time constraints. If a track is restricted, the app will usually prompt you.
• Branded content toggles and partnership labels can restrict music options.

Short feed video vs. Reel:

• Vertical videos under roughly 15 minutes may auto-classify as Reels, especially if posted in vertical (9:16) orientation from the mobile app.
• If you want a video to appear as a traditional feed post, upload horizontally or in 4:5, and/or use the feed upload flow on desktop. Instagram’s classification is evolving, so confirm in the final preview.

When Instagram auto-classifies videos as Reels:

• Vertical videos under 15 minutes are often treated as Reels.
• Expect Reels editing features (captions, audio, effects) and distribution in the Reels tab.

Stories length in detail

Stories support continuous 60-second clips. If you record or upload longer than 60 seconds, Instagram splits the video into consecutive 60-second segments.

Building longer narratives:

• You can chain multiple 60-second segments up to the 100-story limit in 24 hours.
• Use text overlays, stickers, and “Next” cues to keep viewers oriented.

Ideal Story length for engagement:

• Aim for 3–7 segments per narrative. Beyond that, retention typically drops.
• Add interactive stickers (polls, quizzes) every few segments to re-engage.

When to trim or split:

• If context changes, split into a new Story with a fresh hook.
• Trim pauses, add jump cuts, and consider subtitles to maintain pace.

Feed/Instagram Video (non-Reels) and long-form

Posting beyond 90 seconds:

• Use the feed video flow (especially on desktop/web) for videos up to 60 minutes.
• On some mobile builds, long uploads may cap around 15 minutes; desktop can unlock longer duration.

When to use feed video instead of Reels:

• Deep dives, interviews, webinars, and tutorials that exceed 90 seconds.
• Content where you want a traditional caption, comments, and easy timeline scrubbing.

Viewer behavior on longer videos:

• Expect drop-off without a strong hook. Most exits happen in the first 3–10 seconds.
• Add chapters (timestamps) in the caption and on-screen lower thirds to help scanning.

Tips for a strong first 3 seconds:

• Start with a punchy result, claim, or transformation.
• Use bold on-screen text with a benefit statement.
• Cut dead air, add sound design, and avoid long intros.

Instagram Live

• Duration: Up to 4 hours per session for most accounts.
• Ideal use cases: Q&A, product launches, interviews, behind-the-scenes, co-hosted sessions.
• Replays: You can typically save the Live to your profile and feed; availability can vary by account and region.
• Repurposing: Clip highlights into Reels, publish full segments as feed videos, or export snippets for Stories.

Why limits vary and how to verify yours

Instagram’s features roll out in waves and are often tested with subsets of users.

Common factors:

• App version: Update to the latest app.
• Region: Rollouts can be country-specific.
• Account type: Creator/Business accounts may see different features.
• Device/platform: Desktop can enable longer uploads; older devices may lack features.
• A/B tests: Some users get 3-minute Reels or different editing options.

Step-by-step checks:

• Reels: + > Reel > check duration selector (15/30/60/90/180). Try importing a file longer than 90 seconds and see if the app trims or allows more.
• Stories: Camera > Story > record past 60 seconds; the app should auto-split. The counter at the top indicates segmentation.
• Feed video: + > Post (or use desktop) > choose a file longer than 90 seconds. If your app refuses, try desktop upload via instagram.com.

Specs that affect success

Delivering in the right format reduces compression artifacts and upload failures. Use these targets:

Bitrate and file size tips:

• For 1080×1920 at 30 fps, target 6–10 Mbps video bitrate for clean motion; 12–16 Mbps for high-action footage if uploads are reliable.
• Keep audio at 128–192 kbps AAC stereo.
• Extremely large files can time out on mobile; aim for efficient export rather than max-quality masters.

Compression workflow (ffmpeg examples):

Basic high-quality H.264 export:

ffmpeg -i input.mov -c:v libx264 -preset slow -crf 18 -vf "scale=-2:1920:flags=lanczos,fps=30" -c:a aac -b:a 160k output_1080x1920.mp4

Target a max bitrate for tricky uploads:

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c:v libx264 -profile:v high -level 4.1 -b:v 8M -maxrate 10M -bufsize 16M -vf "scale=-2:1920,fps=30" -c:a aac -b:a 160k output_capped.mp4

Editing to fit the cap

Keep viewer attention and meet time limits with smart edits:

• Trim ruthlessly: remove pre-roll, pauses, and tangents.
• Use jump cuts and cutaways to maintain pace without losing clarity.
• Split longer topics: create multi-part Reels (Part 1/2/3) or Story series.
• Add subtitles: many viewers watch muted; use high-contrast captions.
• On-screen timers: a subtle progress bar or “Step 1 of 5” helps pacing.
• For long feed videos: include chapter markers on-screen and timestamps in the caption.

Strategy by goal and length

• 5–10 seconds: Hook and payoff. Teasers, transformations, “before/after,” or a single tip.
• 30–60 seconds: Education or entertainment with one core idea. Great for Reels.
• 60–90 seconds: Mini-tutorials, product demos, quick stories.
• 2–10 minutes (feed): Deep dives, interviews, case studies. Use chaptering and a strong mid-roll re-engagement moment.
• 30–60+ minutes (Live): Q&A, launches, co-creator interviews, workshops. Re-engage every 5–10 minutes for new joiners.

Troubleshooting and FAQs

Why did my upload fail or get trimmed?

• The file exceeds your current duration cap for that format.
• The aspect ratio or codec isn’t supported.
• The file is very large and times out on mobile data.
• The app auto-split your Story beyond 60 seconds; review each segment.

How can I compress without losing quality?

• Use H.264 with a CRF between 18–22 and a slow preset for good quality/size balance.
• Cap maxrate and bufsize to smooth bitrate spikes (see ffmpeg examples above).

Can I post a 2–3 minute Reel?

• Some accounts in tests can post up to 3 minutes. If your composer shows 180 seconds, you’re eligible.
• If not, post as a feed video or split into multiple Reels.

Can I post 10–60 minute videos?

• Yes, as feed videos—most reliably via desktop/web uploads. Ensure your file meets the specs and keep bitrates reasonable.

Do ads use different limits?

• Yes. Ad placements (Reels, Stories, feed) have their own duration and spec limits and can change frequently. Check the latest placement specs in Ads Manager before exporting.

What’s the best aspect ratio?

• Reels/Stories: 9:16.
• Feed: 4:5 for vertical dominance, 1:1 for versatility, 16:9 for cinematic horizontals.

How long of a video can you post on Instagram—final takeaway?

• Reels up to 90 seconds for most, Stories 60 seconds per clip (100 clips/day), Feed up to 60 minutes, Live up to 4 hours. Always verify in your app, as Instagram regularly tests and updates limits.

Summary

Instagram video limits depend on format and can vary by account, platform, region, and app version. As of late 2024, the common caps are Reels up to 90 seconds (some tests at 3 minutes), Stories 60 seconds per clip (up to 100/day), feed videos up to 60 minutes, and Lives up to 4 hours—always confirm in your composer. For best results, match specs, optimize bitrate, and structure content to hook viewers early.