How Long of a Video Can You Post on Instagram? Complete 2026 Guide

You recorded the perfect video. Great lighting, solid audio, engaging content. You open Instagram to post it and suddenly realize you have no idea if it’s the right length. Will Instagram cut it off? Should it be a Reel or a regular post? How long of a video can you post on Instagram anyway?

Instagram’s video length rules have changed multiple times over the years, and different formats have different limits. This guide breaks down exactly how long your videos can be for every Instagram format in 2026, based on official Instagram documentation.

Quick Reference: Instagram Video Length Limits

Here’s the short version if you’re in a hurry:

Format	Minimum	Maximum
Reels	1 second	20 minutes
Stories	1 second	60 seconds per segment
Feed Video	3 seconds	60 minutes
Live Video	1 second	4 hours
Video Ads	3 seconds	60 minutes

Now let’s get into the details for each format.

How Long Can Instagram Reels Be? Up to 20 Minutes

Instagram Reels have undergone the biggest transformation. What started as a TikTok competitor with 15-second clips has evolved into a robust video platform.

According to Instagram’s official Help Center, you can now record and edit videos up to 20 minutes using Instagram Reels. This is a significant increase from the original 90-second limit that many creators still believe is the maximum.

However, there’s an important caveat: Reels over 3 minutes won’t be recommended to new audiences. Instagram’s algorithm prioritizes shorter content for discovery, so while you can post longer Reels, they may have limited reach beyond your existing followers.

Recommended Reel lengths for engagement:

• Quick tips and hooks: 7-15 seconds
• Tutorials and how-tos: 30-60 seconds
• In-depth content for existing audience: 1-3 minutes
• Extended content (limited discovery): 3-20 minutes

Technical specs for Reels:

• Aspect ratio: 9:16 (vertical) recommended, also supports 1:1 and 4:5
• Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels recommended
• File format: MP4 or MOV
• Maximum file size: 4GB

How Long Can Instagram Stories Videos Be? 60 Seconds Per Segment

Instagram Stories originally limited videos to 15 seconds, which frustrated creators trying to share longer content. The platform has since extended this to 60 seconds per story segment.

If your video exceeds 60 seconds, Instagram automatically splits it into multiple segments. Users will see your content continue across consecutive story slides without needing to tap through.

Stories disappear after 24 hours unless you save them to your Highlights, which display permanently on your profile below your bio.

Technical specs for Stories:

• Aspect ratio: 9:16 (vertical)
• Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels recommended
• File format: MP4, MOV, or GIF
• Maximum file size: 4GB
• Caption limit: 125 characters

Stories work best for time-sensitive content, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and interactive elements like polls and questions. For content you want to live permanently, consider posting to your feed or as a Reel instead.

How Long Can Instagram Feed Videos Be? Up to 60 Minutes

Regular feed videos (the ones that appear in your main profile grid) support the longest uploaded video content at up to 60 minutes.

When you upload a video longer than 60 seconds to your feed, Instagram shows a preview in users’ feeds with the option to continue watching. According to QuickFrame’s video guide, in-feed videos recorded directly in the app are limited to 90 seconds.

Many creators wonder whether they should post longer videos to their feed or break them into Reels. The answer depends on your content type and audience behavior. Feed videos are discoverable through your profile and hashtags, while Reels get pushed to the Explore page and Reels tab for broader discovery. If you’re building a content library that viewers can browse on-demand, feed videos make sense. If you want maximum reach to new audiences, Reels are the better choice.

Feed videos are great for:

• Evergreen content you want on your profile permanently
• Longer tutorials that don’t fit the Reels format
• Client testimonials and interviews
• Product demonstrations

Technical specs for Feed videos:

• Aspect ratio: 1:1, 4:5, 9:16, or 16:9 (portrait 9:16 or square 1:1 recommended)
• Resolution: 1080 pixels wide minimum
• File format: MP4, MOV, or GIF
• Maximum file size: 4GB
• Caption limit: 2,200 characters

Instagram Live: Up to 4 Hours

When you need real-time engagement with your audience, Instagram Live allows broadcasts of up to 4 hours.

This extended limit makes Instagram Live viable for:

• Full-length workshops and webinars
• Extended Q&A sessions
• Live interviews and conversations
• Product launches and events
• Gaming streams and watch parties

After your broadcast ends, you can save the replay to your profile where it will be accessible for 30 days. Instagram automatically places replays in your Reels tab for easy discovery.

Live also supports Live Rooms, where you can bring up to three additional guests into your broadcast. This is perfect for interviews, panels, or collaborative content.

Technical specs for Live:

• Aspect ratio: 9:16 (vertical)
• File format: MP4 or MOV after conversion
• Broadcast quality: Dependent on your internet connection

Instagram Video Ads: Up to 60 Minutes

If you’re running paid promotions, Instagram video ads support lengths up to 60 minutes, though the platform recommends much shorter content for advertising purposes.

Here’s the breakdown by ad placement:

• In-feed video ads: Up to 60 minutes (60 seconds or less recommended)
• Story ads: Under 30 seconds recommended (longer videos split into 15-second segments)
• Reels ads: 1-60 seconds

According to B2W’s Instagram guide, ads that grab attention within the first 3 seconds perform significantly better, regardless of total length.

Technical specs for video ads:

• Minimum resolution: 600 x 750 pixels
• Recommended aspect ratio: 4:5 for feed, 9:16 for Stories and Reels
• Maximum file size: 4GB
• Frame rate: Maximum 30fps
• Caption limit: 2,200 characters (125 recommended for visibility)

What Happens When Your Video Is Too Long?

If you try to upload a video that exceeds Instagram’s limits, you have several options:

Trim within Instagram. The app includes built-in trimming tools. While you’re uploading, select “trim” to adjust your video’s start and end points. This works for feed posts and Reels but isn’t available for Stories.

Use external editing software. For more control, edit your video in dedicated software before uploading. This lets you make precise cuts, add transitions, and maintain quality.

Create a carousel post. Instagram carousels support up to 10 slides, and each slide can contain a 60-second video. That’s potentially 10 minutes of content in a single swipeable post. According to B2W’s guide, carousel posts with multiple video segments often see strong engagement because they encourage users to swipe through.

Split into a series. Some content works better as multiple separate posts. A 10-minute tutorial could become a 5-part Reels series, with each part ending on a hook that drives viewers to the next installment.

Choosing the Right Video Length for Your Content

Understanding Instagram’s video limits is just the first step. The real question is which format and length best serves your specific content. Here’s how to decide:

Consider your content type:

• Quick tips and entertainment: 15-30 second Reels
• Tutorials and how-to content: 30-90 second Reels or 60-second Stories
• In-depth educational content: 1-3 minute Reels or carousel videos
• Interviews and discussions: Feed videos or Instagram Live
• Real-time engagement: Instagram Live up to 4 hours

Consider your audience behavior: Your audience’s viewing habits should influence your video length choices. Check your Instagram Insights to see how long viewers watch your videos on average. If most viewers drop off after 30 seconds, that’s a sign to keep content shorter. If retention stays high through longer videos, you have room to expand.

Consider the platform’s algorithm: Instagram rewards videos that viewers watch to completion. A 15-second video with 90% completion rate often outperforms a 3-minute video with 20% completion. The platform interprets full watches as a signal of quality content worth showing to more users.

Consider your posting consistency: Longer videos take more time to create. If choosing between one 10-minute video per month or ten 1-minute videos, the latter often builds more momentum. Consistent posting typically outperforms sporadic longer content when it comes to growing your Instagram presence.

Best Practices for Instagram Video Length

Knowing the maximum limits is different from knowing the optimal lengths. Here’s what actually performs well:

Reels: 7-30 seconds for discovery, 30-90 seconds for tutorials. Instagram’s algorithm favors content that holds attention through completion. A 15-second video watched to the end signals engagement more strongly than a 3-minute video abandoned after 30 seconds.

Stories: 15-30 seconds per segment. Even though you can post 60-second story segments, shorter clips with quick cuts maintain attention better. Use the additional length when you need it, but don’t feel obligated to fill the time.

Feed posts: Match length to content value. A talking-head video probably shouldn’t run 60 minutes. But a comprehensive product demonstration or behind-the-scenes documentary might justify longer runtime. Let the content dictate the length, not the other way around.

Live: At least 10-15 minutes. Live broadcasts need time to attract viewers who weren’t watching from the start. Shorter Lives often end before your audience even gets notifications. Plan for at least 15-20 minutes of content to give people time to join.

Planning Your Video Content

Understanding video length limits helps you plan content more strategically. When you know a Reel can run up to 20 minutes, you might approach a tutorial differently than when you thought the limit was 90 seconds.

For creators managing multiple video formats across Instagram, a content calendar becomes essential. You might plan to repurpose a single longer video into multiple formats:

• Extract a 30-second highlight for Reels
• Use the full version as a feed post
• Tease it in Stories with a link to the full video
• Discuss the topic in more depth on Live

If you’re looking to systematize your content planning, our guide on building a content calendar that works for creators breaks down a framework for staying consistent without burning out.

And if you’re cross-posting video content to multiple platforms like YouTube Shorts and TikTok, check out our guide on cross-posting Reels to YouTube Shorts to maximize your video content’s reach.

For creators who want to maintain a consistent presence without spending hours on content creation, understanding why cross-posting matters can help you get more mileage from every video you create.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long of a video can you post on Instagram Reels?

Instagram Reels can be up to 20 minutes long as of 2026. However, Reels over 3 minutes won’t be recommended to new audiences by Instagram’s algorithm. For maximum reach, keep Reels under 90 seconds.

What is the maximum video length for Instagram Stories?

Instagram Stories allow videos up to 60 seconds per segment. If you upload a longer video, Instagram automatically splits it into multiple story segments. Stories disappear after 24 hours unless saved to Highlights.

Can you post a 10-minute video on Instagram?

Yes, you can post a 10-minute video on Instagram. You can upload it as a Reel (up to 20 minutes), a feed video (up to 60 minutes), or split it across a carousel post (up to 10 slides with 60-second videos each).

How long can Instagram Live videos be?

Instagram Live broadcasts can last up to 4 hours. After ending your live stream, you can save the replay to your profile where it remains accessible for 30 days. Live replays appear in your Reels tab.

Why does Instagram cut off my video?

Instagram cuts off videos when they exceed the format’s maximum length. Reels have a 20-minute limit, Stories are capped at 60 seconds per segment, and feed videos max out at 60 minutes. Use Instagram’s built-in trim tool or edit your video before uploading.

What video length gets the most engagement on Instagram?

For Reels, videos between 7-30 seconds typically get the highest engagement because viewers watch them to completion. For educational content, 30-90 seconds performs well. The key is matching your video length to your content value rather than filling time unnecessarily.

Key Takeaways

Instagram video lengths vary significantly by format:

• Reels: Up to 20 minutes (3+ minutes have limited algorithm reach)
• Stories: 60 seconds per segment, auto-split for longer videos
• Feed videos: Up to 60 minutes
• Live: Up to 4 hours
• Video ads: Up to 60 minutes (shorter recommended)

The platform clearly favors short-form content for discovery while supporting longer content for established audiences. Match your video length to your goals: short and punchy for reaching new viewers, longer and in-depth for engaging existing followers.

For the latest official specifications, always check Instagram’s Help Center, as these limits can change with platform updates.