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How long can Instagram videos and Reels be?

Reels run up to 20 minutes in the app, but Instagram only recommends Reels under 3 minutes to new audiences. Scheduled Reels can be up to 15 minutes, Story clips 60 seconds.

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Checked on against 9 sources.

Drag to your video's length and see where it fits

Drag to see which formats take it.
0:50
Reel (app)
Fits
Reel (scheduled)
Fits
Story clip
Fits
Reel to boost
Fits
Live
Fits
1s15s1m3m15m1h4h
AllowedLength most studies point to
The short answer

Reels: up to 20 minutes. Keep them under 3 to reach new people.

In the Instagram app you can record and post Reels of up to 20 minutes. Instagram's Help Center adds that Reels over 3 minutes "won't be recommended to new audiences", so longer Reels mostly reach your followers.

Scheduled Reels go through Meta's API, which takes 3 seconds to 15 minutes and files up to 300 MB. Stories take 60 seconds per clip, and Live runs up to 4 hours. Instagram gives no ideal length; in one 2026 study of about 6 million brand Reels, 45 to 60 seconds did best.

Reels
20 min
15 min when scheduled
Reach new people
Under 3 min
Longer Reels stay with followers
Story clip
60 sec
Longer videos split into clips
Every format

Every Instagram video length in one table. In the app and when scheduled.

Maximum and minimum video lengths for Instagram Reels, Stories, Live and carousels, in the app and through Meta's publishing API, October 2026
FormatLongestShortestNotes
Reel (app)20 minutesNot publishedOver 3 minutes: not recommended to new audiences
Reel (scheduled, API)15 minutes3 secondsMP4 or MOV, up to 300 MB, 23 to 60 fps
Story clip60 seconds3 seconds via the APILonger videos split into clips; API files up to 100 MB
Live4 hoursNonePublic account with 1,000+ followers
Video in a carouselNot publishedNot publishedNot a Reel; not shown in the Reels tab
Reel to boost90 secondsNoneMust be 9:16
From Instagram's Help Center and Meta's content publishing reference, read on October 17, 2026. Since July 2022, new feed videos post as Reels.
Best length

Which Reel length performs best? One 2026 study of about 6 million brand Reels.

Average engagement rate of Instagram Reels by length, from Socialinsider's 2026 study of about 6 million brand Reels
Reel lengthEngagement rate
0 to 30 seconds0.28%
30 to 45 seconds0.30%
45 to 60 seconds0.35%
60 to 90 seconds0.30%
90 to 120 seconds0.30%
2 to 3 minutes0.33%
Over 3 minutes0.15%
Socialinsider, January to June 2026. Median views were also highest at 45 to 60 seconds (10,374) and lowest past 3 minutes (4,428). Vendor data; Instagram publishes no ideal length.
What changed

What changed for video length. Longer Reels, same 3-minute line.

  1. Nov 2025

    20-minute Reels

    Instagram's Reels camera now records and edits up to 20 minutes, and the Help Center lists 20 minutes as the limit. It may not be on every account yet. Source

  2. Jan 2025

    3-minute Reels get recommended

    Reels up to 3 minutes became eligible for recommendations, up from 90 seconds. Over 3 minutes still are not shown to new audiences. Source

  3. Dec 2024

    Trial reels

    Trial reels go to non-followers first, so you can test a length before your followers see it. Source

  4. Jul 2022

    Feed videos became Reels

    New video posts are shared as Reels. Videos inside carousels stay plain videos. Source

Tips

Pick the right length. Reach first, then depth.

  1. Stay under 3 minutes for reach

    Instagram does not recommend Reels over 3 minutes to new audiences. Make discovery Reels shorter.

  2. Aim for 45 to 60 seconds

    It did best for engagement and views in Socialinsider's 2026 data. Very short Reels did not win there.

  3. Use long Reels for followers

    Tutorials and talks past 3 minutes work for people who already follow you. Expect less reach from strangers.

  4. Schedule up to 15 minutes

    Meta's API, which every scheduler uses, stops at 15 minutes and 300 MB. Post anything longer from the app.

  5. Shoot 1080 × 1920 at 30 fps or more

    Instagram asks for at least 720 px and 30 fps. Turn on Upload at highest quality in Media quality settings.

  6. Keep boost candidates under 90 seconds

    Only 9:16 Reels of 90 seconds or less can be boosted as ads.

Other platforms

The same guide for every network. Each one has its own rules.

Sources

How we built this guide. Checked on October 17, 2026.

The limits come from Instagram's Help Center and Meta's content publishing reference, read on October 17, 2026. Instagram publishes no ideal length, so the performance table uses Socialinsider's 2026 study and labels it as vendor data. The 4-hour Live limit dates from Instagram's 2020 announcement; the current Help Center states no length.

  1. Instagram Help Center: Record a reel on InstagramRead Oct 2026
  2. Instagram Help Center: Reel size and aspect ratios on InstagramRead Oct 2026
  3. Instagram Help Center: Share a photo or video to your Instagram storyRead Oct 2026
  4. Instagram Help Center: Start a live video on InstagramRead Oct 2026
  5. Meta for Developers: IG User Media reference (content publishing specs)Read Oct 2026
  6. Instagram Help Center: Boost an Instagram reelRead Oct 2026
  7. Socialinsider: Instagram Reels length studyJul 2026About 6 million brand Reels, January to June 2026.
  8. Instagram for Creators: Finding success on reels in 2025Jan 21, 2025
  9. TechCrunch: Instagram extends time limits on live streams to 4 hoursOct 27, 2020
Something out of date? Tell us.

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