# How long can Instagram videos and Reels be?

> Reels run up to 20 minutes, but only Reels under 3 minutes get recommended to new viewers. Stories take 60 seconds per clip, Live up to 4 hours.

Page: https://omnisocials.com/instagram-video-lengths
Checked: October 17, 2026

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.

## 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)

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

| Format | Shortest | Longest | Length most studies point to | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reel (app) | 0:01 | 20:00 | 0:45 to 1:00 | Up to 20 minutes. Over 3 minutes, Instagram does not recommend it to new audiences. |
| Reel (scheduled) | 0:03 | 15:00 | 0:45 to 1:00 | Through Meta's API, as every scheduler posts: 3 seconds to 15 minutes, up to 300 MB. |
| Story clip | 0:01 | 1:00 |  | 60 seconds per clip. The app splits longer videos; the API takes 3 to 60 seconds. |
| Reel to boost | 0:01 | 1:30 |  | To boost a Reel as an ad, it must be 90 seconds or less and 9:16. |
| Live | 0:01 | 4:00:00 |  | Up to 4 hours (Instagram, 2020). Needs a public account with 1,000+ followers. |

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

| Format | Longest | Shortest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reel (app) | 20 minutes | Not published | Over 3 minutes: not recommended to new audiences |
| Reel (scheduled, API) | 15 minutes | 3 seconds | MP4 or MOV, up to 300 MB, 23 to 60 fps |
| Story clip | 60 seconds | 3 seconds via the API | Longer videos split into clips; API files up to 100 MB |
| Live | 4 hours | None | Public account with 1,000+ followers |
| Video in a carousel | Not published | Not published | Not a Reel; not shown in the Reels tab |
| Reel to boost | 90 seconds | None | Must 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.

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

| Reel length | Engagement rate |
|---|---|
| 0 to 30 seconds | 0.28% |
| 30 to 45 seconds | 0.30% |
| 45 to 60 seconds | 0.35% |
| 60 to 90 seconds | 0.30% |
| 90 to 120 seconds | 0.30% |
| 2 to 3 minutes | 0.33% |
| Over 3 minutes | 0.15% |

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

- **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. (https://help.instagram.com/2720958398006062)
- **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. (https://creators.instagram.com/blog/the-latest-with-instagram)
- **Dec 2024: Trial reels** Trial reels go to non-followers first, so you can test a length before your followers see it. (https://creators.instagram.com/blog/instagram-trial-reels)
- **Jul 2022: Feed videos became Reels** New video posts are shared as Reels. Videos inside carousels stay plain videos. (https://techcrunch.com/2022/07/21/instagram-video-posts-shorter-than-15-minutes-now-shared-reels/)

## 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.

## Schedule it with OmniSocials

Schedule Reels up to 15 minutes, with a cover, a first comment and trial reels. OmniSocials schedules posts to Instagram and 11 more networks from one calendar, and AI agents (Claude, ChatGPT and others) can plan and schedule through its MCP server. $10 per seat a month billed yearly, $12 monthly; 14-day free trial, a card is needed to start it. https://omnisocials.com/pricing

## Sources and method

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.

- Instagram Help Center, [Record a reel on Instagram](https://help.instagram.com/2720958398006062), Read Oct 2026
- Instagram Help Center, [Reel size and aspect ratios on Instagram](https://help.instagram.com/1038071743007909), Read Oct 2026
- Instagram Help Center, [Share a photo or video to your Instagram story](https://help.instagram.com/1257341144298972), Read Oct 2026
- Instagram Help Center, [Start a live video on Instagram](https://help.instagram.com/292478487812558), Read Oct 2026
- Meta for Developers, [IG User Media reference (content publishing specs)](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/instagram-platform/instagram-graph-api/reference/ig-user/media), Read Oct 2026
- Instagram Help Center, [Boost an Instagram reel](https://help.instagram.com/570215404599013), Read Oct 2026
- Socialinsider, [Instagram Reels length study](https://socialinsider.io/blog/instagram-reels-length/), Jul 2026. About 6 million brand Reels, January to June 2026.
- Instagram for Creators, [Finding success on reels in 2025](https://creators.instagram.com/blog/the-latest-with-instagram), Jan 21, 2025
- TechCrunch, [Instagram extends time limits on live streams to 4 hours](https://techcrunch.com/2020/10/27/instagram-extends-time-limits-on-live-streams-to-4-hours-will-soon-support-archiving/), Oct 27, 2020

## Related guides

- [Best time to post on Instagram](https://omnisocials.com/best-time-to-post-on-instagram)
- [How often to post on Instagram](https://omnisocials.com/how-often-to-post-on-instagram)
- [Instagram image sizes](https://omnisocials.com/instagram-image-sizes)
- [Instagram character limits](https://omnisocials.com/instagram-character-limits)
- [Instagram hashtag limits](https://omnisocials.com/instagram-hashtag-limits)
- [Connect Instagram](https://omnisocials.com/help-center/integrations/instagram)
- [Create a post](https://omnisocials.com/help-center/creating-content/create-post)
- [Schedule posts](https://omnisocials.com/help-center/creating-content/scheduling)
- [Instagram API](https://omnisocials.com/instagram-api)
- [Instagram MCP server](https://omnisocials.com/instagram-mcp)
- [API reference](https://docs.omnisocials.com/platforms/instagram)

## FAQ

### How long can an Instagram Reel be?

Up to 20 minutes in the app, per Instagram's Help Center. Some accounts may not have it yet. Reels you schedule through the API can be up to 15 minutes.

### Can I post a 3 minute Reel on Instagram?

Yes. Reels up to 3 minutes can still be recommended to new audiences. Past 3 minutes, Instagram shows them mostly to your followers.

### Can I post a 10 minute video on Instagram Reels?

Yes, Reels take up to 20 minutes in the app and 15 minutes when scheduled. A 10-minute Reel will mostly reach your followers, because Reels over 3 minutes are not recommended to new audiences.

### How long can an Instagram Story be?

Each Story clip runs up to 60 seconds. If you upload a longer video in the app, Instagram splits it into several clips. Through the API, a Story video takes 3 to 60 seconds.

### Can a Story be longer than a minute?

Not as one clip. The app cuts longer videos into 60-second clips that play one after another.

### What is the best length for an Instagram Reel?

Instagram gives no number. In Socialinsider's 2026 study of about 6 million brand Reels, 45 to 60 seconds had the best engagement and views, and Reels over 3 minutes did worst.

### How long can Instagram Live last?

Up to 4 hours, per Instagram's 2020 announcement. You need a public account with at least 1,000 followers to go live.

### Can I still post a normal video to my feed?

Since July 2022, new video posts are shared as Reels. Videos inside a carousel stay plain videos and do not show in the Reels tab.

### What is the best aspect ratio for Instagram videos?

9:16 at 1080 × 1920 for Reels and Stories. Instagram accepts Reels from 1.91:1 to 9:16 and asks for at least 720 px and 30 fps.

### Can OmniSocials schedule long Reels?

Yes, up to 15 minutes, which is the most Meta's API allows. Story videos go up to 60 seconds. OmniSocials checks the length before a post is scheduled.