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Every platform on social media has a limit for uploading photos and videos. In this blog, I’ll specifically tell you about Instagram video length limits.
Now, video length on Instagram can be different depending on what feature you’re using. Your video length on the Instagram story is different from feed posts or reels. Let’s start and check out every single one of them.
How Long Can a Video Be on Instagram?
According to HubSpot, videos sparking the most comments (a key engagement metric) clocked in at a sweet spot of 25-30 seconds. In fact, videos landing exactly at 26 seconds received the highest comment rate.
We all know comments and shares are like gold for the Instagram algorithm. So, shorter, high-engagement videos seem to be the key.
But hold on! While 25-30 seconds is a great starting point, the ideal video length for your specific Instagram page might differ.
The maximum length of a video on Instagram depends on where you post it. But here is a summary of it:
- In-feed video: Up to 60 minutes
- Story: Up to 60 seconds
- Reels: Up to 90 seconds
- DM: Up to 15 seconds
- Live video: Up to 4 hours
Note: In 2021, Instagram stopped offering IGTV.
The maximum video length on the Instagram story is 60 seconds. This means your entire video clip cannot exceed one minute.
Previously, if your video was longer than 60 seconds, Instagram would automatically chop it into 15-second segments. However, Instagram’s update in late 2022 gave users more flexibility:
- If your video is 60 seconds or below, it will appear as a single clip in your story.
- If your video is longer than 60 seconds, you’ll need to trim it down before uploading it to your story.
Here’s a breakdown of the current situation:
- Maximum video length on Instagram: 60 seconds
- Videos exceeding 60 seconds: Need to be trimmed before uploading
- Automatic splitting: No longer happens
Instagram Post Video Length Limit
There are actually two things to consider here:
- Regular Instagram In-feed Video Length: The single video you post on your main profile grid.
- Instagram Carousel Video length: This is a carousel post where you can include multiple photos and videos together.
Here’s a breakdown of the length limits for each:
Regular Instagram Feed Video:
- Maximum length: 60 minutes
- Minimum length: 3 seconds
Carousel Video Length on Instagram:
- Each video within the carousel can be up to 60 minutes long.
- There’s no set limit on the total number of videos you can include in a carousel, but it gets less user-friendly to swipe through a super long carousel.
💡Note: Technically you can upload an hour-long video to your feed, but nowadays people don’t have time to watch an hour-long video on Instagram. They prefer short and engaging videos. Sometimes, even a minute-long video can be frustrating for Gen Z!
Also for carousel posts, keep in mind that only the first video will play automatically. Users will need to swipe to view the other videos. So make the first video the most attention-grabbing.
Instagram Reels Video Length Limit
The maximum length for an Instagram Reel video depends on how you create the Reel:
- Using the Instagram Camera: If you record and create your Reel directly with Instagram’s camera, the instagram max video length for reels is currently 90 seconds.
- Uploading Pre-Recorded Videos: You can also upload pre-recorded videos as Reels. In this case, there are two possibilities:
- Videos shorter than 15 minutes: These will be uploaded and playable as a single Reel.
- Videos longer than 15 minutes: Instagram will not allow you to upload videos exceeding 15 minutes as Reels.
Here’s a summary table of Instagram reel length for better understanding:
| Reel Creation Method | Maximum Length |
| Recording with Instagram Camera | 90 seconds |
| Uploading Pre-Recorded Video | Less than 15 minutes (becomes a single Reel) |
| Uploading Pre-Recorded Video | More than 15 minutes (not allowed for Reels) |
Instagram Live Video Length
Instagram live videos can be very long. The maximum length for an Instagram live video is 4 hours. There is no minimum length requirement for an Instagram live video. You can go live for a few minutes or the entire four hours.
Instagram Video Length Limit DM
The maximum video length for Instagram messages is 15 seconds. If your video is longer than 15 seconds, you won’t be able to upload it directly to a DM.
Even if you record a video with your phone and not IG’s camera, you can’t send a video longer than 15 seconds on Instagram DM. here’s what you can do:
- Trim the video
- Send the video in multiple parts.
- Use a different platform
How to Post a Video Longer Than 60 Minutes On Instagram?
You can’t directly upload a video longer than 60 minutes, but there are some things you can do to fix it.
1- Break down the video into parts:
Create multiple shorter videos (ideally under 10 minutes) that tell a cohesive story. You can post these as separate in-feed posts or consider creating a carousel.
2- Use a different platform and share the link:
If your video is much longer and needs an in-depth explanation, upload your video to YouTube or Vimeo and then share the link in a regular Instagram post or story.
You May Also Like to Read: How to Share Videos from YouTube to Instagram
Instagram Video Size
Now that we’ve checked out the Instagram video length limit, it’s not bad to know the size of each video too.
Instagram video size depends on whether you’re posting to your feed, Reels, or Stories. Here’s a breakdown:
In-feed Video:
- Recommended aspect ratio:
- Square (1:1)
- Portrait (9:16)
- Minimum dimensions: Not specified, but ensure it’s large enough for good quality on most devices.
- Maximum video size: 4 GB
- Recommended resolution:
- At least 720p (1280 x 720 pixels)
- Up to 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels) is ideal
Instagram Reels:
- Recommended aspect ratio: 9:16 (portrait)
- Minimum frame rate: 30 FPS (frames per second)
- Minimum resolution: 720 pixels
- Maximum video size: 4 GB
- Maximum video length: 90 seconds (when recording in Instagram camera)
Instagram Stories:
- Recommended aspect ratio: 9:16 (portrait)
- Minimum dimensions: Not specified, but ensure it’s large enough for good quality on most devices.
- Maximum video size: 4 GB
- Maximum video length: Up to 60 seconds (can be split into multiple 15-second segments)
Read More: Instagram Story Size [The Ultimate Guide]
Conclusion
So that’s everything you need to know about Instagram video length. Simple, right?
Take the information above, make your videos the best length possible, post when your followers are online, and you’ll see your post engagement and follower count boom.
Have any other tips or nuggets of wisdom you’d like to share about video length on Instagram? Drop me a comment below.
FAQs On Instagram Video Length
Now, let’s answer some frequently asked questions on this subject:
Q1- How Long Can A Video Be On IGTV?
Instagram actually stopped offering IGTV in 2021. Instead, they’ve shifted their focus to in-feed videos, which can now be up to 60 minutes long.
Q2- Can I Post a 3-Minute Video on Instagram?
Yes, you can! Instagram in-feed posts allow videos between 3 seconds and 60 minutes long. So, your 3-minute video would fit perfectly within this format.
Q3- What Is The Maximum Length Of A Video Post On Instagram?
The maximum length of a video post on Instagram depends on where you choose to share it:
In-feed post: Up to 60 minutes
Story: Up to 60 seconds (1 minute)
Reels: Up to 90 seconds
Q4- Can I Make a Reel Longer Than 90 Seconds?
Not directly. When creating a Reel with the Instagram camera, the current maximum length is 90 seconds. Uploading pre-recorded videos allows for a bit more flexibility:
Videos shorter than 15 minutes can be uploaded as a single Reel.
Videos exceeding 15 minutes cannot be uploaded as Reels.
Q5- Can An Instagram Reel Be 3 Minutes?
No, an Instagram Reel cannot be 3 minutes long. The maximum duration for Reels is 90 seconds.
Q6- How To Increase Instagram Reel Time Limit?
You can pre-record your reel (not with Instagram’s camera) and post up to 15-minute reels.
Q7- How To Post Long Videos On Instagram
For Posting videos longer than 90 seconds, you need to post them as a feed video. Follow these steps:
Tap the “+” button on the main screen.
Select “Post.”
Choose your video from your camera roll.
Edit it with filters, captions, and other tools (optional).
Add a caption, tags, and other details.
Share your post!
