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Instagram Video Length A Guide for Posts, Stories, and Reels

Instagram Video Length: A Guide for Posts, Stories, and Reels

Written by Rishabh Pugalia
Written by Rishabh Pugalia

Rishabh leads the content strategy at Content Beta, a creative video and design agency for Tech & SaaS companies.

In today’s digital age, marketing your products and services on social media is very important. Among several platforms available, Instagram stands out prominently for sharing captivating photos and engaging videos.

While instagram has always been a static post focused platform, it has recently shifted its focus towards short video posts.

However, navigating the world of Instagram posts and videos can be quite confusing, especially when it comes to understanding the ideal Instagram video length for different types of posts.

In this guide, we will look at the recommended Instagram video lengths for videos, stories, reels, and ads.

Table of Contents

Instagram Video Length Limit

Instagram offers various types of post options for sharing videos. Each of these have a specific maximum video length.

There are five different kinds of video formats that Instagram provides. The following are their maximum video lengths:

  1. Instagram In feed video: Up to 60 minutes
  2. Instagram Story: Up to 60 seconds
  3. Instagram Live: Up to 4 hours
  4. Instagram Reels: Up to 90 seconds
  5. Instagram Video Ads: Up to 120 seconds

Note – In case your videos are longer than the mentioned Instagram video lengths, then Instagram’s in-built trim feature will automatically trim it.

Instagram Video Post Length

An Instagram video post refers to a video that is uploaded and shared on the feed. It is visible in the posts section of the feed itself, next to the images. Attached below is an example:

Instagram’s in-feed video length ranges between 3 seconds to 60 minutes. For video posts on Instagram that exceed 60 seconds, a preview of the video will be shown in the feed.

Note:

  • Instagram video size is 1080 pixels x 1920 pixels
  • Aspect ratio is 9:16

To upload a video longer than 60 minutes on Instagram, you have two options:

  • trim the video using Instagram’s editing tools
  • upload it as a carousel post in segments.

These methods allow you to work within Instagram’s video length restrictions and still share your desired content with your audience.

Instagram Stories Video Length

Instagram Stories are a feature on the Instagram platform that allows users to share photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours.

The maximum Instagram story video length is 60 seconds. If a user adds a video to their Story that exceeds this limit, Instagram will automatically trim the video to fit within the 60-second timeframe.

Note:

  • ig story size is 1080 pixels x 1920 pixels
  • Aspect ratio is 9:16

Stories can also manually be added to the “highlights” section, wherein it does not disappear after 24 hours. Highlights are a collection of stories that users choose to display on their profile.

Instagram Reel Video Length

Instagram Reels is a tool on Instagram that lets users make and share short, vertical videos. It’s a way to create fun and creative clips within a short timeframe.

An Instagram Reel time limit is 90 seconds. Reels have a dedicated section on Instagram where you can find and scroll through trending videos. It can also be discovered on user profiles and within the Explore feed.

Note:

  • ig reel size is 1080 pixels x 1920 pixels
  • Aspect ratio is 9:16

Instagram Reel vs Story:

Instagram Reels Instagram Stories
Broader reach through Explore section Immediate and temporary updates (Visible for 24 hours)
Longer video length (up to 90 seconds) Intimate connection with existing followers
Creative editing tools Real-time engagement features (polls, questions)
Content repurposing Showcase spontaneous moments

IGTV Videos Length

IGTV stands for “Instagram TV”. It was a feature on Instagram that allowed users to share and watch longer-form videos.

However, Instagram has discontinued the standalone IGTV feature and shifted its focus towards video posts. It has integrated IGTV with in-feed videos, creating a unified Instagram Video feature. Users can now enjoy video content seamlessly in the Instagram feed, eliminating the need for a separate IGTV section.

Instagram Live Video Length & Time Limit

Instagram Live is a feature on Instagram that lets users share videos in real-time with their followers. It allows people to broadcast live videos and interact with their audience instantly.

The video length limit for Instagram Live is 4 hours. If the live video is longer than 15 minutes, you can share it on your profile after it has ended.

Instagram Video Ads Length

Instagram video ads are a form of advertising on the Instagram platform. They utilize video content to promote products, services, or brands. Instagram video ads are displayed within users’ feeds, stories, and explore pages in an organic format.

In-feed video ads can be between 3-120 seconds long.

Note:

  • Instagram video size is 1080 pixels x 1920 pixels
  • Aspect ratio is 9:16

Looking to expand your brand with Instagram Story ads?

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We provide transparent pricing, fast communication, quick turnaround, and efficient project management. Our real-time project tracking dashboard enhances the experience. Our team brings your ideas to life, ensuring they align with your brand and goals.

We recognize the importance of creating impactful Instagram video content that effectively communicates your brand message and engages your target audience. Our skilled professionals specialize in scriptwriting, filming, editing, and post-production for top-notch Instagram video content.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the ideal video lengths for Instagram posts, Stories, and Reels is essential for creating engaging content on this visual platform.

Videos are a powerful tool for showcasing your brand. The number of video posts on Instagram are progressively increasing. This highlights the effectiveness and popularity of using videos to engage with your audience on the platform.

By leveraging the power of video content on Instagram, you can enhance your brand presence, attract new followers, and foster meaningful connections with your audience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

To post a video on your Instagram feed, it should have a duration between 3 seconds and 1 hour. Videos shorter than 3 seconds or longer than 1 hour cannot be uploaded to your feed.

Additionally, here are the lengths of instagram reels, stories and Lives:

  • ig reel length is 90 seconds
  • ig stories length is 60 seconds
  • ig Live length is 4 hours

Maximum instagram stories length is 60 seconds for videos.

The maximum ig reels length for a video is now 90 seconds.

Yes, the video length limits on Instagram apply to all users regardless of their account size or verification status. The maximum video length for each type of content (feed posts, Stories, Reels) is the same for everyone.

The ideal video length for maximum engagement on Instagram varies, but shorter videos generally perform better.

Content Beta