Are you wondering what is the ideal Instagram video length for a Reel or Story you are about to make?
With so many different types of videos available on Instagram, it can be challenging to determine the appropriate length for each one.
Fortunately, Instagram has specific guidelines for video length that can help you create engaging and effective content.
Whether you’re posting videos on your Instagram feed, stories, or Reels, there are specific length requirements that you need to follow.
Knowing these requirements can help you create videos that are more likely to be viewed, liked, and shared by your followers.
In this article, we’ll explore the different types of Instagram videos and their length requirements, so you can create videos that resonate with your audience.
Let’s explore the video length requirements for all types of Instagram videos.
What Are Available Video Types On Instagram In 2023?
In 2023, Instagram streamlined its video post features, leaving users with three main options: Reels, Stories, and Live.
Previously, Instagram had a separate app for IGTV, which was a mini-YouTube video feature, but it has since been shut down and removed from the main Instagram app.
The ability to create video feed posts beforehand is also no longer available.
Now, all video posts on Instagram are consolidated under the Instagram Video tab, where Reels and Videos can be found in one section of a user’s profile.
Reels have gained more recognition and proven to be effective in driving engagement for users, making them the new focus of Instagram’s video offerings.
As a result, it seems that Instagram is placing a lot of emphasis on Reels and investing in its continued growth and success.
Video Length For In-Feed Video Posts
In 2021, Instagram made a major change to its platform by introducing video posts to replace IGTV. Now, users can upload videos directly into their feed alongside their image posts using either the in-app camera or by selecting videos from their Photo Library.
The length of these videos can vary from a minimum of 3 seconds to a maximum of 60 minutes.
However, if a video exceeds 60 seconds, Instagram will play a preview in the feed, and viewers can opt to watch the full video on the user’s profile.
This new feature allows for greater flexibility in content creation and sharing, as users can now seamlessly incorporate videos into their Instagram feeds.
As you can see sharing long videos on Instagram can be a bit challenging due to the platform’s 60-minute limit.
However, there are some ways around it.
One option is to utilize the in-platform editor to trim the video, shortening it so that it falls within the time limit.
Another method is to upload the video in segments as a carousel post, where it’s split into multiple parts and displayed as a slideshow that users can swipe through.
This ensures that you can still share your longer video content with your followers while adhering to Instagram’s requirements.
Instagram Stories Length
Instagram Stories are a popular way to share short videos on the platform. Stories are temporary and automatically disappear after 24 hours.
Alternatively, users can choose to save their Stories to a highlight reel, where they can be viewed by visitors to their profile at any time.
Each Story can be up to 15 seconds long, but users can share up to 4 Stories at a time. This means that the maximum video length of a Story is 60 seconds.
Instagram Reels Can Last Up To 90 Seconds
Instagram’s Reels is the platform’s newest video format, taking inspiration from the viral sensation that is TikTok. This format allows users to create short, snappy videos that can be captured with Instagram’s built-in camera or uploaded from their Photo Library.
When creating a Reel, users can take advantage of a variety of recording effects, including timed text, augmented reality filters, green screen mode, timer and speed controls, and access to an audio library to add music to their videos. These features enable creators to produce professional-looking content with ease.
The length of an Instagram Reel can range from 15 to 90 seconds long, giving users ample time to showcase their creativity and personality.
Record up to 4 Hours of Live
Instagram Live is a powerful tool that allows users to stream live videos directly to their followers’ feeds.
When an account goes live, they are featured prominently at the front of the Stories bar with a Live icon, making it easy for the audience to tune in and engage with the content in real time.
One or two accounts can host a live stream, making it a great way for businesses, influencers, or even friends to connect and interact with their audience or followers.
Once the live stream is over, the video can be shared for up to 30 days before it is deleted, allowing viewers to catch up on any missed content.
Instagram has extended the maximum length of a live stream from 1 hour to 4 hours, giving users even more flexibility to create engaging and informative content.
Instagram Ads Length
When it comes to advertising on Instagram, there are a few video ad placements available to choose from.
Story ads, allow users to share up to 10 cards with a total of 150 seconds of video content.
However, only the first 3 cards will be displayed in the normal Instagram Story feed, and viewers must opt in to watch more with a tap.
Reel ads can last up to 30 seconds.
Finally, Feed video ads offer the longest duration of up to 60 minutes, according to Facebook.
Instagram Video Length Hacks
If you have an existing video that exceeds the length limit on Instagram but you really want to post it, then you have the opportunity to trim the video to fit the limit.
Here are some Instagram length hacks to help you get around the time limit:
- Trimming your video: You can use a video editing app to trim your video to fit the Instagram video length limit. This will help you to remove any unnecessary footage and keep only the important parts of your video.
- Speed up your video: Another Instagram video length hack is to speed up your video. This will help you to fit more content into a shorter amount of time. You can speed up your video using a video editing app.
- Split your video: If your video is longer than the Instagram video length limit, you can split it into multiple parts. This will help you to use the carousel post and share the entire video in multiple parts and keep your audience engaged.
Wrap-Up
Understanding Instagram video length requirements can help you create engaging content that resonates with your audience.
Whether you’re creating a video for your feed, story, or Reel, it’s important to keep in mind the length limitations and best practices.
In 2023, Instagram streamlined its video post features, leaving users with three main options: Reels, Stories, and Live.
In-feed video posts can be a minimum of 3 seconds and a maximum of 60 minutes, while stories are limited to 15 seconds per video and a maximum of 60 seconds for up to four stories.
Instagram Reels can range from 15 to 90 seconds long, and Live can last up to 4 hours.
Instagram ads have different video ad placements with specific length requirements.
In cases where an existing video exceeds the length limit, users can trim the video or upload it in segments as a carousel post.
