How Long Can a Video Be on Instagram? Complete Guide in 2025
Instagram is one of the most famous websites worldwide. Millions of users upload photos, reels, and videos every day. Videos have become a big part of Instagram. But if you are new, how long can a video be on Instagram?
Whether it’s a post, a story, a reel, or a live video, it will have different video lengths, which is why it doesn’t have a constant answer. In this blog, we will discuss everything you need to know regarding what Instagram video limits will be in 2025.
Why Video Is Important on Instagram
Before we discuss the video length, let’s first understand the importance of video power in Instagram.
Higher engagement: since videos have a greater number of likes, comments, and shares than photos.
Algorithm boost: Instagram offers more of a guarantee in terms of video promotion, be it in feeds or the explore section.
Full storytelling: Videos tell a whole story in less time.
Business growth: Videos do promote the products and services that companies manufacture for promotion.
Knowing the exact length of the video will assist in making much better content and reaching more people.
Instagram Feed Videos
Feed videos pop up right onto your Instagram profile and the home feeds of your followers.
- Minimum Time: 3 seconds
- Maximum Time: 10 Minutes
Most users can upload videos to Instagram, up to 10 minutes, but verified or big creator accounts can go for up to 60 minutes on the Instagram website.
Feed videos support portrait, landscape, and square formats. Recommended aspect ratios:
- Square: 1:1
- Portrait: 4:5
- Landscape: 16:9
Feed videos are ideal for giving a tutorial, presenting a product, or entertaining with clips.
Instagram Stories
One of the features most frequently used on Instagram is stories. These appear at the top of the app and vanish after 24 hours.
- Maximum length per story: 15 seconds
- You can publish several stories one after the other.
For instance, if you upload a video that is 1 minute long, then Instagram splits it automatically into four clips of 15 seconds each.
Stories are perfect for behind-the-scenes content, promotions, and quick updates. They tend to be short, engaging, and relaxed.
Instagram Reels
Reels are Instagram’s answer to TikTok: short, cheeky little snippets of enjoyment that invite viral propagation.
- Minimum time: 15 seconds
- Maximum length: 90 seconds
Reels are meant to be fast and attractive, and if you want to go viral through Instagram, then reels remain your best approach. Just use trending music and hashtags to make it go further.
Instagram Live Videos
Instagram Live allows an individual to have real-time interaction with their audience. It is excellent for Q&A sessions, interviews, or even product launches.
Maximum Length: 4 hours live at a time.
This has been a tremendous positive for everyone, as the last time the live session on Instagram could go only for a maximum of 1 hour, but now, it’s for 4 hours. Then, after the live ends, it can be saved and shared in your feed.
Instagram Video Ads
If they run ads on IG, video length also matters. Ads are shown in stories, reels, and feeds.
- Feed ads: Up to 60 seconds.
- Ads in the story: Up to 15 seconds per story.
- Reels ads: Up to 30 seconds.
For good output, always keep your ads short and clear. Because users scroll fast, you need to catch their attention in the first few seconds.
Quick Overview: Instagram Video Lengths in 2025
Here’s a simple table to help you remember:
Tips for Creating Perfect Instagram Videos
Now, you already know how long a video can be on Instagram; here are some tricks to get your videos to do better:
- Hook viewers in the initial three seconds – hold attention straight away.
- Add captions – many watch without sound.
- Post in HD quality – blurry videos will disengage viewers.
- Keep it short – no matter how long you can post a video, shorter seems to perform better than longer.
- Follow trends – use trending music, challenges, and hashtags.
- Add CTAs – Tell users to like, follow, or visit your site.
- Test formats – Play around with reels, stories, and feed videos to see what works best.
FAQs About Instagram Video Length
How long can a reel be on Instagram?
Up to 90 seconds.
How long can Instagram stories be?
Each story is 15 seconds, but you can upload multiple.
Can I upload a 30-minute video on Instagram?
Yes, but only if you have a large or verified account. Otherwise, the limit is 10 minutes.
How long does Instagram Live last?
Up to 4 hours in one sitting.
What’s the ideal video length for engagement?
Short videos (under 1 minute) are usually better performing.
Final Thoughts
Instagram allows a lot of flexibility concerning video formats: feed posts, stories, reels, lives, etc. Each has its specific limits, and if you know them, spatial mapping can be done perfectly in terms of your videos.
- Short stories (15 seconds).
- Quick reels (90 seconds).
- Longer feed videos (10 minutes).
- Lives can run for hours (4 hours maximum).
So, how long can a video be on Instagram? Well, it depends on what type of content you have. Use this guide to create videos that fit just right within the rules of Instagram.
Video is the future of social media. Therefore, use every video format you can today to create and grow.
Here’s the plan: combine reels for reach, stories for engagement, and lives for connection.
Your audience is waiting. Create, post, and grow on Instagram with the right video length.
