How Long Can a Reel Be on Instagram?
Up to 20 minutes. Instagram’s Reels page says you can record and edit Reels of up to 20 minutes, and that “Reels over 3 minutes won’t be recommended to new audiences” (Instagram). So if you want a Reel to reach people who don’t follow you yet, keep it to 3 minutes or less (Instagram for Creators).
Instagram video limits at a glance
| Format | Maximum length |
|---|---|
| Reel recorded or edited in Instagram | 20 minutes |
| Reel that Instagram recommends to non-followers | 3 minutes |
| Story clip | 60 seconds |
| Clip recorded in the Edits app | 10 minutes |
Sources: Instagram, TechCrunch (Stories), App Store (Edits).
How to record or upload a long Reel
- Tap + and choose Reel.
- Record one clip or several. Together they can add up to 20 minutes, and the progress bar at the top shows how long you’ve recorded (Instagram).
- Or pick a video from your gallery, and shorten it with Trim if you need to.
- Add a caption and tap Share.
On a computer: Create > Post > Select from computer, trim, and share (Instagram).
The 20-minute camera reached some accounts before others (Inro), so update the app if yours stops earlier. For uploads from the camera roll, guides disagree: Buffer says up to 15 minutes, Kapwing up to 20 (Buffer, Kapwing).
How long should a Reel be?
Instagram doesn’t name an ideal length. It gives one line: Reels over 3 minutes aren’t recommended to new audiences. What it does measure is whether people keep watching. Reels insights include a View Rate, the share of viewers still watching after the first three seconds (TechCrunch). A strong opening and no dead time matter more than the exact number of seconds.
To test a longer or different Reel safely, use Trial reels: the Reel goes to non-followers first, you see the results after about 24 hours, and you can have it shared to your followers automatically if it does well within 72 hours (Meta). Ideas for what to film: Instagram Reels ideas.
How the limit grew
- August 2020: Reels launched with 15-second clips (Meta).
- September 2020: 30 seconds (TechCrunch).
- July 2021: 60 seconds (Social Media Today).
- June 2022: 90 seconds (TechCrunch).
- January 2025: 3 minutes. Adam Mosseri said 90 seconds had become “just too short” (Engadget).
- November 2025: the Reels camera records up to 20 minutes, while recommendations still stop at 3 minutes (Social Media Today).
The full story of the format is in when Instagram Reels came out.
FAQ
Can a Reel be longer than 3 minutes?
Yes, up to 20 minutes. Instagram won’t recommend it to people who don’t follow you, though.
How long can an Instagram Story video be?
Up to 60 seconds per clip.
Is there a minimum length?
Instagram doesn’t state one for the app. Apps that publish Reels through Meta’s API need at least 3 seconds (Meta for Developers).
Can I record a Reel without holding the button?
Yes, with the timer. See how to record hands-free on Instagram.