How Long Can Instagram Reels Be? Length, Size and Limits (2026)

How Long Can an Instagram Reel Be? Quick Answer

Most accounts can now post Instagram Reels up to 20 minutes long, whether recorded in the Reels camera or uploaded from the camera roll. There is an important catch: Reels longer than 3 minutes are not recommended to people who do not follow you. They still appear for your followers, but they will not be pushed to new audiences in Reels and Explore.

If you want a Reel to reach new people, keep it at 3 minutes or less. Use the longer limit for tutorials, talks or content made mainly for your existing followers.

Instagram Video Length Limits at a Glance

Since 2022, almost every video you post to the feed is published as a Reel, so "how long can an Instagram video be" and "how long can a Reel be" now have the same answer.

Why the 3-Minute Mark Still Matters

Instagram decides how far a Reel travels separately from how long it is allowed to be. Its guidance for longer Reels is clear: Reels over 3 minutes are not recommended to new audiences.

In practice, this means a 5-minute Reel can still do well with your followers, but it will not be shown to strangers in the Reels tab or Explore. If growth is the goal, cut the video into a sub-3-minute Reel and link to the full version, or post a series of shorter parts.

How the Instagram Reel Length Limit Has Changed

Reels launched in 2020 with a 15-second limit, which grew to 30 seconds, then 60 seconds and, in 2022, 90 seconds. In January 2025, Instagram raised the limit to 3 minutes, and in late 2025 it extended the Reels camera and uploads to 20 minutes.

Each change made Reels more flexible, but the recommendation rule above means the most-watched Reels are still short. Treat the 20-minute limit as room for longer formats, not as a target.

What Is the Best Length for an Instagram Reel?

For reach: aim for something people will watch to the end. For most topics that is well under a minute; quick tips, before-and-after clips and humor often work best at 7 to 30 seconds.

For tutorials and stories: 1 to 3 minutes gives you room to explain, while still qualifying for recommendations.

For your followers only: longer Reels up to 20 minutes suit interviews, full recipes, workshops or event recaps.

Whatever the length, the first 2 to 3 seconds matter most. Start with the result, the question or the most surprising moment, and add captions because many people watch without sound.

Instagram Reel Size and Dimensions

Keep captions, faces and text away from the bottom of the frame, where Instagram shows your username, caption and buttons, and away from the right edge, where the like and comment icons sit.

On your profile grid, Reels are shown as a cropped vertical rectangle, so place the key part of your cover image in the center. Our Instagram Story size guide explains safe zones in more detail; Stories and Reels share the same 9:16 frame.

How to Post a Longer Reel

1. Update Instagram.

   Longer Reels need a recent version of the app.

2. Open the Reels camera.

   Tap + and choose Reel.

3. Record or upload.

   Record one or more clips, or pick a video from your camera roll. The length selector or timeline shows how much time you have.

4. Trim if needed.

   Use the editor to trim the start and end, so viewers get to the point quickly.

5. Add a cover and caption, then share.

   Choose a clear cover frame and write a caption that tells people why the video is worth watching to the end.

What Are Trial Reels on Instagram?

Trial Reels let you test a Reel with people who do not follow you before your followers see it. Turn on the Trial toggle before sharing a Reel. It is shown to non-followers only, it does not appear on your profile grid, and you can check its insights after about 24 hours.

If a Trial Reel performs well, you can share it with your followers manually, or let Instagram share it automatically after 72 hours. Because Trial Reels are about discovery, keep them under 3 minutes. The feature is available to eligible professional accounts.

Why Can't I Post a Longer Reel?

Old app version. Update Instagram from the App Store or Google Play and restart it.

Gradual rollout. New limits reach accounts and countries at different times. If the option is missing, it may not be available to your account yet.

Large file or weak connection. Long, high-bitrate files can fail to upload. Export at 1080 x 1920 and 30 fps, and upload on a stable Wi-Fi connection.

Unsupported file. Convert unusual formats to MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio.

Want to keep a copy of a public Reel? The ReelDown Instagram Reels Downloader saves public Reels as MP4 files.