Content creators and social media managers know how much of a challenge it can be to stand out on Instagram today. We are often asked how long can an Instagram video be, which is something anyone needs to consider to capture their target audience and ensure followers keep coming back for more. Today we’re going to share a complete guide to Instagram video length options and the best methods for getting the perfect Instagram story length in the future. Here at Vizard, we are excited to support content creators in making videos that will attract new followers and help you to go viral.
How Long Can An Instagram Video Be?
When looking at the question of how long can Instagram videos be, you’ll need to keep in mind that this answer will vary based on whether you are uploading Reels, Stories, Ads, or another type of video content. Instagram has different length options based on the content you are uploading, which you’ll need to remember in order to make your video the right length. Remember, just because there is a maximum length of video, you don’t always need to use this full length. Sometimes, a shorter Instagram video length might be all you need to expand your presence online. The length of Instagram videos will also depends on the type of Instagram video content that you post. Here is a quick cheat sheet on the maximum video length for Instagram videos:
Instagram Feed Videos
When it comes to Instagram videos, the main type of video that content creators often focus on are those which appear in their main feed. These videos can be three seconds to 60 minutes in total. These are the videos that appear under the video tab in your profile. It’s a good length of time to discuss topics in-depth or to cut down a conference call or virtual event to share highlights online.
The minimum length of a video is just three seconds, but most content creators typically go for a bit longer unless it’s a promotion or teaser for an upcoming video. If you do have a longer video, you can either edit it down before uploading or create a carousel post that allows you to upload it in segments to get around this time restriction. You could consider creating a series of posts on one topic or using a video editor to make the content more manageable to upload. Viewers see a 60-second preview, which allows them to decide if they want to click through and view the rest of the content.
Instagram Reels Length
Instagram Reels are a good option for anyone who enjoys making TikTok content. If you are wondering how long are Instagram Reels, these vertical clips last between 15 and 60 seconds each, so they are a type of short-form content that you can add music or sound effects to. Instagram Reels are ideal for content creators who are looking to make a quick impact on their audience without diving too deep into a topic. Now you know the answer to the question of how long can a Reel be, make sure you don’t create too much content to edit when uploading this type of video to Instagram.
How Long Can Instagram Stories Be?
Instagram stories are one of the first things people notice when they open the app. These stories are posted on Instagram profiles and stay on the site for only 24 hours. Each individual story can be up to 15 seconds in length. If you need to split a video that’s longer up into smaller sections, you can post multiple stories at one time. Once you’ve uploaded a Story, you can then save it to your highlight reel on your profile. This allows people to re-watch it at any time, even once it’s been removed from your Stories.
Instagram Live
Connecting with your audience on a deeper level can be challenging online today, which you can see from the answer to how long can Instagram reels be. This is why many content creators turn to Instagram Live to enjoy a more interactive experience with their audience. You might be surprised to learn that Instagram Live allows you to stream for four hours at a time. In the past, the limit was just one hour, but this generous extension means you can spend hours online connecting with your audience. This Instagram video length is great for Q&As and interactive demonstrations, and you can save the live stream to your profile after it’s complete. From there, followers have up to 30 days to re-watch the content they missed.
Instagram Ads
Businesses and content creators use ads to promote products and services which either they offer or in collaboration with another brand. The rules for these videos are different from other types of video, which is why they can be three to 120 seconds in length. When looking at how long can a video be on Instagram, you’ll also find you have the option of Instagram Story ads. These allow you to share up to ten cards of 15 seconds each, with only three showing in the initial feed. Your viewers then have to tap to continue watching the remaining part of the ad.
How to Get the Right Instagram Video Length
Now you know the answer to the question of how long can an Instagram video be, you’ll want to think carefully about how you can keep to these limits while still creating high-quality and compelling content. The first thing to consider is which type of video content is best for the target audience. You may just find that you can choose a different type of Instagram video, and you’ll be able to upload the content you created without too much editing. On the Instagram app, you have the option to trim the video. This tool is built into the app, and when you exceed the set limits for each video type, you are offered the option to cut down the content to meet the limit.
One of the best ways to offer your audience high-quality content without simply trimming the start or end of the video is to use a video editor like Vizard. This will allow you to play around with your video until it meets the upload requirements. If you’ve not used a video editor before, you’ll be surprised by how easy it is to edit and trim your video with our editing tool. This browser-based video editor is ideal for short-form video creation and can help you to turn podcasts, webinars or tutorials into clips that you can share online. After using our editing tool, you still have the option of uploading a video carousel to Instagram if you have a lot of longer videos to share, which are ideal for in-depth guides and discussions.
How Long Can an Instagram Video Be – Key Takeaways
As you can see, the limit for the length of an Instagram video will depend on the type of video content you upload:
- Instagram Feed Videos – 3 seconds to 60 minutes
- Instagram Reels – 15 seconds to 60 seconds
- Instagram Stories – 15 Seconds
- Instagram Live – Up to 4 hours
- Instagram Ads – 3 seconds to 120 seconds
Instagram offers options for video length to fit any content creator’s needs. We recommend using a video editing app like Vizard for all of your video content in the future. Vizard’s Instagram video editor and Reels maker allows users to turn longer videos into short clips either manually or using AI which are perfect for TikTok or Instagram Reels. Our tool will help to make uploading videos quicker and easier than ever before. You don’t need any video editing experience to become pro video content creators. Check out our site for more information and to discover how you can improve your video content with our help. Upload a video now to try Vizard for yourself today.
