If you’re struggling to gain views on your Instagram Reels, it could be due to their length.
Today we’ll reveal what the ideal Instagram Reels length is for maximum views and maximum engagement, plus how to help your Reels reach the Explore page without lifting a finger!
Key Points:
What Is The Best Length For An Instagram Reel?
Ideally your Instagram Reels should be 7-15 seconds long. Why so short? That’s because the average Reel watch time is a mere 3 seconds.
If you’re just starting out and don’t have an established audience, focus on capturing viewers’ attention within the first 10 seconds, otherwise you risk being drowned out by other Reels.
For long-form Reel content you can go as long as 30 seconds to 1 minute, but don’t make a habit of it.
What Is The Current Instagram Reel Length Limit?
Instagram Reels can be up to 20 minutes long, but that doesn’t mean they should be.
The 90 Second Rule
Despite the increased Reels length limit, many users still stand by the 90 second rule which was confirmed by head of Instagram Adam Mosseri. In short, the 90 second rule means that Reels over 90 seconds long won’t appear to non-followers (on the Discovery page).
So if you want to increase the reach of your Reels, keep them short and sweet.
Instagram Reels Best Practices
Aside from the overall length of Reels, there are a few additional elements to keep in mind when crafting your content:
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Plan your content so that you don’t go off topic. Stick to a script or outline, especially when you first start.
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Use high quality video & audio to stand out as a quality voice.
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Integrate trends where relevant, including songs, memes, and visuals.
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Don’t forget captions! Many users browse their feeds on mute.
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Post consistently at the same days and times.
Exceptions: Instagram Reels That Should Be Longer
While the average Reel shouldn’t be longer than 15 seconds long, there are a few exceptions including user generated content (content that your audience creates for you to highlight, like reviews, testimonials, and unboxings), and Get Ready With Me style videos.
These are content styles that users expect to be longer, so if they’re clicking play they don’t want an abrupt snippet - feel free to make the most of the Reel
How Long Is The Average IG Reel?
On average, the most-watched Instagram Reels are about 30 seconds long.
That’s why we recommend keeping Reels between 7-15 seconds and no longer than 1 minute, unless you’re creating one of the aforementioned content exceptions.
Can An Instagram Reel Be 4 Minutes Long?
Yes, Instagram Reels can be up to 20 minutes long. Still, 4 minutes for a Reel might be pushing it depending on the type of content you’re creating.
How To Trim Instagram Reels
Want to shorten your Reels? You can do that directly from the Instagram app before posting it.
Open the Instagram app and tap the plus sign to create a new post.
Select Reel and upload your video content.
Drag the slider to adjust the video length either from the beginning or the end.
Once you’re done tap the blue arrow on the top right corner.
Finish adding a caption, tags, and any other meta data before posting.
How To Get More Views On Instagram Reels
So what if you’ve been posting short, high-quality Reels for a while and you’re still not getting the view count you want?
QQTube has your back with Instagram engagement services including views for Instagram Reels starting as low as $0.05 for 1000 views - that’s a fraction of a cent per view.
When you increase your view count, you’re helping your Reel appear in front of more users as Instagram’s algorithm recommends it based on its high level of engagement.
You can also buy Instagram likes, comments, shares, saves (and more) to give your Reel a well-rounded foundation of engagement which will give it the appearance of popularity, making organic users more likely to click it and check out your profile.
Don’t worry - here at QQTube we have a bot-free guarantee, which means you’ll only receive engagement from real Instagram users, never fake accounts. Plus, there’s no password required so you can maintain the privacy and security of your Instagram account.
IG Reels vs. TikToks vs. YouTube Shorts
Any efficient content creator knows that the best way to use short form video is to reuse it across platforms. Here are the current time limits for the top three short-form video platforms:
NOTE: While you can post videos longer than 3 minutes on YouTube, anything longer than that will appear as a regular YouTube video, not a Short.
How Long Can An IG Story Be?
Instagram Stories can be up to 60 seconds long and will stick around for 24 hours, but you can post more than one 60 second clip per day as long as you don’t exceed the limit of 100 Story slides.
How Long Can Instagram Carousels Be?
Instagram Carousels can include up to 10 slides of either photo or video. In-feed video has a time limit of 60 minutes (1 hour).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 3/8/12 rule?
The 3/8/12 rule is a method for breaking down Instagram Reels and other shortform videos in a way that captures viewer attention.
With this rule, the first 3 seconds should be focused on capturing attention with a strong hook.
The next 8 seconds should build on that to draw viewers in even further.
The final 12 seconds should focus on your pitch: what are you trying to get viewers to do by watching your video?
How to get 30 followers a day?
You can use a service like QQTube’s Instagram Followers to get 30 or more followers a day to any Instagram profile of your choice. Check it out here.
What is the trick to get more views on a Reel?
Post at the right time, make sure your Reels are the right length, and keep posting consistently!
Do shorter videos get more views?
When it comes to Reels, yes. Shorter videos tend to do better, especially since the average view time for short-form content is about 3 seconds.
Is 100 likes for 1000 views good?
You should have a 10% likes to views ratio, so if you have 1,000 views having at least 100 likes is ideal. However, this also depends on the niche and your follower base.
How long should a reel be to go viral?
The best length for Instagram Reels is 15 seconds or shorter.
How long can Instagram Reels be 2026?
Currently Instagram Reels can be up to 20 minutes long.
How long can a reel be on Facebook?
Facebook Reels can be up to 3 minutes long.
How to increase Instagram Reels time limit?
There’s no way to increase the time limit on Instagram Reels - currently they can be up to 20 minutes long.
How long should Instagram reels be for engagement?
Between 15 seconds and 2 minutes tends to be ideal, but if your content requires it feel free to go above that timeframe.
Is a 2 minute reel too long?
That depends on your content, but usually yes. It’s best to stick to a Reel length of 7-15 seconds, and no longer than 1 minute.
How do I post a 3 minute reel on Instagram?
Since the time limit is 20 minutes, you can post a 3 minute Reel like any other Reel - by tapping the plus sign and uploading video content.
How do I post a 5 minute reel on IG?
Instagram Reels have a limit of 20 minutes so posting a 5 minute Reel is just the same as any other.
Do longer videos get more views on Instagram?
Usually not, unless your specific audience is committed to longform content. People scroll Instagram for instant gratification so if you have longer videos consider posting them on YouTube.
How to choose reel length on Instagram?
Start with 7-15 seconds if you’re new to creating Reels, and if you have more to say aim for 30 seconds to 1 minute long. Anything longer than that runs the risk of losing audience interest.
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