Creating content on Instagram Reels may seem difficult, but to know the right length, smart calculations of different formats and features help creators and their team save hours while staying entertaining. 

This article explains the optimal runtimes, best lengths, and how to share videos or photo-only accounts with guaranteed reach, increased views, and higher engagement by using easy practices, editing tips, repurposing Stories, and hacks in any post format through tools like Clipchamp editor. 

The latest difference in new multiple lengths shows why to learn specifications, make better videos, and choose wisely for stronger results.

What are Instagram reels?

Instagram Reels are short form videos built to engage people online similar to TikTok, offering a full-screen format that captures attention, helping users learn, promote a brand, and enjoy the benefits of staying disciplined with creative projects to achieve goals; placed in a special tab on the app, they increase reach, grow a following, and build a community, as research shows a reel gains about 30% more time people spend, giving opportunities to be seen, connect with new audiences.

Why does reels length matter?

When Instagram first introduced reels, the maximum length was 15 seconds, short and designed to encourage creativity and quick consumption on the platform. 

As it evolved, the app gave more power and today it allows users to create up to 90 seconds, an extension of time that supports detailed content, making it a versatile tool for creators and retailers whose work can affect overall performance.

Viewer Engagement:

From my own posting experience, I’ve noticed that short reels around 15-30 seconds usually grab audience attention much faster and are more likely to be watched in their entirety, which can increase overall completion rates—a key metric that the Instagram algorithm values highly.

Depth of content: 

When Instagram reels are kept long, around 60-90 seconds, they provide plenty of room to explore complex topics, tell a clear story, or share a comprehensive lesson plan that is useful for companies to educate audiences and showcase extensive product demonstrations effectively.

Algorithm Preferences:

On Instagram, the algorithm prefers short content that retains viewers, and when the audience watches Reels till the end, they stand a better chance of the platform pushing them to a wider reach.

How long can Instagram reels be?

On Instagram, reels can be as short as 15 seconds or as long as 30, 60, or 90, and the app suggests keeping within the time limit for the best results when making a video in this format.

Whether recorded live or through your phone, you can cut, edit, and add eye-catching images, a call to action (CTA), and strong hashtags to help people find your content, much like short movies or clips you stream, though slightly longer ones are also supported.

How to Trim Videos to the Length of Instagram Reels

On Instagram, reels allow up to 90 seconds long, and keeping a video within this limit is possible by using easy tools for trimming. These tools help to cut the extra parts so you can upload any content smoothly while staying within the required length.

Trimming reels on Instagram

To edit a video on Instagram, open the app and record your Reels, then trim the extra part by selecting the right clip, adjust it directly in the editor, choose the best place, follow the simple steps, and finally save it.

Open App

When you open the Instagram app and launch a Reel, you can treat it like a project where you simply upload a video to trim and adjust its length with ease.

Edit Video

To edit a video on Reels, simply tap the button at the lower left corner of the screen to trim clips quickly and neatly.

Adjust Length

When editing a Reel, you can adjust the length of a clip on the timeline by dragging the yellow slider to set the correct timing.

Cut Sections

You can cut unwanted sections, remove clips from the beginning, mark points to split videos, adjust the end, and discard parts you don’t need.

Save Changes

When trimming reels, make quick edits, press the blue arrow at the top right corner, review until you feel happy, then save your work so the changes stay.

Final Edits

The final step of Reels involves additional edits, selecting thumbnails, adding captions, deciding on sharing, saving the video, or keeping it as a draft for later use.

You can also change the playback speed by selecting “Speed” and dragging the slider.

How to Use Instagram Reel Analytics & Insights

Growing your Instagram takes time and effort. To see more followers, likes, and sales, you need to use Instagram’s analytics tools.

You can check how your Instagram Reels are doing in three ways:

1. Individual Reel Insights

• Go to your profile page.

• Open the Reel you want to analyze.

• Choose View insights.

• In details, check how many people saw the video.

• See how long viewers watched.

• Review interactions like likes and comments.

2. The Instagram Insights Tab

• Open Instagram.

• go to your profile.

• Tap the Insights tab.

• See how your Reels are doing all together.
• Sort the insights such as comments, likes, saves, reach, plays, shares, and interactions.

How Long Can an Instagram Story Be?

On Instagram, a Story can be up to 60 seconds long but will disappear after 24 hours, and you can add multiple videos or clips to make it longer than one part; unlike a reel that stays on the feed, users and followers can tap your profile picture at the top or in the messages tab to see vertical content saved in a dedicated section, where it can be viewed quickly and still make an important impression.

How to Post an Instagram Story:

• tap the + icon at the bottom center of your screen.

• swipe to the Story option.

• Choose Create to start fresh, or record a clip, or upload content from your gallery.

• Add stickers, music, or text — I usually throw in a quick sticker and a short song I like.

• When it looks good, press the forward arrow button to post.

How Long Can Instagram Carousels Be?

Instagram carousels can hold up to 10 photos or videos, and users on mobile swipe left to see each post, while on desktop they click the arrow button to navigate through the carousel.

How to Create an Instagram Carousel Post:

Here’s a step-by-step guide based on my experience for creating a carousel Post:

• Tap the icon in the area where you usually create posts.

• Choose the select option to pick multiple images or videos.

• Look for overlapping squares—they show which content is selected.

• Add trending sounds or music to make each slide engaging.

• Use clicking the symbol to preview your carousel before posting.

• Arrange your images and videos creatively for better audience interaction.

Video Length for Instagram Reels, TikToks, and YouTube Shorts:

• TikTok: Up to 30 minutes (depending on the region).
• YouTube Shorts: Up to 60 seconds (longer videos are regular YouTube videos).
• Instagram Reels: Ideal time is 90 seconds, but you can upload videos up to 15 minutes long.

Instagram Reels are Instagram’s answer to TikTok’s short videos. Many creators use the same videos for Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts for more visibility.

Conclusion

When creating Instagram Reels, understanding the key practices for success is essential to engage your audience with creative, concise video content. 

Using a variety of reel lengths while tailoring to the needs of your following helps achieve maximum impact, aiming for quick engagement and keeping your content powerful and memorable.

Frequently asked questions

How long can an Instagram Reel be in 2025?

Instagram Reels can now be up to 3-minutes long. This allows more time for storytelling, tutorials, or showcasing products. Feed posts can be up to 60-minutes long. You can easily repurpose long videos using the video trimmer.

How can I upload a long video on Instagram?

To upload Instagram videos longer than the maximum time limit for each format, trim your video into multiple separate clips and upload them as a feed carousel post, multiple Reels, or multiple consecutive Story posts.