How Long Can Instagram Reels Be in 2023?

How long can Instagram Reels be? That’s the question every content creator wants to get updated when planning their next viral post.

But, did you know that going for the the Instagram Reels maximum length isn’t always the best? Short, punchy videos often get more engagement and are favored by the algorithm.

In this article you’ll learn how to tailor your length to your niche to maximize viewer retention and boost your chances of going viral. Curious? Let’s dive into it.

How How Long Can Instagram Reels Be Now?

Instagram Reels maximum length in 2025 is 20 minutes long. Yes, you read that right. As of October 2025, you have a full 1,200 seconds for your video.

You might have heard the limit is only three minutes. Yes, that was actually correct back in January. But Instagram has since updated it.

And with this 20-minute limit? It’s a huge shift if you ever thought three minutes was too short. No more squeezing everything into a tiny box.

If you are a gaming content creator, you can now create a quick guide for the Fortnitemares event.

You can show players where to find the Mother of Thorns boss and how to beat her. And you can even teach them how to use her Mythic Thorn Ripper. All in one Reel.

Or, you are a cosplayer documenting a full suit of armor? You can show every step, from cutting the foam and shaping it with heat, to adding battle damage, painting, and final weathering.

Simply put, the new update gives you more room for your creativity.

So, whether you’re a beginner just getting started or you’ve been posting Reels for a while, this extended length gives you serious creative flexibility.

But just because you can go with the 20 minutes, it doesn’t mean that you have to always create reels that long. There are still options for 15 seconds, 20 seconds, 60 seconds, other than just 20 minutes.

If you’ve updated your Instagram app to the latest version and your region doesn’t block the feature, you’ll see it in the length menu when creating your Reels.

Related: Trending Hashtags for Instagram Reels

When Did Instagram Reels Get Longer?

Since 2020, Instagram Reels went from short TikTok copy to 20-minute videos. Here’s a quick update:

• August 2020 — 15 seconds. Instagram Reels launched on August 5, 2020, with a 15-second limit to compete with TikTok and grab those quick attention spans. It’s all about short, snackable videos you can scroll through fast.
• September 2020 — 30 seconds. Just a month later, Instagram doubled the limit because creators wanted more time to tell their stories and show more detail.
• August 2021 — 60 seconds. They bumped it up to a minute after people said 30 seconds still felt too short for tutorials and storytelling.
• June 2022 — 90 seconds. This update added polls, quizzes, emoji sliders, and the option to make Reels with templates. The 90-second limit gave creators more room for deeper stories and educational stuff.
• July 2022 — 15 minutes. Instagram said any video under 15 minutes uploaded would automatically turn into a Reel, merging regular videos with Reels. That got rid of the separate Videos tab and made everything short to mid-length videos Reels.
• January 2025 — 3 minutes. On January 18, 2025, Instagram boss Adam Mosseri announced Reels could now be up to 3 minutes long. He said people told them 90 seconds was just too short to tell full stories.
• July 2025 — 20 minutes. They started testing 20-minute Reels with some creators, inspired by longer videos on TikTok and Facebook.
• October 2025 — 20 minutes. Reels now have a maximum length of 20 minutes, so creators can make full tutorials or gameplay all in one video without splitting it up.

Instagram Reels Maximum Length vs YouTube Shorts vs TikTok

Let’s see how long Instagram Reels can be compared to YouTube Shorts and TikTok:

Instagram Reels: 20 Minutes

With a full 20 minutes on Instagram Reels, you can show your entire armor-building process from start to finish.

Start by sharing your reference images and which materials you chose. Then, show how you made the pattern using the wrap-and-tape method on a dress form.

Next, cut each piece from foam, heat the foam with a heat gun to shape it, and finish with the big reveal, a try-on, and a mobility test.

Your viewers can learn the whole process and feel confident to try it themselves, all from your 20-minute Reel. Just make sure you’re using the right size for your Instagram Reels.

YouTube Shorts: 3 Minutes

YouTube Shorts started in 2020 with a 60-second limit, which is good for viral trends or simple videos.

By October 2024, the limit increased to 3 minutes. That’s an upgrade. You can quickly check your cosplay build, but it’s still tight for real teaching moments.

You can start with a quick “before” shot, then show about ten seconds of shaping a foam piece with heat. After that, speed up the video to show gluing panels, spray painting, and the final look.

It’s more of a quick before-and-after than a real tutorial.

To help your followers make their own armor, just break the lesson into a few Shorts, covering pattern making, heat forming, and painting.

TikTok: 10-Minute Record or 60-Minute Upload

TikTok used to be all about quick 15- or 60-second videos. But now you can record up to 10 minutes. That’s more time than Shorts, but it’s still short if you’re trying to do something really detailed.

You can show your patterning, trace a few pieces, and focus on the main assembly steps. Just pick which parts to go into detail and which ones to speed up with a quick montage.

But, if you upload a pre-edited 60-minute video, you can share the whole story, from mistakes, a Q&A, detailed painting, wig-styling, the final try-on, and even your friends’ reactions. I

Simply put, Instagram Reels maximum length lets you do full tutorials while YouTube Shorts is only great for quick before-and-after content.

Related: Instagram Reels vs TikTok

How Long Should a Reel Be on Instagram:?

You know Instagram Reels can be up to 20 minutes now, right? But the real question is, how long should your Reels be?

1. Think About the Algorithm

Think you need 20 minutes? Go for it. But keep in mind the Instagram algorithm likes shorter videos.

Why? Because the platform cares more about completion rates and watch time than video length. A 20-second video that 90% finish will beat a 3-minute one where most drop off after 30 seconds.

Reels under 30 seconds? They’re more likely to go viral. But if you go over 90 seconds, you’ll get less reach unless you keep viewers hooked the whole time.

Do you want maximum reach with short viral clips, or authority with longer educational videos that build trust?

2. Your Content’s Purpose Matters

Different content types have their own sweet spot for length.

Quick tips and hacks are perfect at just 7-15 seconds. You get the point across fast. Storytelling needs 30-60 seconds to build a real narrative with a payoff.

Tutorials take about 60-90 seconds to show a technique well. But for something tricky, like character rigging in Blender, you might need 3 minutes or more.

Entertainment and comedy work best at 15-30 seconds for easy sharing. Behind-the-scenes clips are great at 45-60 seconds, and product demos convert best in 30-60 seconds.

3. Set Your Video Length Based on Its Quality

How long can an Instagram reel be? It depends on your video quality.

High-quality visuals with fast-paced editing can keep people watching longer. Use quick cuts, zooms, and scene changes to hold their attention.

If your shots are static or slow, you need to keep the video short or people will just scroll away.

Your first 1-3 seconds are everything. That’s your hook. It has to be visually striking or make a promise that makes people want to stay.

Use pattern interrupts to keep things fresh in longer videos. Think quick cuts, text pop-ups, transition effects, and sound changes. These little surprises reset the viewer’s attention every few seconds.

Related: Best Reels Apps for Editing

4. Know Your Audience and Niche

Your audience’s age shapes what video length works for them.

Gen Z prefers super short 7-20 second videos that give instant gratification. Millennials are okay with 30-60 second content if the topic grabs them.

Your niche matters too. Educational content like coding or art tutorials can be longer because people want the details. Pure entertainment needs to be super short to go viral.

Even the time of day affects it. Morning scrollers want quick hits, but evening viewers might watch longer videos when they’re relaxing.

So, think about when is the best time to post on Instagram other than its duration,

5. Plan Your Content Type

If you’re making a series, keep each episode around the same length. That predictability builds trust, and viewers are more likely to click your next video because they know the time commitment.

Multi-part tutorials work much better as shorter, 30-45 second episodes instead of one long 3-minute Reel people save but never watch.

Balance your content mix. Use quick 15-30 second clips designed for discovery and the algorithm. Then add deeper 60-180 second videos that build authority and give your core followers a reason to stay.

Related: How to Download Instagram Reels

Latest Instagram Reels Update

As mentioned above, there is an Instagram Reels update at June 2nd, 2022. Here are the three point mentioned by Instagram:

Instagram’s latest update introduces interactive stickers, such as polls, quizzes, and emoji sliders, to Reels. These stickers offer users enhanced opportunities for engagement with their community.

1. Interactive Stickers (Polls, Quizzes, Emoji Sliders)

Instagram has brought the beloved interactive stickers from Stories to Reels. Now, users can add polls, quizzes, and emoji sliders to their Reels, making their content more engaging and interactive.

Users can gather valuable feedback and insights from their audience by using these stickers. Polls and quizzes allow them to ask questions or conduct surveys, while emoji sliders gauge sentiment.

This feature opens up exciting possibilities for engagement, as users can understand their audience’s preferences and tailor their content accordingly. It also fosters a sense of community and connection between creators and their followers.

What can you do?

• Ordinary Users: Ordinary users can use these interactive stickers to add fun elements to their Reels. They can ask questions about daily life, seek opinions on food choices, or create entertaining quizzes. This can turn everyday moments into engaging content, fostering connections with mutual friends and followers.
• Marketers: Marketers can leverage these stickers for market research. Running polls or quizzes related to their products or services can help gauge customer preferences and gather valuable insights for product development or marketing strategies.
• Public Figures/Influencers: Public figures and influencers can use these interactive stickers to boost audience engagement. They can ask their followers for input on content choices, gather feedback on their work, and create a sense of collaboration and interaction with their fan base.

2. Reels Templates with Customization

Instagram has upgraded its Reels templates, enabling users to create Reels by reusing elements from other Reels they admire. Users can insert their videos and photos into these templates, saving time and giving them a head start in content creation.

These templates are fully customizable, allowing users to adjust the timing, add or remove clips, and edit preloaded elements. This flexibility ensures that the content remains unique and in line with their creative vision.

For users, this feature simplifies the content creation process, making it easier to get started and maintain consistency in their content while adding their own personal touch.

What can you do?

• Ordinary Users: Everyday users can take advantage of templates to enhance their storytelling. Whether it’s sharing a travel vlog or a cooking tutorial, they can customize pre-existing templates to make their content stand out without needing advanced editing skills.
• Marketers: Marketers can use templates to maintain brand consistency. By using consistent visual elements, they can reinforce their brand identity and make their content instantly recognizable to their audience.
• Public Figures/Influencers: Public figures and influencers can quickly produce content while ensuring a consistent style. This is particularly useful when creating series, challenges, or tutorials that maintain a uniform look and feel.

Ideas for Up to 20-Minute Instagram Reels

With the extended duration to 20 minutes, you can create much more creative content. Here are some brilliant ideas for 20-minute Instagram Reels:

• Educational Content — Share interesting facts, tips, or educational content related to your niche. This could include quick history lessons, science explanations, or industry insights.
• Music and Dance Performance — If you’re a musician or dancer, take advantage of the extended time limit to showcase your talent. You can perform a full song or a choreographed routine.
• Q&A Sessions — Engage with your audience by answering their questions in a 20-minute Q&A format. This can be a fun and interactive way to connect with your followers and provide valuable information.
• Before and After Transformations — Show the transformation process, whether it’s a home renovation, a fitness journey, or a makeover. This type of content is engaging and inspiring for viewers.
• Collaborations — Collab with other creators on Instagram to make 20-minute Reels together. It’s a great way to reach new people and give your followers something fresh and exciting.
• Tutorials and How-To’s — With the extended time limit, you can create more in-depth tutorials and step-by-step guides for various topics, such as cooking, makeup, or DIY projects.
• Storytelling — Tell a compelling story in 20 minute, whether it’s a personal anecdote, a fictional narrative, or a mini-documentary. Use visuals, captions, and audio to captivate your audience.
• Behind-the-Scenes — Take your audience behind the scenes of your work or daily life. This could include showing your creative process, a day in the life of your business, or a behind-the-scenes look at an event or photoshoot.
• Product Demos and Reviews — When you sell merchs on Gank, you can use the extra time to show your latest product in detail on your next Reels. You can also give recommendations for services you offer with commissions.
• Travel Guides — Create short travel guides for different destinations, highlighting the must-see attractions, local cuisine, and unique experiences. Use captions and audio to provide helpful information.
• Funny and Entertaining Content — Create short skits, comedy sketches, or funny videos to entertain your audience. This type of content is highly shareable and can help you reach new followers.

To get more impression and reach, you can edit the video to look like a Pro as explained by Primal Video:

How Long Can a Reel Be on Instagram: A Wrap Up

Instagram now gives you 20 minutes for Reels. That’s enough time to tell a full story, make a detailed tutorial, or show a behind-the-scenes look. All from your phone.

But just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Short, punchy videos grab more attention. So, use the 20 minutes when you really need to, but don’t force it. Keep your viewers hooked, not bored.

That’s it for now. We hope this guide helps you create better content and boost your views.

And as your audience grows and fans stick around, Gank can help you earn more from your content through donations, merchandise sales, and memberships. Join for free now!

FAQ About Instagram Reels Maximum Length