As one of the largest and most popular social media platforms, Instagram guarantees consistent and sustained traffic for your brand or business.

Still, like any other social media or content-sharing platform, Instagram has its rules. One of these relates to Instagram video length. In case you have yet to try it, the platform is quite unyielding on this.

If a video doesn’t conform to Instagram’s content guidelines, then you can be sure it won’t be featured on the platform (at least entirely).

Fortunately, there are ways around this, and if you can figure out the video length for each Instagram post type, you’ll save yourself a lot of trouble. Dig in and find out Instagram video length policies and a few workarounds to deal with the guidelines.

At a Glance: Instagram Video Length Limits

A huge part of Instagram’s popularity can be attributed to its simple and intuitive video creation and viewing interface. But how long can you make your Instagram videos? The short answer to this; it depends on the video type you’re creating.

A more apt answer would be that Instagram has different guidelines for each video type. So, an ordinary Instagram post video would have different restrictions than Instagram Live.

Here’s a quick look at the different Instagram video types and their respective video length limits:

• Instagram Feed Video Length: Videos featured in the feed or a post have a maximum length of 60 seconds.
• Instagram Stories Video Length: These videos are typically made up of 15-second video clips that you can string together to create longer videos. The maximum length for an Instagram Story is 15 seconds.
• Instagram Reels Video Length: Instagram Reels are the platform’s newest feature, and they allow users to create longer, more engaging videos than Instagram Stories. Reel videos have a maximum length of 90 seconds.
• Instagram Live Video Length: These can last up to four hours at a time. However, if you’re trying to use live videos for marketing purposes, it’s recommended that you keep it to about 20 minutes or less to keep viewers engaged.
• IGTV video Length: IGTV is a feature that allows users to upload longer videos, up to 15 minutes in length for videos posted from mobile devices and up to 60 minutes for videos uploaded from a PC or the web.
• Instagram Ad Video Length: Instagram Ads videos must be between one and 60 seconds long.

Instagram Feed Video Length

These usually feature on Instagram’s feed section. Anyone can access your Instagram video posts by visiting your profile (unless you’ve set it to private, which is counterproductive if you’re trying to build a brand).

If you have never done any of this, here’s a guide on how to post a video on Instagram.

Regarding video length, Instagram doesn’t have a minimum requirement for Instagram video posts, but they can only be a maximum of 60 seconds long.

This makes sense since users are constantly scrolling, and the earlier you capture their attention and make your point (i.e., deliver your brand’s value proposition), the better it is for your brand and users.

Instagram Stories Video Length

Instagram stories are designed to offer a brief glimpse into a person’s account, and they’ve been a hit since Instagram launched the feature in 2016.

All Instagram stories videos are capped at 15 seconds. For brands and businesses, they’re an excellent option for reaching potential leads, providing updates, or even regular marketing posts.

The key to nailing Instagram stories is providing as much information as possible while maintaining relevance and uniqueness. But it’s not just a cut and paste affair. So much goes into creating an IG story that delivers results. Find out more about Instagram story videos here.

Instagram Reels Video Length

Instagram introduced this feature in 2019, and the experience has never been the same for users. The platform’s parent company Facebook Meta seems to have taken the cue and introduced it there as well.

Instagram reels can last anywhere between one and 60 seconds per video, but there’s also the option that allows a maximum of 90 seconds per reel if you film it directly from the app.

You can also style your Instagram reels in 15, 30, or 60-second intervals.

Instagram Live Video Length

If you want more time to engage your audience, Instagram Live video should be your next stop.

Like the others, Instagram Live video doesn’t have a minimum video length and can last as much as four hours at a time.

It seems like a no-brainer, but you should put much thought into what you want to present on Instagram Live since not all uses can be appropriate.

But there are upsides to this. One such advantage is you could always host a Q&A session for your business while you insert ads covertly during the session.

Also, with the extra time, you could explain your brand or products in more detail while simultaneously hosting unaffiliated experts to address any customer concerns.

IGTV Length

IGTV is Instagram’s long-form video platform that allows users to upload videos up to 15 minutes in length from mobile devices. On the other hand, IGTV videos uploaded via the web or from a PC can be as long as 60 minutes.

In terms of size, IGTV videos can be up to 650MB in file size. Also, your video must meet the technical requirements before it can be uploaded. These requirements include having an aspect ratio of 9:16, not exceeding 30 fps, having a video bit rate between 4,500 and 6,000 kbps, and using H.264 encoding for maximum compatibility.

Use this guide to learn more about video format for Instagram.

Instagram Ad Video Length

Instagram Ad videos can be between one and 60 seconds long, which applies to ads featuring the regular feed. Instagram ad videos that feature on stories can be between one and 15 seconds considering the limited video length for Instagram Stories.

Instagram Video Length Limit Hacks

Despite Instagram video length limits, there are effective ways to get your message across. Here’s a look at some of the options:

The first method involves splitting your video into multiple posts. This way, you can post several shorter videos that come together to make a longer one. You could also string together numerous stories or Reels.

To ensure continuity between each post, use a consistent look and feel and provide context for each segment.

Another option is to upload a single long video but remember to set it up so that it only plays for the maximum allowed time. To do this, you’ll need to crop your video to the point where it’s the right length.

Lastly, you can also share an external link with your followers. This could lead to a website where they can watch the full-length version of your video. Ensure you include a call-to-action within the caption of your post to drive clicks to the link.

Final Thoughts

Instagram is a leading social media platform and can be a reliable traffic source for your brand or business. However, you must understand how Instagram works, the media formats allowed, and other intricacies like recommended video length.

Whether creating content for your feed, stories, reels, IGTV, or ads, you should observe a specific video length limit to ensure optimal user engagement and visibility.

While this may seem complex, with some creativity and the help of third-party editing tools, you can easily get around the maximum length requirement for each video type.

Regardless of what you choose to do with your videos, ensure they are short enough to capture and retain your audience’s attention.

Also, keep an eye on Instagram video length limits as they could change, and these little details will help you create the most engaging and successful content possible.