How to Combine 2 Reels on Instagram

Ever wondered how creators seamlessly stitch two different videos into a single, polished Instagram Reel? You’ve seen it before: a stunning before-and-after transformation, a clever then-vs-now trend, or a storytelling video that jumps from one scene to another. This guide breaks down exactly how to combine two Reels on Instagram, covering the best in-app methods and giving you tips for creating professional-looking videos every time.

Why Combine Two Reels in the First Place?

Before we get into the step-by-step directions, let's talk about the creative possibilities. Merging clips isn't just a technical trick, it's a powerful storytelling tool. When you combine videos, you unlock brand new ways to engage your audience and level up your content strategy.

Here are just a few popular reasons why you might want to combine two video clips into one Reel:

• Showcasing Before-and-After Transformations: This is a classic for good reason. It's perfect for fitness journeys, home renovations, makeup looks, art projects, and business glow-ups. Showing the starting point and the final result in one video creates a huge impact.
• Creating "Then vs. Now" Comparisons: Share your growth by putting an old video side-by-side with a new one. This works for personal throwbacks, celebrating business milestones, or just having fun with how much things have changed.
• Telling a Longer Story: Sometimes 15 or 30 seconds isn’t enough. By combining clips, you can show a setup and a punchline, a question and an answer, or simply move the narrative from one location to another without a jarring cut.
• Making a "Duet" with Yourself: Popular on TikTok, this format is just as effective on Reels. You can record yourself asking a question in one clip and then answering it in the second clip, creating a fun, dynamic back-and-forth.
• Combining Different Angles: Shooting an event or a product? Film from multiple angles and stitch the best shots together. This gives your Reels a more dynamic and professional feel, much like a multi-camera shoot.

Whatever your goal, mastering the art of combining video clips is a foundational skill for any serious Instagram creator.

The Best Method: Combining Clips Inside the Instagram App

While Instagram doesn't have a giant "Merge Two Reels" button, its built-in editor is surprisingly powerful for combining videos directly from your camera roll. This is the most common and effective way to achieve the look you want without ever leaving the app.

For this method to work, your two separate video clips must already be saved to your phone's camera roll.

Step-by-Step Guide to Combining Videos in the Reel Editor:

1. Start a New Reel and Add Your First Clip

Open the Instagram app and tap the plus icon (+), then select Reel. Instead of recording, look for the blue plus icon in the bottom-left corner of your screen. This will open your phone's camera roll. Find and select your first video clip. You can also swipe up to access your library.

2. Trim Your First Clip

Once selected, Instagram will show you a timeline of the first clip. Drag the handles on either end of the timeline to trim the video, selecting only the portion you want to include in the final Reel. When you're happy with the length, tap "Add" in the top-right corner.

You’ll now be taken to the main Reel editor, where you’ll see your first clip waiting on the timeline.

3. Add Your Second Clip

Now, it's time to add your second video. Tap the "Add Clips" button, located at the bottom-left of the editor screen. This will take you back to your phone’s camera roll. Find and select your second video file.

Just like before, trim this second clip to the desired length using the timeline handles, then tap "Add."

4. Edit and Reorder Your Clips

You’re almost there! You'll now be back in the Reel editor, and you should see both of your clips in the timeline. If you want to change their order, tap the "Edit clips" button on the bottom left.

On this screen, you’ll see both clips as separate blocks. Tap "Reorder," then press and hold one of the clips and drag it into the correct position. You can also tap on any clip to trim it further here.

Pro Tip: This is also where you can add seamless transitions between your two clips. After tapping "Edit clips," you'll see a "Transitions" button. Tap it, and you’ll find a selection of effects that Instagram can automatically apply between your two clips for a smoother cut.

5. Add Final Touches (Audio, Text, Effects)

With your two videos successfully combined, you can now treat it like any other Reel. Tap the music note icon to add trending audio, which can really help tie the two clips together. Use the text tool to add captions or context and browse the effects gallery to add a fun filter or visual effect.

6. Write Your Caption & Post

Once you’re happy with the final edit, tap "Next." Here, you can write a compelling caption, add relevant hashtags, tag other accounts, and choose your cover image. When you're ready, hit "Share" to post your combined Reel to your feed.

What About the "Remix" Feature?

You may have heard about Instagram's "Remix" feature, and it's another way to combine videos, but with a different purpose. Remixing is designed for reacting to or collaborating with another creator's existing Reel. It’s not meant for merging two of your own video files from your camera roll.

With Remix, you can record a video that plays alongside or just after someone else’s Reel. It's great for commentary, duets, or adding your own spin to a trend.

When to use the Remix feature:

• You want to appear side-by-side with another public Reel.
• You want your video to play immediately following someone else's Reel.
• You're participating in a challenge or trend that encourages responses.

You just tap the three dots on a Reel you want to remix and select "Remix." You can then choose a layout (side-by-side or sequential) and record your own video to go with it. Keep in mind that creators can disable the ability for others to remix their Reels.

For More Control: Using a Third-Party Video Editing App

The native Instagram editor gets the job done for most basic combinations. But if you want more creative control, more polished transitions, or advanced editing tools, using a third-party app is the way to go. Powerful, user-friendly mobile editors can take your Reels to the next level.

Some of the most popular apps for this are:

• CapCut: Made by the same parent company as TikTok, it’s completely free and packed with features like auto-captions, professional-grade transitions, and a huge library of effects and sounds.
• InShot: A long-time favorite for social media managers. It’s intuitive and great for basic video editing, trimming, adding text overlays, and filters.
• VN Video Editor: A free app that bridges the gap between simple editors and professional software. It gives you multi-track timeline editing, precise speed controls (speed ramping), and advanced color grading options.

The General Workflow for Third-Party Apps:

1. Import Your Clips: Open the app and start a new project. Import both video clips from your camera roll.
2. Arrange on the Timeline: Drag and drop your clips onto the editing timeline in the order you want them to appear.
3. Trim and Edit: Trim each clip precisely. This is where apps shine - you can often get much more granular than within Instagram. You can also adjust speed, color correct each clip, and adjust audio levels.
4. Add Transitions & Effects: Add custom transitions, sound effects, animated text, or other visual effects that aren't available on Instagram.
5. Export: Once you’re finished, export the final video. Make sure to use the correct settings: a 9:16 aspect ratio is perfect for Reels. Save it to your phone's camera roll.
6. Upload to Instagram: Now you have a single, polished video file ready to go. Open Instagram, start a new Reel, and upload your edited video from your camera roll. Add your caption and hashtags, and share!

This process gives you the most creative freedom and often results in a higher-quality final product.

Tips for Making Your Combined Reels Look Seamless

Technically combining two videos is half the battle. Making them feel like they belong together is what separates good Reels from great ones. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Plan Ahead: Don't just shoot two random clips and hope for the best. Storyboard or outline your idea first. Know how the first clip will lead into the second.
• Maintain Consistent Lighting: If you can, try to shoot both clips in similar lighting conditions. Abrupt changes in brightness can be distracting and make the edit feel less professional.
• Use Motivated Transitions: A "motivated" transition is one that feels intentional. You can use an action in the first clip to transition to the second, like a hand swipe across the camera lens, covering it and then uncovering it in the new scene, or a spin that ends in a different location.
• Bridge the Gap with Audio: The right audio can magically tie two very different clips together. Select a trending sound or a piece of music whose beat or melody helps connect the two scenes. A well-timed bass drop can be a perfect transition point.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to combine two Reels on Instagram opens up countless new possibilities for your content. Whether you're stitching clips together in the app for a quick before-and-after or using a third-party editor for a polished storytelling video, this skill is essential for creating dynamic content that stops the scroll.

Planning and scheduling visually engaging content like merged Reels is exactly why we built Postbase. Since we designed our platform for the short-form video era, you can easily plan your entire visual strategy on our calendar and schedule your perfected Reels for Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts all at once. This lets you focus on creating, not just publishing, to build your brand more effectively across all your platforms.