How to Get an Instagram Reel URL

Ever tried to share a specific Instagram Reel with a client, embed it in your blog post, or just save it for inspiration, only to get stuck trying to find its direct link? You're not alone. This guide skips the fluff and shows you exactly how to get an Instagram Reel URL from any device - your phone, a desktop browser, and even for content that isn't yours. We'll cover every method so you can grab the link you need and get back to creating.

Why Bother with a Reel's URL Anyway?

Before we get into the step-by-step process, it's helpful to understand why having a direct URL is so useful. It's more than just a link, it's a versatile tool for any content creator, marketer, or business owner. Copying a Reel's URL unlocks several powerful ways to use that content off of the Instagram platform.

Here are a few common scenarios where a Reel link is essential:

• Sharing Outside of Instagram: A direct URL is the cleanest way to share a Reel in an email, a Slack message, a WhatsApp chat, or any other messaging platform. Instead of a clunky screenshot, you provide a direct path to the content.
• Embedding Reels on Your Website: Want to add dynamic, engaging content to your blog or company homepage? Embedding an Instagram Reel is a fantastic way to showcase your brand's personality, feature a customer testimonial, or display a product in action. You need the URL to generate the embed code.
• Organizing Your Content Strategy: Smart marketers keep "swipe files" or inspiration boards to track trends, competitor content, and brilliant ideas. Saving Reel URLs in a spreadsheet, Notion board, or Trello card lets you build a powerful library of content organized by topic, creator, or style.
• Using Third-Party Marketing Tools: Many analytics platforms, social listening tools, and content repurposing apps require a direct URL to analyze a post's performance or pull its content for use elsewhere.
• Citing Your Sources: When referencing or reacting to another creator's content, providing a direct link to the original Reel is the best practice for giving proper credit.

In short, knowing how to grab a Reel's URL moves you from being a passive viewer to a strategic user of content, both yours and others'.

Finding the URL on Your Phone (The Easy Way)

Most of us use Instagram on our phones, so let's start there. The process is nearly identical for both iPhone (iOS) and Android devices, but a couple of options are located in slightly different spots depending on whether it's your Reel or someone else's.

For Your Own Reel

When you need the link to a video you've already published, finding it is straightforward. This is the perfect method for when you want to quickly share your latest masterpiece in your newsletter or with a collaborator.

1. Open Your Profile: Launch the Instagram app and tap your profile picture in the bottom-right corner to go to your profile page.
2. Navigate to the Reels Tab: On your profile, tap the clapperboard icon in the middle of your screen. This will show you a grid of every Reel you've ever posted.
3. Select the Reel: Tap on the Reel you want the URL for. It will open up and start playing in the full-screen Reels viewer.
4. Open the Menu: Look for the three-dot icon (...) on the right side of the screen, typically located towards the bottom. Tap it.
5. Tap "Link": A menu will slide up from the bottom. You should see an option that says "Link" accompanied by a chain link icon. Tap it.
6. URL Copied! A small confirmation message will pop up saying, "Link copied to clipboard." Now you can paste the URL anywhere you need it.

For Someone Else's Reel

What if you stumble upon a Reel from another creator that you want to save or share? The process is just as simple, but you'll use the "Share" icon instead of the three-dot menu.

1. Find the Reel: Locate the Reel you want to get the URL for. This could be in your main feed, on the Explore page, or by visiting a specific user's profile and browsing their Reels tab.
2. Tap the Share Icon: On the right side of the screen, find and tap the Share icon, which looks like a paper airplane. This is the same button you'd use to send the Reel to a friend via Direct Message.
3. Find "Copy Link": A new menu will appear at the bottom of the screen with options to share the Reel with your contacts. Look along the bottom row of circular icons. You should see an option labeled "Copy link."
4. Tap to Copy: Tap the "Copy link" button. You'll get a confirmation that the link has been copied, and you're ready to paste it wherever you want.

Pro Tip: Both of these mobile methods will typically copy a shortened version of the URL (like instagr.am/reel/...), but don't worry - it works just the same as the full-length URL and directs to the exact same content.

Grabbing the URL from Your Desktop Computer

If you're already at your desk, getting a Reel's URL from a web browser is often even faster than using your phone. This is ideal for when you're preparing blog posts, building reports, or organizing content in a spreadsheet.

Method 1: Copying Directly from the Address Bar

This is the simplest and most direct way to get a Reel's URL on a desktop. It gives you the full, clean link without any extra steps.

1. Log in to Instagram: Open your favorite web browser (like Chrome, Safari, or Firefox) and go to instagram.com. Log in to your account if you haven't already.
2. Navigate to the Reel: Find the Reel you want the URL for. You can find it by browsing your feed or by going to a user's profile (`instagram.com/username`) and clicking on their Reels tab.
3. Click to Open: Click on the Reel's thumbnail to open it in a dedicated viewer window or page.
4. Copy the URL: Look at the address bar at the very top of your browser window. The URL displayed there is the direct link to the Reel! Just click inside the address bar to highlight the entire URL, then right-click and select "Copy," or use the keyboard shortcut (Cmd+C on a Mac or Ctrl+C on a PC).

Method 2: Using Instagram's Built-In Options

If you prefer using the on-page menus, Instagram's desktop interface provides an option that mirrors the mobile experience.

1. Open the Reel: As before, find and open the Reel you want the link for.
2. Click the Three-Dot Menu: In the Reel viewer, find and click the three-dot menu (...). On desktop, this is usually located in the top-right corner of the Reel window.
3. Select "Copy Link": A small pop-up menu will appear with several options. Click on "Copy Link."
4. Link Copied: Instagram will confirm that the link has been copied to your clipboard. This method also grabs the shortened URL, which is perfect for clean sharing.

Okay, I Have the URL... Now What?

Now that you're a pro at grabbing Reel URLs, let's look at some immediate, practical applications that can level up your content game immediately.

Embedding Reels into Your Website

An amazing way to make your blog or website more dynamic is to embed Reels. This not only keeps visitors on your page longer but also acts as powerful social proof. To do this, you'll need the Reel's embed code, which is easy to get with the URL.

1. Go to the Reel on your desktop browser.
2. Click the three-dot menu (...).
3. Select "Embed" from the options.
4. A pop-up will appear with an HTML code snippet. Click "Copy Embed Code."
5. Paste this code into the HTML editor of your website or blog post where you want the Reel to appear. Voila!

Building a Content Inspiration Swipe File

Don't let a good idea slip away. A swipe file is a collection of content that inspires you, educates you, or just makes you think. Using a tool like Google Sheets, Notion, or Airtable, you can create a simple but powerful database for your content ideas.

Create columns for:

• Reel URL: Paste the link you copied here.
• Creator: Note who made the Reel.
• Topic/Trend: What is the Reel about? Is it a tutorial, a trending audio, a behind-the-scenes look?
• Your Notes: Add a comment about *why* you saved it. Was it the hook? The editing style? The call to action?
• Your Angle: How could you adapt this idea for your own brand?

Having an organized system like this turns random inspiration into a repeatable content-generation machine.

Troubleshooting: "I Can't Find the Link!"

Sometimes, things don't work as expected. Here are a couple of common issues and how to solve them.

Private Accounts

If an Instagram account is set to "Private," you won't be able to share their Reels or get a publicly accessible link. While you can copy the link if you're a follower, it will only work for other people who also follow that account. Anyone else will just see a "Content Unavailable" page. There's no way around this - it's a privacy feature working as intended.

Outdated App Version

Instagram is constantly updating its interface. If you're not seeing the "Copy Link" or "Share" buttons where they're supposed to be, the first thing to check is if your app needs an update. Head to the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android) and make sure you're running the latest version of Instagram.

Final Thoughts

Getting an Instagram Reel's URL is a simple trick, but it unlocks so much potential for your content strategy. Whether you're on a phone or computer, grabbing the link takes just a few clicks through the share menu, the three-dot icon, or your browser's address bar. Use it to share content across platforms, enrich your website, or build a killer inspiration file.

Managing all those URLs for your own content calendar can get hectic fast, moving from spreadsheets to notes to eventually posting. At Postbase, we designed our visual content calendar with exactly this chaos in mind. By focusing on a clean, drag-and-drop interface, we make it easy to plan your Reels and see how they fit with the rest of your content across all platforms. Since our tool was built for short-form video from the start, you can schedule everything in one place without the headaches.