How to Increase Instagram Reels Time Limit

Looking to create Instagram Reels longer than the standard 90 seconds? You're in the right place. This guide walks you through the current time limits, shows you exactly how to maximize them, and explains powerful workarounds for sharing longer video stories that still capture the reach and engagement of Reels.

Understanding Instagram's Current Reels Time Limit

First, let's get clear on the official rule. As of today, the maximum length for a single Instagram Reel created within the app or uploaded as one continuous video is 90 seconds. Instagram has steadily increased this limit over the years - from the original 15 seconds to 30, then 60, and now 90. This trend shows that the platform recognizes a growing appetite for slightly longer, more in-depth short-form content.

So, if your goal is to publish a single, standard Reel that appears natively in the Reels feed, 90 seconds is your hard ceiling. Any video file longer than that will require you to trim it down before you can post it. But don't worry, that’s not where the story ends. While you can't post a 5-minute Reel, you can absolutely post a 5-minute video on Instagram that gets discovered just like one.

How to Post a Full 90-Second Instagram Reel: A Step-by-Step Guide

Before moving on to longer formats, you need to be comfortable using the maximum available time. Creating engaging 90-second Reels gives you more room for tutorials, storytelling, or detailed snippets. Mastering this length is a fundamental skill.

Here’s how to do it, step by step:

1. Open the Reels Editor: Open your Instagram app, tap the '+' icon at the bottom of the screen, and select "Reel." Alternatively, you can swipe right from your home feed to open the camera and select "Reel" from the bottom menu.
2. Set Your Time Limit: On the left side of the screen, you’ll see several icons. Look for one that shows a circle with a number inside (like 15, 30, or 60). This is the length toggle. Tap it until it displays “90” to set your recording canvas to the maximum ninety seconds.
3. Create Your Content: You have two primary options here:
   • Record Natively: Press and hold the record button to capture clips directly in the app. You can record one long single take or multiple smaller clips that add up to 90 seconds.
   • Upload from Camera Roll: Swipe up or tap the camera roll icon in the bottom-left corner. You can select a pre-edited video that is 90 seconds or less, or you can select multiple shorter clips to stitch together.
4. Edit and Enhance: Once your clips are in the timeline, it's time to add your creative touch. This is where you can trim individual clips, add popular audio from Instagram's music library, record a voiceover, apply filters and effects, and use the text tool to add captions or dynamic on-screen typography.
5. Finalize and Share: After editing, tap "Next." Here, you’ll write your caption, add relevant hashtags, tag other accounts, and add a location. You can also choose your cover photo. Once everything looks good, tap "Share" to post it to the Reels feed.

Beyond 90 Seconds: 3 Creative Strategies for Longer Video Content

So, you have a 3-minute tutorial, a 5-minute client testimonial, or a 10-minute product demo. How do you share that without trimming it down to a fraction of its length? You can't post it as a single "Reel," but you can use other Instagram formats that function almost identically and reach a similar audience.

Here are the best ways to get your longer content seen.

Strategy 1: Use Instagram Video (The "Reel Preview" Method)

This is easily the most powerful and effective method for posting videos longer than 90 seconds while still getting the discovery benefits of the Reels feed. A few years ago, Instagram combined its regular feed videos and IGTV into one format, simply called Instagram Video.

Videos published this way can be up to 60 minutes long and live on your profile grid. The magic happens during the posting process, where you can opt to share a preview of your video to the Reels tab.

How It Works:

1. Start a Regular Post: Tap the ‘+’ icon on your home screen and select "Post." Do not select "Reel."
2. Select Your Long Video: Choose your video file from your camera roll. This can be 3 minutes, 10 minutes, or longer. Tap "Next."
3. Find the "Share to Reels" Option: As you go through the publishing flow, Instagram will show you a screen to write your caption and edit settings. On this screen, look for an option that says “Share to Reels.” This may also appear as “Share preview to Reels” or be automatically enabled. This is the most important step.
4. Edit Your Preview: Instagram will then let you create a 60- to 90-second preview clip from your longer video. You can drag the selector to choose the most compelling part of your video to act as the hook. You can also edit the cover photo that will appear on your main profile grid vs. the one that appears in the Reels tab.
5. Publish Your Video: Once you publish, the 90-second clip will appear and autoplay in the Reels feed for new audiences. If they are hooked, a "Watch full video" button appears, which takes them to the full-length video post to continue watching. It’s the best of both worlds: Reels-style discovery with long-form depth.

Strategy 2: The Multi-part Reel Series

If you prefer to keep your content exclusively in the native Reels format, the "series" approach is your best bet. This strategy involves breaking your longer narrative into a series of digestible 90-second chapters.

How It Works:

• Plan Your Story Arc: Before you even start filming, map out your entire video and identify logical breaking points. A 5-minute video can easily be split into three 90-second parts, with a little trimming. End each part on a cliffhanger or a promise of what's coming next to encourage viewers to watch the next installment.
• Label Your Parts Clearly: Use on-screen text to label your videos clearly. For example: "How to Bake the Perfect Sourdough (Part 1/3)," "How to Bake the Perfect Sourdough (Part 2/3)," and so on. This manages expectations and lets people know it's part of a series.
• Direct Viewers in Captions and Comments: In the caption of Part 1, write something like, "Part 2 is up on our profile now!" In the caption for Part 2, you can say, "If you missed it, check our profile for Part 1!" You can also pin a comment on each Reel directing viewers to the next or previous part.

Strategy 3: Go Live and Share the Replay

Looking for a way to share very long, unedited content? Instagram Live allows you to broadcast for up to four hours. Afterward, you can share the entire broadcast as a video replay to your profile.

How It Works:

This is perfect for longer, more interactive formats where a raw, unedited feel is an advantage.

• Perfect for Interactive Content: Q&A sessions, interviews with guests, live tutorials, product unboxings, or "behind the scenes" event coverage work brilliantly for this format.
• No Editing Required: The main benefit is the lack of post-production. You go live, you end the broadcast, and you share it. It's the fastest way to get hours of content onto your profile.
• Share the Replay: After your live session concludes, you'll be given the option to "Share to Profile." This will post the entire video to your feed, where your followers can watch it for as long as you choose to keep it up.

Bonus Tips for Making Longer Videos Feel Shorter

Regardless of which method you choose, holding a viewer's attention for more than 90 seconds is a real challenge. You must earn their time. Here are a few best practices to keep them engaged:

• Hook Them Immediately: The first three seconds determine if someone keeps scrolling. Start with a bold statement, a surprising visual, or the final result of your tutorial. Don't waste time on a slow introduction.
• Use Constant Pattern Interrupts: Don't just rely on a single, continuous shot. A long talking-head video can be boring. Use a mix of:
  • On-screen text callouts to highlight key points.
  • Zoom effects to add emphasis.
  • B-roll footage (supplemental clips) to illustrate what you're talking about.
  • Stickers and sound effects to keep the energy up.
• Tell a Cohesive Story: Your video needs a clear beginning, middle, and end. Whether it's a tutorial, a transformation, or a personal story, guide your audience on a clear path so they know what to expect and why they should stick around.

Final Thoughts

In short, while you can't officially upload a single Reel longer than 90 seconds, you have excellent creative workarounds. By leveraging Instagram Video with Reels previews, creating multi-part series, or sharing Live replays, you can effectively deliver longer, more detailed stories without sacrificing the potential for discovery.

Planning this kind of multi-platform video strategy can get complicated fast. When we're juggling a long-form video, its 90-second Reels preview, and a few promotional Stories all tied to the same campaign, having a visual calendar makes all the difference. We built Postbase to help creators and marketers see their entire content strategy in one place, making it simple to plan, schedule, and execute campaigns from a single dashboard without the headache.