How to Shorten a Video on Instagram for Stories

Got a fantastic video for your Instagram Story that’s just a little too long? You don't have to abandon great content simply because it doesn't fit the 60-second window. Trimming your video down is a quick fix and doing it effectively can actually make your content even more engaging. This guide will show you exactly how to shorten a video for your Instagram Story using three different methods, from the ultra-simple in-app tool to professional desktop software, so you can always post your best clips.

Understanding Instagram Story Video Limits

First, let's clear up the rules. For a while, Instagram Stories were made up of 15-second segments. If you uploaded a minute-long video, the app would automatically chop it into four separate Stories. That has changed. Now, you can upload a continuous video up to 60 seconds long to a single Instagram Story without any segmentation.

So, why is trimming still a necessary skill? Here are a few common reasons:

• Your video is over the 60-second limit. This is the most obvious reason. Instagram will force you to trim anything longer than one minute before you can post it.
• The best part is in the middle. Maybe the most exciting 30 seconds of a three-minute video happens right in the center. You’ll need to cut out the beginning and end to isolate that high-impact moment.
• Better pacing keeps viewers watching. Let's be honest, attention spans on social media are short. A fast-paced, 20-second clip can often perform better and hold more attention than a slower, 60-second video. Shortening your video lets you get straight to the action.

Method 1: Using the Instagram App’s Built-in Trimmer

For simple, straightforward trims, you don’t need anything other than the Instagram app itself. It’s the fastest way to get the job done if you just need to snip a little off the start or finish.

When to Use This Method

This approach is perfect when your only goal is to make the video shorter by trimming the ends. It's fast, convenient, and you don't have to download or learn any new apps.

Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s how to trim your video directly in the Instagram Story editor:

1. Open Instagram Stories: Launch the Instagram app and swipe right from your feed to open the Story camera.
2. Select Your Video: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access your phone’s camera roll. Find and tap the video you want to upload.
3. Access the Trimmer: Instagram will load your video into the Story editor. If your footage is longer than 60 seconds, a video trimmer interface will automatically appear at the bottom of the screen. If it's shorter but you still want to trim it, tap the little video reel icon with a right-facing arrow (usually second from the left in the top menu) to open the filmstrip view.
4. Trim the Clip: You’ll see a filmstrip view of your video. To shorten it, simply tap and drag the handles on the left and right ends of the filmstrip. The left handle adjusts the start time, and the right handle adjusts the end time. The duration of the new, trimmed clip will be displayed.
5. Finalize and Post: Once you're happy with the length, tap "Done". You’ll be taken back to the main Story editor where you can add stickers, text, music, or polls before hitting "Your Story" to post.

Limitations of the Native Trimmer

The built-in tool is great for its speed, but it has some clear drawbacks. You can only trim the beginning and the end of a clip. There's no way to cut out a section from the middle, combine multiple clips, or add any kind of transitions.

Method 2: Using a Mobile Video Editing App for More Control

When you need more powerful editing capabilities than what Instagram offers, a dedicated mobile app is your best bet. Maybe you need to cut out a distracting moment in the middle of a clip or piece together two great moments into one epic Story. These free or low-cost apps give you that next level of control without being overly complicated.

Why Use a Third-Party App?

• Remove middle sections: The biggest advantage is the ability to “split” a clip and delete unwanted parts from the middle, not just the ends.
• Combine clips: Easily stitch together multiple short videos into one seamless Story or Reel.
• More creative freedom: These apps often offer better control over text placement, music syncing, and transitions.
• Resize your video: If your video isn't already formatted for stories (a 9:16 aspect ratio), these apps make it simple to resize, crop, and reframe your content for a perfect full-screen experience.

Popular Mobile Apps for Trimming Videos

• CapCut: Made by the same company as TikTok, CapCut is incredibly powerful and completely free. It’s fantastic for trend-based edits, precise trimming, and features like auto-captions.
• InShot: A long-time favorite for social media creators, InShot has a super intuitive interface that makes trimming, splitting, and resizing video a breeze. It’s an excellent all-rounder for general-purpose editing.

Step-by-Step Guide (Using InShot as an Example)

Let's walk through how to shorten a video by cutting out a middle section using InShot.

1. Start a New Project: Download and open InShot. Tap the Video button on the main screen and select the video you want to edit from your camera roll.
2. Set the Aspect Ratio: Before you start editing, make sure your video will look great on Stories. Tap the Canvas icon on the left of the toolbar. Select the 9:16 ratio (it usually has an Instagram icon next to it). You can then pinch and zoom to adjust how your video is framed within the vertical format.
3. Find the Section to Cut: Play the video in the timeline and pause it right at the beginning of the section you want to remove.
4. Split the Clip: With the playhead at your chosen spot, tap the Split tool in the toolbar. This will cut your video into two separate clips at that exact point.
5. Make the Second Split: Now, drag the timeline until you find the end of the section you want to remove. Pause it there and tap Split again. You have now completely isolated the unwanted footage as its own clip in the middle.
6. Delete the Unwanted Section: Tap on the middle clip you just isolated - it will become highlighted with a white border. Next, tap the Delete button in the toolbar. It's gone! The two remaining clips will automatically snap together.
7. Export the Video: Once you're done, tap the Export icon in the top right corner. For Instagram, a resolution of 1080p and a frame rate of 30 fps is a great standard. Tap Save, and the finished video will be ready in your phone's camera roll.

From there, you can open Instagram and upload the perfectly shortened clip directly to your Story.

Method 3: Professional Trimming with Desktop Software

For brands, businesses, and professional creators who demand pixel-perfect quality and advanced control, a desktop video editor is the way to move. This method is ideal when you’re repurposing content from a longer source, like a YouTube video, a webinar, or a podcast clip, and need to produce a polished, high-quality final product.

When to Go Desktop

Editing on a desktop might seem like overkill for a Story, but it makes sense when you need to:

• Perform complex edits like color correction, audio mixing, or advanced graphic overlays.
• Repurpose one long video into many short clips efficiently.
• Maintain strict brand consistency with specific fonts, colors, and motion graphics that mobile apps can't replicate.

Popular Desktop Editors

There are great options for every budget and skill level:

• iMovie (Mac) or Clipchamp (Windows): Free, beginner-friendly options that are already on your computer.
• DaVinci Resolve: An unbelievably powerful, professional-grade editor that is completely free to use.
• Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro: The industry-standard subscription-based tools used by most professional editors.

Workflow for Shortening a Video on Desktop

The basic logic is the same across all platforms:

1. Set Up a Vertical Project: Create a new project or sequence with a vertical aspect ratio of 1080x1920 pixels instead of the standard widescreen (1920x1080).
2. Import and Cut: Drop your long-form video into the timeline. Use the "blade" or "razor" tool to make cuts at the start and end of the segment you want to feature in your Story. Delete the rest.
3. Refine Your Edit: This is where desktop shines. You can fine-tune every frame, layer in background music, and add precise graphic overlays.
4. Export for social media: When exporting, use settings that work well for social media. Typically, this means an H.264 codec in an MP4 container format.
5. Transfer to Your Phone: Getting the video from your computer to your phone is the final step. You can use AirDrop (for Apple devices), Google Drive, a USB cable, or Dropbox.

Bonus: Best Practices for High-Impact Story Videos

Shortening your video is just the first step. To make it truly effective, keep these principles in mind:

• Hook viewers instantly. You have about three seconds to capture someone's attention before they tap away. Start your video with the most visually interesting or intriguing moment.
• Tell a micro-story. No matter how short, your clip should have a clear point - a quick tip, a funny moment, or a transformation. Don't just show a random segment of something longer.
• Use native stickers wisely. After uploading your trimmed video, add interactive elements like polls, quizzes, or question stickers in the Instagram app to drive active engagement.
• Add captions. Many people watch Stories with the sound off. Tapping the "Captions" sticker in the Story editor will automatically transcribe your audio into on-screen text, making your content more accessible and watchable for everyone.

Final Thoughts

Mastering a few simple ways to shorten a video opens up a lot of possibilities for your Instagram Stories. Whether you’re making a quick trim right in the app, splicing clips together on your phone, or crafting polished shorts on your desktop, the goal remains the same: grab your audience’s attention and deliver your message quickly and effectively.

At our company, we believe creating awesome social content shouldn't fight you every step of the way. Once you have your perfectly trimmed video ready, the next step is getting it into your content plan. We designed Postbase with a visual-first calendar so you can drag and drop your polished videos, see your entire content strategy at a glance, and feel confident knowing when all your hard work is going live across all your platforms.