How to Upload a Carousel on TikTok

TikTok's photo carousels are one of the platform’s most underrated features for telling a story, sharing valuable tips, or just showcasing a collection of moments without the pressure of creating a perfect video. This guide walks you through exactly how to upload a photo carousel on TikTok, shares some actionable strategies to make your carousels stand out, and gives you a few ideas to get started.

What Exactly Is a TikTok Carousel?

A TikTok carousel, sometimes called a Photo Mode post, lets you share a series of static images that users can swipe through horizontally. Unlike a video slideshow, where the user is a passive viewer, carousels are interactive - the user controls the pace by swiping. This simple change in format can lead to surprisingly high engagement because it encourages active participation instead of just passive scrolling.

Brands and creators love them because they are perfect for:

• Tutorials and Guides: Break down a complex process one step at a time, from a recipe to a software tutorial.
• Storytelling: Walk your audience through an event, a journey, or a personal transformation.
• Listicles: Share "Top 5" lists, resource recommendations, or "Dos and Don'ts."
• Before and Afters: Visually showcase a dramatic change, whether it's a home renovation, a fitness journey, or a rebrand.
• Photo Dumps: Offer a curated glimpse into a trip, event, or a day in the life.

In a feed dominated by fast-paced video, a well-crafted carousel can be a refreshing change of pace that stops the scroll and holds a user’s attention longer.

How to Upload a Carousel on TikTok (The Step-by-Step Guide)

Creating a carousel is straightforward once you know where to look. The option is tucked away in the creation screen, and it's easy to miss if you aren't familiar with it. Here’s how to do it in just a few steps.

Step 1: Open TikTok and Tap the '+' Button

Just like you're starting any new post, open the TikTok app and tap the + icon at the bottom center of the screen. This will open the camera and creation interface where you can either record a video or upload content from your camera roll.

Step 2: Switch From Video to Photo Mode

This is the most important step and the one most people miss. At the bottom of the creation screen, you'll see options for video length like "15s," "60s," and "3m." Next to these, you'll find a "Photo" option. Tap "Photo" to switch from video mode to carousel mode.

Ignore the prominent, red "Upload" button on the right for a moment, selecting "Photo" mode is what activates the carousel feature, allowing you to choose multiple images from your gallery.

Step 3: Select Your Images From Your Camera Roll

Once you’re in Photo Mode, the interface will look similar to the video uploader, but now it’s optimized for images. Tap the "Upload" icon on the bottom right of the screen to open your device's camera roll.

From here, you can select multiple images. Simply tap on the photos you want to include in your carousel. A number will appear on each photo indicating its order in the sequence. You can choose different photos from different folders - just navigate as needed and keep tapping. When you’re finished, hit "Next" at the bottom right corner.

Step 4: Add Music and Final Edits

Now, you’ll be taken to the editing screen where your carousel comes to life. This part of the process is very similar to editing a video.

• Add Music: This is a must. Tap “Add sound” at the top of the screen to browse through TikTok’s extensive music library. Choosing a popular or trending sound can significantly increase your carousel’s reach. The song you select will play in the background as users swipe through your images.
• Edit Your Photos: You can apply filters across all your images to create a cohesive aesthetic. You can also add text overlays, stickers, and other effects. An important note about text: in Photo Mode, text you add will appear on every single slide of your carousel. If you want unique text on each image, you’ll need to add it using a third-party app like Canva or Instagram Stories before you upload the images to TikTok.

Once you’re happy with the music and edits, tap "Next."

Step 5: Write Your Caption, Add Hashtags, and Post

You’re at the finish line! On this final screen, you can:

• Write a compelling caption: Your caption should add context, ask a question, or encourage discussion.
• Add relevant hashtags: Use a mix of broad, high-traffic hashtags (#fyp) and niche ones relevant to your content.
• Tag people: If your carousel features other users or brands, be sure to tag them.
• Choose a cover: Select which slide will act as the "thumbnail" for your carousel in the feed.
• Adjust privacy settings: Decide who can see your post, whether comments are allowed, and if duetting is enabled.

Once everything is set, you can either hit "Post" to publish it immediately or save it as a "Draft" to post later.

Pro-Tips for Creating Engaging TikTok Carousels

Just knowing how to upload a carousel is half the battle. Making them engaging is what drives views and followers. Here are a few strategies to take your photo posts from good to great.

Craft a Compelling "Hook" on the First Slide

The first slide of your carousel is your thumbnail and your caption combined. It has one job: make someone stop scrolling and start swiping. Use a bold statement, a thought-provoking question, or text that hints at a valuable story or piece of information. For example, instead of a simple title like "My Morning Routine," try something like, "The 5 AM habit that changed my life."

Tell a Complete Story Across Your Slides

Think of your carousel as a mini-storyboard. Each slide should build on the last, guiding the viewer toward a conclusion. People are naturally curious, if you set up a problem or a premise on the first slide, they will be more likely to swipe through to find the solution or payoff at the end.

Use a Simple, Scannable "Information Gap" Structure

An information gap is what creates curiosity. The first slide presents a piece of information that feels incomplete, compelling the user to swipe to get the full story. Good templates for slide one are:

• "You’re using [Product] all wrong. Here’s why..."
• "The #1 mistake people make when..."
• "I thought [Belief] was true, but then I learned..."

Each subsequent slide fills in the gaps, leading to a satisfying conclusion.

Keep Text and Design Readable and Consistent

While TikTok allows you to add text, a better user experience often comes from pre-designing your slides in an app like Canva. This allows you to place text strategically on each individual slide and maintain brand consistency with your own fonts and colors. Keep the text brief and easy to read - think one main idea per slide.

Call for Action on the Final Slide

Don’t leave your viewers hanging. The last slide is your opportunity to guide them to their next action. Use it to ask for a follow, prompt a comment with a specific question, or encourage them to save the post for later. A clear call-to-action keeps the engagement going even after they’ve finished swiping.

Creative Ideas for Your Next TikTok Carousel

Feeling inspired? Here are some tried-and-true ideas you can adapt for your own niche:

• Step-by-Step Tutorials: A 5-slide recipe for the perfect iced coffee, a guide on how to style a specific fashion item, or a visual walkthrough of a Photoshop trick.
• "Point of View" Stories: Document an experience from a unique perspective, like "POV: you're visiting our city's new coffee shop" or "POV: you're behind the scenes at a photoshoot."
• Mini Case Studies: A great format for businesses. "How we helped a client get X result," with each slide explaining a step in the process.
• Lists and Rankings: "My Top 3 Podcasts for entrepreneurs," "5 must-watch movies this weekend," or "Ranking every taco spot in town."
• Educational Content Deep-Dives: "Breaking down the new Instagram algorithm," "A timeline of historical events," or "Explaining a scientific concept simply."

Final Thoughts

TikTok carousels offer a fresh opportunity to connect with your audience by combining the visual appeal of static images with the storytelling power of the platform's trending audio. By following these steps and blending them with your creative ideas, you can use this format to stop the scroll and build a stronger connection with your community.

As you begin planning carousels alongside your videos, staying organized becomes more and more important. We built Postbase to make that simpler, giving you a clean, visual calendar to manage all your TikTok, Reels, and Shorts in one spot. It allows you to see your entire content strategy at a glance and schedule posts reliably, so you can spend less time juggling platforms and more time creating great content.