How to Upload a Video to Instagram Reels

Uploading a video to Instagram Reels should be simple, but the process of getting it right - from the dimensions to the music to the hashtags - can feel surprisingly complex. This guide gives you the full picture. We’ll walk through every step, from preparing your video file to navigating the editing tools and optimizing your post for maximum reach, so you can share your content with confidence.

Before You Upload: Getting Your Video Reel-Ready

A great Reel starts before you even open the Instagram app. Spending a few minutes preparing your video file can make the entire uploading process smoother and dramatically improve the final quality of your content. Think of it as setting the foundation for a viral post.

The Right Dimensions and Format

Instagram Reels are designed for a vertical, full-screen mobile experience. To look your best, you need to play by their rules.

• Aspect Ratio: The required aspect ratio for Reels is 9:16. This means your video should be 1080 pixels wide by 1920 pixels tall. Shooting vertically on your phone will automatically create clips in this dimension. If you edit your footage on a computer, make sure your project settings match these dimensions. Posting a horizontal video will result in clunky black bars, immediately signaling to viewers that your content wasn't made for the platform.
• File Format: Instagram supports MP4 and MOV file types. Most modern smartphones and editing software export in these formats by default, so you generally don’t need to worry about conversion.
• Reel Length: You can upload Reels up to 90 seconds long. While you have a minute and a half to play with, remember that attention spans are short. The most successful Reels often deliver their message or hook the viewer within the first three to five seconds. Aim for brevity and impact.

Pro-Tip: Filming In-App vs. Uploading a Pre-Edited Video

You have two main options for creating your Reel: filming directly within the Instagram app or uploading video clips you’ve already recorded and edited. Neither is "better," but they serve different purposes.

• Filming In-App: This is perfect for spontaneous, in-the-moment content. It gives you direct access to Instagram’s library of real-time AR filters, effects, and original sounds. It's also the fastest way to jump on a new trend without needing to export and import footage. The downside is that you have fewer advanced editing options.
• Uploading Pre-Edited Video: This approach offers maximum creative control. Using apps like CapCut, InShot, or professional software like Adobe Premiere Pro, you can fine-tune every transition, color grade, and special effect. This is the preferred method for anyone aiming for a polished, cinematic, or highly produced feel. This is also how you can repurpose a TikTok video for Instagram Reels (just remember to remove the watermark!).

How to Upload a Video to Instagram Reels: The Step-by-Step Breakdown

Once your video is formatted and ready to go, it's time to bring it into Instagram. The interface makes it easy to get started, no matter where you are in the app.

Step 1: Open the Reels Editor

There are several ways to kick off the process of creating a new Reel:

• From the Home Screen: Tap the + icon in the top-right corner and select "Reel" from the list of content types.
• From the Reels Tab: Navigate to the Reels feed (the movie clapper icon in the bottom menu) and tap the camera icon in the top-right corner.
• From your Profile: Tap the + icon in the top-right corner and choose "Reel."
• From the Instagram Stories Camera: When in the Stories creation screen, slide the bottom menu over to "Reels".

Step 2: Select Your Video from Your Camera Roll

Once you’re in the Reels editor, you’ll see an option to upload your media. In the bottom-left corner, tap the blue `+` icon or the square preview of your camera roll. This will open your phone’s photo library.

From here, you can:

• Tap a single video clip to add it.
• To select multiple clips, tap the "Select" icon (usually looks like two overlapping squares) in the top-right corner of your gallery view. Then, tap on each clip in the order you want them to appear in your video. Tap "Next" once you’re done.

Step 3: Trim, Rearrange, and Add Clips

After selecting your clips, Instagram will take you to an initial editing screen where you can make basic adjustments before moving on. Here, you can:

• Trim a Clip: Tap on an individual clip in the timeline at the bottom. A filmstrip view will appear. Drag the yellow handles at the beginning or end of the clip to shorten it.
• Rearrange Clips: Tap and hold a clip in the timeline, then drag it left or right to reorder it.
• Add More Clips: Tap the "Add clips" button to go back to your gallery and select more footage.
• Split a Clip: To break a longer video into two parts, move the playhead to where you want the split, and tap the "Split" button. You can then insert a new clip between the two segments or treat them as separate pieces in your timeline.

Once you are happy with the basic sequence of your video, tap "Next" to enter the main Reels editor where you can add all the creative elements.

Level Up Your Reel: Adding Music, Text, and Effects

This is where you infuse personality and style into your video. The features in this step are what separate a simple video upload from an engaging, algorithm-friendly Reel that people want to share.

Choosing the Perfect Audio

Audio is half the experience on Reels. Adding music or a trending sound can significantly boost your video's visibility. Tap the music note icon to open the Music library.

• Find Trending Songs: Instagram will show you a "For You" list of recommended and trending audio. If you see a sound with an upward-pointing arrow next to it, that means it's currently popular and a good one to consider using.
• Search for Music: You can search for a specific song or artist. Tapping a song allows you to preview it and then select the specific part you want to use for your video.
• Use Saved Audio: If you hear a great sound on someone else's Reel, you can tap the sound at the bottom of their video and choose "Save audio." It will then appear in the "Saved" section of your music library.
• Business Accounts Note: If you have an Instagram Business account, your access to copyrighted music will be limited. You'll primarily have access to Instagram's library of royalty-free music and original sounds.
• Adjust Volume: After adding a sound, you can tap the ‘Edit video’ button from the main creative screen, open the control page, and adjust the volume balance between the original audio from your video clip and the music you've added. This is essential if your video has someone speaking.

Adding Text and Captions

Most people scroll through their feeds with the sound off, making on-screen text a powerful tool for grabbing attention and providing context. Tap the "Aa" icon to add text.

• You can customize the font, color, background, and alignment. You can also make text animate on-screen.
• To make text appear and disappear at specific times, add your text, then tap the text bubble that appears at the bottom of the editor. Drag the handles of its timeline to set its duration.
• Use Auto-Captions for Accessibility: To automatically generate captions for spoken audio, go to the "Stickers" icon (the smiley face) and select the "Captions" sticker. Instagram will transcribe the audio for you. You can review and edit a few words for accuracy. This is a game-changer for making your content accessible to everyone.

Using Stickers and Interactive Elements

Just like in Stories, Reels lets you add interactive elements that can skyrocket your engagement. Tap the sticker icon to see your options:

• Polls, Quizzes, and Emoji Sliders: These are amazing tools for asking your audience direct questions and getting them to physically engage with your content. The more taps and interactions your Reel gets, the more positive signals it sends to the algorithm.
• GIFs and Background Images: Add a bit of visual flair or a funny reaction with the huge GIPHY library.

The Final Stretch: Optimizing Your Reel Before you hit 'Share'

You're almost there! Your video is edited, the music is set, and the captions are ready. This last page is where you set your Reel up for discovery by the right audience.

Writing a Compelling Caption

Your caption should add context and encourage interaction. Don't just describe the video, give your viewers a reason to care and a reason to engage. Keep it concise, lead with a strong hook, and always include a Call to Action (CTA). This could be as simple as "What do you think? Let me know below!" or "Save this for later."

Harnessing the Power of Hashtags

Hashtags help Instagram categorize your content and show it to users who are interested in that topic. A smart strategy is to use a mix of a few highly relevant hashtags:

• Broad Tags (1-2): Like `#socialmediamarketing` or `#videocontent`.
• Niche Tags (2-3): Get more specific, like `#reelseditingtips` or `#smallbusinessmarketingideas`.
• Community Tags (1-2): Use tags related to your unique community, like `#instagramforrealtors` or `#creativeentrepreneur`.

Aim for around 3 to 8 targeted hashtags. The days of using 30 generic tags are behind us, quality matters far more than quantity.

Tagging, Inviting Collaborators, and Adding Location

• Tag People: Tap "Tag people" to tag other Instagram accounts featured in your video or shout them out. You can also use the "Invite collaborator" feature. If the other person accepts, the Reel will be shared on both of your profiles with both sets of followers, drastically increasing its potential reach.
• Add Location: If your Reel is tied to a specific place - a restaurant, a store, a city - add a location tag. This makes your Reel discoverable to people searching for that location.

Picking an Eye-Catching Cover Image

The cover is the thumbnail image people will see on your profile grid and in the Reels tab. Don't leave it to chance. Tap "Edit cover" to select a frame from your video or upload a custom image from your camera roll. A clean, intriguing, and well-designed cover will maintain the aesthetic of your grid and encourage more clicks.

Share vs. Save as Draft

If you're ready to go, hit the blue "Share" button! Your Reel will be published. If you're not quite ready, you have the option to "Save draft." This is an incredibly useful feature that lets you finish editing and posting at a later time. Your drafts are saved to the "Drafts" folder on your profile's Reels tab.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to upload a video to Reels is a series of simple steps, but mastering the process involves both technical understanding and creative strategy. By focusing on creating properly formatted videos, using the right creative tools, and optimizing your captions and covers, you turn a simple upload into a powerful piece of content for growing your brand.

Once you get into a rhythm, creating Reels becomes second nature, but managing a consistent content calendar can become the next challenge. That’s why we built Postbase from the ground up for the short-form video era. Our platform helps you visually plan your entire content schedule and schedule your Reels to go live at the perfect moment, so you can focus on creating great content without the constant stress of remembering when to hit publish.