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Instagram has changed the way that we share, with Instagram Stories being among the quickest-growing brand, influencer, and user tools.
Whether you’re the everyday user posting your drab life or the company promoting your products, knowing how long Instagram stories last — and compare to other forms of video — is the secret to taking your content strategy to its fullest potential.
Instagram Story Length
As of 2025, Instagram Stories are up to 60 seconds long for a single video. Previously, stories would be automatically split into 15-second clips, but Instagram has now improved this feature to provide seamless playback for up to one minute per story with no jumps.
That is:
- You can publish a single uncut 60-second video as a single part of a narrative.
- In case your video is just a bit longer than 60 seconds, Instagram will split automatically into sequential stories.
Key Points:
- Formatted video includes: MP4 and MOV are supported.
- Highest resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels.
- Largest file size: 4GB.
- Aspect Ratio: Ideal at 9:16.
There are several methods for posting videos on Instagram, and each has some restrictions regarding how long and best used they can be.
Here’s the comparison:
1. Live Videos
- Up to: 4 hours per session.
- Best used for: Live events, Q&A sessions, behind-the-scenes content.
- Availability: Viewable in the Stories stream during live and can be saved to IGTV after session closure.
2. Story Videos
- Duration: Up to 60 seconds per post.
- Best for: Bite-sized updates, announcements, daily highlights.
- Visibility: Only visible for 24 hours unless Highlights is saved.
3. Video Posts (Feed Videos)
- Length: 3 seconds to 10 minutes, and 60 minutes Vfor larger verified accounts through desktop upload.
- Best for: More sophisticated and longer-term content.
- Visibility: Stays on your profile until deleted.
4. Reels
- Length: Maximum of 90 seconds (and, for some users, longer for some).
- Most appropriate for: More video-like or longer content with features like music overlay and editing.
- Accessibility: Accessible in the Reels tab and cross-posted to Stories and the feed.
5. Video Ads
- Story Ads: Up to 120 seconds, best 5–15 seconds.
- Feed Video Ads: Up tho 60 minutes.
- Reels Ads: The same as Reels (typically up to 90 seconds).
How to Edit Instagram Video Length?
Other times, your original video is not in the correct format. Here’s how to edit video length on your videos for Instagram Stories:
1. Trimming Videos Within Instagram
- Trimming can be done when posting a video.
- Touch the video preview → Trim the clip by using the scissors icon.
- Handy for cutting down to 60 seconds or less.
2. Testing Third-Party Video Editing Apps
InShot, CapCut, or Adobe Premiere Rush are applications that make accurate cutting and editing possible. Cutting, cropping, and stylizing your videos to the 9:16 aspect ratio is a cakewalk.
3. Splitting Longer Videos into Multiple Segments
You may cut the video into nicely timed Story-sized chunks if it is more than 60 seconds long and utilize apps such as CutStory, Story Splitter, or Continual.
7 Awesome Instagram Story Making Tips
Making awesome Stories involves something more than just a video. Here is how you can make your content better:
1. Make It Aesthetically Pleasing with Aesthetic Filters
Leverage Instagram’s own filters or AR effects to beautify your stories.
2. Make It Interactive with Immersive Features
Polls, quizzes, sliders, and questions get people to engage, and the engagement level boosts.
3. Make It Easy to Read with Legible Text
Steer clear of text-laden frames. Employ bold, readable fonts with good contrast so that the message becomes evident.
4. Add Captions
The majority of viewers view Stories with the sound off. With captions, your message is communicated.
5. Add Music
Atmosphere is created through music. Utilize the music library in Instagram or add free music.
6. When to Post for Visibility
Posting at a time between the peak hours (e.g., 9 AM–11 AM or 7 PM–9 PM) ensures it will be more visible.
7. Use Instagram’s Create Mode for Text and GIFs
Suitable for posts or quotes. Make use of GIFs, emojis, stickers, and animated text to generate excitement.
Is Long Video Better than Short Video?
Longer Videos (30–60 seconds)
Why It Works
- Most suitable for storytelling, tutorials, product demonstration, or behind-the-scenes.
- More context and value can be conveyed.
- More interaction is invited by interested viewers.
Shorter Videos (Less than 15 seconds)
Why It Works
- Best suited for extremely short attention grabbers or teaser videos.
- More likely to capture full viewer attention.
- Best suited for the mobile user fast scrolling through content.
Bottom line: Use a mix of both depending on your type of content and audience preference.
Instagram Stories Tips
In an effort to get the best out of your use of Instagram Stories, implement these real-life strategies:
1. Format Optimization
Shoot vertically (9:16), keep the key points at the center to prevent cropping.
2. Relax
Stories must be genuine and authentic. Don’t over-produce them.
3. Make Use of Instagram Add-ons
Use stickers, countdowns, emojis, swipe-up links (if eligible accounts), and product tags.
4. Convert Your Top Story Videos into Highlights
Keep your best story content on your profile with Highlights so that they won’t be lost after 24 hours.
5. Share Story Videos You’re In
Create your community by sharing UGC (User-Generated Content). Makes it more authentic and believable.
FAQs
1. Can you post longer than 60-second stories on Instagram?
Yes — but not in a single long video. Instagram will break up automatically videos that exceed 60 seconds into a series of consecutive story clips.
2. How can I post a 90-second story on Instagram?
Record or upload a 90-second video, and Instagram will break it up automatically into two pieces (60 seconds + 30 seconds). Break up in advance with video editing software for more control.
3. How do I post a 30-second story on Instagram?
Don’t crop — just post your 30-second video straight away. Instagram will post it as a single continuous story slide.
4. How do I include a 1-minute story on Instagram?
Post the entire 60-second video, and it’ll play as a single piece of continuous content in your Story, thanks to the new feature.
Instagram Story Length
Instagram Stories continue to be a great medium for which to share short, bite-sized, and visually heavy content.
Whether you are producing shorter moments of entertainment or longer narrative content, having the knowledge that you have the control to find time limits and how to edit and organize your videos puts you ahead.
From trimming clips and using third-party tools to optimizing your content with stickers, captions, and music, Instagram offers creators endless possibilities.
Use the best practices in this guide to keep your audience entertained, informed, and coming back for more — one story at a time.
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Nabamita Sinha
Nabamita Sinha loves to write about lifestyle and pop-culture. In her free time, she loves to watch movies and TV series and experiment with food. Her favorite niche topics are fashion, lifestyle, travel, and gossip content. Her style of writing is creative and quirky.
