How to make a Reel on Instagram
On this page
To make an Instagram Reel, open Instagram, tap + and choose Reel, then record or pick a video from your gallery. Trim it, add text, captions and audio in the editor, tap Next, write a caption, pick a cover, and Share. Reels are vertical (9:16) and can be up to 3 minutes long.
Step by step
- Open Instagram and tap +, then Reel.
- Record by holding the capture button, or tap the gallery to upload clips.
- Edit: trim clips, reorder, adjust speed.
- Add text and captions. Use the Captions sticker for auto captions, or burn captions in before uploading (see below).
- Add audio: trending sounds help discovery, but talking Reels usually work best with your own voice clear.
- Tap Next, write your caption, add a few hashtags, choose a cover, tag people and location.
- Tap Share.
Format rules
| Recommended | |
|---|---|
| Shape | 9:16 vertical, 1080 x 1920 |
| Length | Up to 3 minutes; most talking Reels do best at 20 to 60 seconds |
| Safe area | Keep text away from the bottom and right edges, where Instagram's caption and buttons sit |
Captions
Many people watch Reels muted, so captions are close to mandatory for talking videos. Options:
- Instagram's Captions sticker: automatic, limited styling.
- CapCut: auto captions with more style. See how to add captions in CapCut.
- Burned in automatically when you cut clips from long videos, with ClipFlame. See the Instagram Reels maker.
Making Reels from long videos
If you record podcasts, webinars or YouTube videos, your Reels are already recorded. Pick the moments that make sense alone, cut them to 9:16 with the speaker centred, and caption them. By hand, follow our long video to short video guide. Automatically, ClipFlame does the picking, cutting, framing and captions from one upload.
Tips that hold viewers
- Say the point first. The first second decides the scroll.
- One idea per Reel.
- Clean audio beats trending audio for talking content.
- Post consistently. See our short-form video strategy.
Common questions
How long can an Instagram Reel be?
Up to 3 minutes in the Reels editor.
Should I post Reels to Facebook too?
You can share Reels to Facebook. See how to add captions to Facebook Reels.
Can I schedule Reels?
Yes, with Meta Business Suite or a scheduling tool.