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Instagram Reels video specs

Make Reels 9:16. You can record reels up to 20 minutes, but Instagram won't recommend reels over 3 minutes to new audiences; captions take 2,200 characters, and Meta's Reels safe zone keeps the top 14%, bottom 35% and 6% each side clear.

Every number links to Instagram Reels's own page · Checked October 2026

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Video file

SpecValue
Aspect ratio9:16 recommended[2]0.01:1 to 10:1 accepted via the API; 9:16 avoids cropping or blank space
Max width1920 px[2]API publishing
File formatsMOV or MP4[2]moov atom at the front, no edit lists
Video codecHEVC or H.264, progressive scan, closed GOP, 4:2:0[2]
Frame rate23–60 fps[2]
Video bitrateVBR, 25 Mbps maximum[2]
AudioAAC, 48 kHz max, mono or stereo, 128 kbps[2]
Max file size300 MB[2]API publishing; no in-app figure published

Length

SpecValue
Max length (in the app)20 minutes[1]one or more clips adding up to 20 minutes
Recommended to new audiencesReels up to 3 minutes[3]longer reels still post but aren't recommended to non-followers
Length via the API3 seconds to 15 minutes[2]

Text and captions

SpecValue
Caption length2,200 characters[2]
Hashtags per caption30[2]
@ tags per caption20[2]

Safe zone

SpecValue
Keep clear of text and logosTop 14%, bottom 35%, 6% on each side[4]from Meta's Reels ad specs; covers the profile icon and call-to-action

What Instagram Reels doesn't publish

Creators ask about these, but there's no official number. We leave them out rather than guess.

  • Maximum file size for reels uploaded in the app
  • Minimum length for reels recorded in the app
  • A safe zone for organic reels separate from Meta's Reels ad guidance

Exporting for Instagram Reels

Export 9:16

1080x1920 fits the 9:16 ratio Meta recommends and stays under the 1920 px width cap.

Keep it under 3 minutes to grow

Reels can run to 20 minutes, but only reels up to 3 minutes are recommended to people who don't follow you.

Respect the safe zone

Leave the top 14%, bottom 35% and 6% on each side free of captions and key text. On a 1080x1920 frame that's roughly the top 270 px and bottom 670 px.

Encode conservatively

H.264 or HEVC in an MP4, 23–60 fps, video bitrate at or under 25 Mbps, AAC audio at 48 kHz or less.

Mimic exports vertical 9:16 video with captions and titles kept inside the apps' safe zones and off the speaker's face.

Sources

  1. [1] Instagram Help Center, Record a reel on Instagram. Checked October 2026.
  2. [2] Meta for Developers, IG User Media reference (Reel specifications). Checked October 2026.
  3. [3] Instagram Creators blog, Finding success on reels in 2025. Checked October 2026.
  4. [4] Meta Ads Guide, Awareness Video Ad Specs on Instagram Reels. Checked October 2026.

Platforms change limits without notice. Check the linked page before a big campaign.

Questions

How long can an Instagram Reel be?

Up to 20 minutes when recorded or uploaded in the app. Reels over 3 minutes won't be recommended to new audiences.

What size is an Instagram Reel?

Meta recommends 9:16, with a maximum width of 1920 px for reels published through its API.

How long can a Reels caption be?

2,200 characters, with up to 30 hashtags and 20 @ tags.

Where should I put text on a Reel?

Inside Meta's safe zone: keep the top 14%, bottom 35% and 6% on each side free of text and logos.

What frame rate does Instagram accept for Reels?

23 to 60 fps.

Made for Instagram Reels, edited by Mimic.

Raw clip in. Captions, cuts, hook and product shots out.

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