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Quick answer: open Instagram, tap +, choose Reel, record or upload a vertical video, edit it, tap Next, add a caption, cover, tags and location, then tap Share. That's it. The details below help your Reel look right and reach more people.
What you need before you post
- A vertical video in 9:16. Instagram accepts other ratios, but 9:16 fills the screen. See Reels size and safe zones.
- A clear first second: the hook decides whether people keep watching. See hooks for brands.
- A caption idea and up to five relevant hashtags.
- A cover image if you care about your profile grid.
How to post a Reel, step by step
1. Start a new Reel
Tap the + button at the top or bottom of the app (its position varies by version) and choose Reel. You can also swipe to the camera and select Reel.
2. Record or upload
Hold the record button to film, or tap the gallery icon to upload clips from your phone. You can combine several clips. Instagram's help pages say you can record and edit Reels of up to 20 minutes in the app.
3. Edit
Tap the arrow to open the editor. Here you can trim clips, add music or a voiceover, add text, stickers and effects, and adjust timing. Keep text away from the bottom and right edges, where Instagram's buttons sit.
4. Add audio
Tap the music icon to pick a track. Business accounts have a more limited music library; see trending audio for business accounts.
5. Write your caption
Tap Next. Write a caption that adds context, uses words people search for, and ends with one clear call to action. Instagram limits posts and Reels to five hashtags. See caption examples.
6. Choose a cover
Tap Edit cover to pick a frame or upload an image. A consistent cover style keeps your grid tidy. See Reels cover design.
7. Tag people, products and location
Tag collaborators, products (if you have Instagram Shopping) and a location. Location tags can help people find your Reel in local searches.
8. Check Advanced settings
Open Advanced settings to turn on auto-generated captions, hide like counts, or turn off comments. Make sure Share to Feed is on if you want the Reel on your main grid.
9. Share or schedule
Tap Share to post now. Professional accounts can schedule a Reel from the same screen, or you can use a scheduling tool. See how to schedule Instagram Reels.
Posting from a computer
You can also create a Reel on Instagram's website: click Create, upload your video, crop to 9:16, add a caption and share. Editing options are more limited on desktop, so many people edit in an app first and upload the finished video.
Posting a Reel vs a Story vs a post
| Format | Best for | How long it stays |
|---|---|---|
| Reel | Reaching new people | Stays on your profile |
| Story | Talking to existing followers | 24 hours, unless saved to Highlights |
| Carousel | Saves and step-by-step detail | Stays on your profile |
For more, see Reels vs Stories.
Common posting problems and fixes
- Reel option missing: update the app, restart it, and check you're not using an old version or a restricted account.
- Upload stuck: switch to Wi-Fi, close other apps, and try a smaller file. MP4 with H.264 video is the safest format.
- Blurry quality: check the app's upload-quality setting and upload the original file rather than a compressed copy.
- Music unavailable: business accounts can't use every track; pick from the available library or use original audio.
- Wrong crop: export at 1080 × 1920 so nothing gets cut off.
After you post
- Reply to early comments in the first hour.
- Share it to your Story to tell followers it's live.
- Check insights after a few days: watch time, sends and saves say more than views. See Reels analytics.
- Fix the caption or cover if needed; you can edit those after posting. See can you edit a Reel after posting.
Tips for your first ten Reels
- Post consistently instead of in bursts. See how often to post Reels.
- Keep most Reels short and focused on one idea. See how long Reels should be.
- Try a few formats and repeat the ones that work.
- Use Trial Reels to test ideas with non-followers. See Trial Reels.
FAQ
Why can't I post a Reel?
Usually an outdated app, a poor connection or an unsupported file. Update the app, restart, and try again on Wi-Fi.
Can I post a Reel from my computer?
Yes, from Instagram's website using Create, though editing tools are limited.
Can I schedule a Reel?
Yes. Professional accounts can schedule in the app, and tools like beREEL, Buffer, Later and Metricool can auto-publish Reels.
Should I share my Reel to the Feed?
Usually yes, so it appears on your profile grid as well as the Reels tab.
Can I make a Reel from photos?
Yes. Upload several photos in the Reel editor and Instagram turns them into a video; add music and text to keep it moving. For product brands, see turning product photos into Reels.
Does posting time matter?
It can help early engagement. Post when your followers are most active, which you can see in Instagram insights. See best times to post.
What's the best length for a Reel?
Short enough to hold attention. Many brand Reels work well under 30 seconds, but test on your own account.
More Reels questions, answered
This guide is part of our Reels question hub. Start with the Reels best practices checklist, then jump to the question you need:
- Why your Reels aren't getting views
- How to go viral on Reels
- How to add captions to Reels
- How many hashtags to use on Reels
- How to repost a Reel
- Can you edit a Reel after posting?
- How to add a link to a Reel
- How to get more followers with Reels
- What is a good Reels engagement rate?
Make Reels faster
beREEL is an AI Reels studio for brands: paste your website and Brand DNA picks up your fonts, colours and tone, then generate, edit and schedule Reels to TikTok, Instagram, YouTube Shorts, Facebook and Snapchat (scheduling on Pro). The free plan includes starter credits and the studio for one channel, no card needed.