Best Time To Post On Instagram

Instagram Reels have become one of the most powerful tools for growing your reach and boosting engagement on the platform. They’re short, dynamic, and—when used right—can go viral quickly. But one often overlooked factor in Reels strategy is timing. So, when exactly is the best time to post a reel on Instagram to get maximum views, likes, and shares?

In this guide, we’ll explore the best posting times based on real data, geographic regions, and platform behavior—and even compare Instagram Reels to TikTok to help you optimize your content.

📌 Why Timing Matters for Instagram Reels

Instagram’s algorithm favors Reels that receive early engagement, as explained in the Instagram Help Center. The more likes, comments, and shares your reel gets shortly after posting, the more likely it is to be pushed to a wider audience through the Reels tab, Explore page, and followers’ feeds.

That’s why posting when your audience is online is critical—it gives your content the best chance to perform well in those first few hours.

Here’s how the right timing helps:

• Increases chances of landing on the Explore page
• Boosts early engagement (likes, comments, shares)
• Maximizes organic reach through hashtags and shares
• Helps you beat Instagram’s algorithm with strategic timing

⏰ Best Days & Times to Post Reels on Instagram

Based on multiple studies and social media analytics, here’s a breakdown of the optimal time slots to post your Reels:

Day	Best Time to Post
Monday	6 AM – 9 AM
Tuesday	9 AM – 12 PM
Wednesday	12 PM – 3 PM
Thursday	3 PM – 6 PM
Friday	6 PM – 9 PM
Saturday	9 AM – 11 AM
Sunday	10 AM – 2 PM

🧠 Pro Tip: These are general recommendations. Use Instagram Insights to see when your followers are most active, and schedule accordingly.

🌍 Best Time to Post Instagram Reels by Country

Posting based on your audience’s time zone is just as important as picking the right day.

Here’s a region-specific guide:

• 🇺🇸 United States (EST): 9 AM – 12 PM
• 🇮🇳 India (IST): 6 PM – 9 PM
• 🇬🇧 United Kingdom (GMT): 8 AM – 11 AM
• 🇨🇦 Canada (EST): 7 AM – 10 AM
• 🇦🇺 Australia (AEST): 10 AM – 1 PM

📌 Don’t rely on your local time zone—check your Instagram analytics to know where your followers are coming from.

📱 Instagram vs TikTok: Does Posting Time Matter on Both?

While both platforms reward high-performing content, the way their algorithms handle timing is a bit different.

Instagram prioritizes timeliness and early engagement, which means the right time can make or break your reach.
TikTok, however, leans more on long-term engagement and the relevance of your video to a user’s interests.

Here’s a quick comparison:

Platform	Does Time Matter?	Best Time to Post
Instagram	✅ Yes	Weekdays 9 AM – 1 PM
TikTok	⚠️ Sometimes	Evenings 6 PM – 10 PM

🎯 If you’re repurposing content across both platforms, schedule your posts differently for each.

📅 A Sample Weekly Reels Posting Schedule

To help you stay consistent, here’s a simple content calendar that aligns with high-engagement time slots:

• Monday Motivation – Start the week with inspiration
• Tutorial Tuesday – Share a quick how-to
• Work-Life Wednesday – Behind-the-scenes or relatable content
• Trend Thursday – Jump on a current trend or challenge
• Feature Friday – Showcase products, services, or success stories
• Social Saturday – Fun, light, or community-focused posts
• Self-care Sunday – Wellness, mindset, or reflective content

This approach helps build a strong content strategy for Reels, while also matching peak engagement hours.

💾 How to Download Videos to Post on Instagram

Want to repost a video or share a clip from another platform on your Instagram Reel or feed? It’s easy! You can use free tools like SaveFrom.net to download videos from YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and more. Just copy the video link, paste it into the search bar on the website, choose your desired resolution, and hit download. This is especially helpful when curating content or repurposing video clips for your social media strategy. Make sure to always credit the original creator if you’re reposting their content.

❓ FAQs: Best Time to Post Reels on Instagram

📌 When is the best time to post a reel on Instagram?

The best time is typically during weekday mornings and early afternoons, such as 9 AM to 1 PM, when most users are active. But for precise targeting, check your own Instagram Insights.

🌅 Morning vs Evening: Which is better for posting?

Morning posts usually lead to more consistent engagement, while evening posts can perform well but are riskier due to variability in user activity.

📆 Should I post on weekends or weekdays?

Weekdays often perform better for educational, professional, or niche content. Weekends are ideal for fun, relaxed, or lifestyle content—especially in the entertainment and fashion niches.

🔁 Final Tips to Maximize Your Instagram Reels Reach

Here are some quick and proven strategies to boost your Reel performance:

• 📌 Post consistently – Aim for 3–5 Reels per week
• 🔊 Use trending audio and relevant hashtags
• 📈 Track performance using Instagram Insights
• 💬 Engage with your audience quickly after posting
• 🔄 Cross-promote in Stories and your main feed
• ⏱️ Test different times and days, then refine your schedule

📈 Want More Views on Your Instagram Reels?

Knowing what to post is only half the game—knowing when to post is what fuels viral growth. By following this data-backed guide and optimizing your post timing, you’ll give your content the visibility it deserves.

So, what time are you posting your next Reel?