Video Length Limits for TikTok, Reels and Shorts
Enter your video's length to see which platforms take it, in the app and through the publishing API schedulers use.
Short answer: A YouTube Short can be up to 3 min (square or vertical). TikTok lets you record up to 10 min and upload up to 60 min in the app, but every creator can post 3 min through the posting API. Instagram Reels can be up to 20 min in the app and 15 min through the publishing API. Facebook Reels published through its API must be 3 to 90 seconds. A video of 1 min 30 s or less fits all four everywhere.
Last verified against each platform’s own documentation; sources are listed below.
Maximum video length by platform
| Platform | In the app | Through the publishing API (schedulers) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TikTok | Record up to 10 min; upload up to 60 min | 3 min for every creator; up to 10 min for some accounts | Choosing a sound before you record sets the length to the sound length. |
| Instagram Reels | Up to 20 min | 3 seconds to 15 min | Reels over 3 min are not recommended to new audiences. |
| YouTube Shorts | Up to 3 min, square or vertical | Up to 3 min, square or vertical | For uploads on or after 15 October 2024. A longer or landscape video is a regular video, not a Short. |
| Facebook Reels | Not stated | 3 to 90 seconds | A Reel shared as a Page story cannot exceed 60 seconds. |
Sources
- TikTok Help: Camera tools (video length)
- TikTok for Developers: Content Posting API media transfer guide
- Instagram Help: Record a reel on Instagram
- Instagram Platform: IG User Media (Reels specifications)
- YouTube Help: Understand three-minute YouTube Shorts
- YouTube Help: Upload YouTube Shorts (computer)
- Meta for Developers: Reels Publishing API (Facebook)
This reference as plain text: /tools/video-length-limits.md
Frequently asked questions
How long can a YouTube Short be?
Up to 3 min. YouTube Help says a video uploaded on or after 15 October 2024 with a square or vertical aspect ratio up to three minutes is categorized as a Short. Videos uploaded before that date stay long-form.
How long can a TikTok video be?
TikTok Help says videos you record in TikTok can be up to 10 min and videos you upload in the app up to 60 min. TikTok's developer documentation says all creators can post 3 min videos through its API, while some have access to 5 or 10 minutes.
How long can an Instagram Reel be?
Instagram Help says you can record and edit Reels up to 20 min, and that Reels over 3 min will not be recommended to new audiences. The Instagram publishing API accepts 3 seconds to 15 min.
How long can a Facebook Reel be?
Meta's Reels publishing API for Facebook accepts 3 to 90 seconds. We could not confirm an in-app limit on a Facebook help page, so none is shown.
Why are the app and API limits different?
Each platform documents one limit for people using its app and another for programs that publish through its API, which is how every scheduler posts. The longer app limit may not apply to a scheduled post, so check the API column if you schedule.
What length fits every platform?
1 min 30 s or less. That is the smallest of the four publishing-API limits (Facebook Reels), and it is above the 3-second minimum.
Does SchedulePost trim a video that is too long?
SchedulePost sends the same file to every channel you select and does not crop, trim or re-encode it, so fix the video first.