Instagram Reels have become a powerhouse for organic growth and engagement on social media. With their vertical video format, high discovery potential, and placement in the Explore and Reels tabs, Reels offer creators and brands a chance to reach large audiences — but only if you post at the right time.
In this guide, we break down the best times to post on Instagram Reels, backed by research and engagement data, to help you boost visibility, grow your followers, and go viral.
Why Timing Matters on Instagram Reels
Instagram’s algorithm considers several factors when deciding who sees your Reels — including engagement velocity (how quickly users engage after posting). If your Reel gets strong engagement early, it’s more likely to be featured in the Reels tab or on Explore, which can dramatically boost reach.
That’s why posting when your audience is most active is crucial.
Best Times to Post on Instagram Reels (According to Studies)
While your unique audience may differ slightly, multiple social media studies have revealed general engagement patterns. Based on 2024 data from Later, Hootsuite, and Sprout Social, here are the best global average times to post Reels:
| Day | Best Time to Post (Local Time) |
|---|---|
| Monday | 6 AM, 12 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM, 9 AM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM, 11 AM |
| Thursday | 9 AM, 7 PM |
| Friday | 5 AM, 1 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM, 11 AM |
| Sunday | 8 AM, 4 PM |
Key takeaways:
- Weekday mornings perform consistently well, especially before work hours.
- Weekends still see strong engagement, but mid-morning tends to outperform evenings.
- Tuesdays and Thursdays are peak engagement days for Reels.
Best Times by Industry
If you’re a business, tailoring your posting times to your industry can increase engagement. Here are optimal Reel posting times by niche:
1. E-commerce & Product Brands
- Best Times: 9 AM–12 PM Tuesday to Thursday
- People are more likely to shop mid-morning on weekdays when they’re browsing during breaks.
2. Fitness & Wellness Creators
- Best Times: 5 AM–8 AM weekdays
- Early morning posts catch users before their workout or morning routine.
3. Food & Recipe Creators
- Best Times: 11 AM–1 PM, and 7 PM–9 PM
- Viewers often look for food content before meals or dinner prep.
4. Travel & Lifestyle Influencers
- Best Times: 9 AM–11 AM weekends
- People plan travel and leisure on weekends when they’re free to explore content.
How to Find Your Personal Best Time
While general benchmarks are helpful, your own audience insights are the most accurate way to discover the ideal time to post. Here’s how:
Use Instagram Insights:
- Go to your Profile → Menu → Insights.
- Tap Your Audience.
- Scroll down to see “Most Active Times” — broken down by days and hours.
Post Reels during the top 2–3 time slots when your audience is most active.
A/B Test Your Posting Schedule:
Post similar Reels at different times across a week or two, then:
- Track reach, likes, comments, and shares.
- Identify which time slots consistently perform better.
Additional Tips to Boost Reel Performance
✅ Post Consistently
Instagram favors accounts that post Reels regularly (3–5 times per week).
✅ Use Trending Audio
Reels using trending or popular sounds often get boosted in the algorithm.
✅ Include Relevant Hashtags
Hashtags like #reels, #explorepage, or niche-specific tags can increase discoverability.
✅ Hook Viewers in the First 3 Seconds
Retention matters. Start your video with action or text to keep people watching longer.
Final Thoughts
Finding the best time to post Instagram Reels is a game of understanding both general trends and your own audience behavior. While mornings during the week tend to work best, your insights will always be the most powerful tool.
Test, analyze, and adjust your posting strategy regularly. With the right timing and content, your Reels can go from being seen by a few hundred to hundreds of thousands — or even millions.