If you’ve ever posted a Reel and wondered why one blows up while another goes quiet, you’re not alone. Figuring out the best time to post reels on Instagram is something every creator thinks about. The good news? Timing really does play a part.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the hours backed by real data, the days that tend to perform better, and a simple way to test what works for your audience.
We’ll also look at how to schedule posts so you don’t have to stay up at midnight just to hit the sweet spot. By the end, you’ll feel confident about when to post and how to get more eyes on your content.
What Is CPM on YouTube?
When you post a Reel, Instagram doesn’t push it out to everyone right away. Instead, the platform shows it to a smaller group first and then expands its reach if those viewers engage. That means your timing matters more than you think.
If you share your video when your followers are active, you give it the best chance to pick up quick likes, comments, and replays. Those signals tell Instagram your Reel is worth showing to more people.
Think of it like opening a shop: if you unlock the doors when nobody’s walking by, you miss potential customers. But open at the right hour, and you’ll catch the crowd at its busiest. Posting works the same way.
Best Time to Post Reels on Instagram – By Day and Time
So, what’s the best time to post reels on Instagram? While no single hour works for everyone, research across different studies points to clear patterns. Here’s a practical breakdown you can use as a guide, before testing with your own audience.
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Monday: 6 AM, 10 AM, and 10 PM – early mornings and late nights give Reels a strong start.
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Tuesday: 9 AM and around midday – great for reaching people during breaks.
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Wednesday: 7–11 AM – midweek mornings consistently deliver strong engagement.
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Thursday: 9 AM–12 PM and 7 PM – mix of lunch breaks and evening scrolls.
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Friday: 10–11 AM and mid-afternoon (1–3 PM) – people check in before starting their weekend.
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Saturday: 11 AM and early evening (7–8 PM) – catch followers before they head out.
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Sunday: 7–11 AM – mornings work better, since engagement tends to drop later in the day.
Key trends to notice
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Mid-morning (8–11 AM) is the most reliable window across the week.
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Early mornings (6–7 AM) also perform surprisingly well, especially on weekdays.
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Evenings (7–10 PM) can work, but they’re less consistent than mornings.
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Best overall days: Wednesday and Friday usually drive the highest engagement.
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Weakest day: Sunday, though early mornings still have some potential.
Think of this as a roadmap, not a strict rulebook. Your audience might be most active at different times, so use these ranges to start testing and fine-tuning your own schedule.
| Day | Best Times (Local) | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 6 AM, 10 AM, 10 PM | Early mornings and late nights give Reels a strong start. |
| Tuesday | 9 AM, 12 PM | Reaches people during breaks and lunchtime. |
| Wednesday | 7 AM, 8 AM, 11 AM | Midweek mornings deliver steady, high engagement. |
| Thursday | 9 AM–12 PM, 7 PM | Lunch breaks and evening scrolls both work well. |
| Friday | 10–11 AM, 1–3 PM | Strong before the weekend, especially during work breaks. |
| Saturday | 11 AM, 7–8 PM | Best before weekend activities and in the evening. |
| Sunday | 7–11 AM | Mornings perform best as activity drops later in the day. |
Timezones and Regional Best Times
The best time to post reels on Instagram always depends on your audience’s location. If your followers are spread across different regions, what works for you locally might not work for them. That’s why adjusting for time zones is key.
Here’s a clearer breakdown of regional best times, using the same posting windows we outlined earlier:
| Region | Best Local Times to Post Reels |
|---|---|
| North America (EST/PST) | 6–11 AM and 7–9 PM |
| Europe (GMT/CET) | 11 AM–3 PM and early evenings |
| Asia (IST) | 5–8 PM works best (aligned with lunch in Europe) |
| Australia (AEST) | 9–11 AM and late evenings |
How to apply this:
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Look at where your top follower locations are in Instagram Insights.
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Match your posting windows to their local active times, not just yours.
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If you have a global audience, rotate posts to hit different regions during the week.
This way, you’re tailoring your timing to the people who actually watch your Reels.
Best Times by Industry
Not every audience scrolls Instagram at the same time. A student, a banker, and a fitness coach all check their feeds at different hours. That’s why the best time to post reels on Instagram can shift depending on your niche.
Here’s a quick guide by industry:
| Industry | Best Times to Post Reels | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Retail & E-commerce | Mid-mornings (9–11 AM) and early evenings | People shop during breaks and after work. |
| Travel & Lifestyle | Early mornings (6–8 AM) and evenings (7–9 PM) | Audiences scroll while planning trips or relaxing at night. |
| Finance & Business | Midday (12–2 PM) | Engagement spikes around lunch breaks. |
| Education & Learning | Evenings (6–9 PM) | Students and learners go online after classes or work. |
| Health & Wellness | Early mornings (6–8 AM) | Popular before workouts or morning routines. |
| Media & Entertainment | Evenings (7–10 PM) | Peak time for casual scrolling and sharing content. |
How to use this:
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Start by matching your posting schedule to your industry norms.
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Track which times give you the most reach, saves, and replays.
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Adjust based on what your specific audience responds to, data beats averages.
How to Find Your Best Time with Instagram Insights
All the averages in the world can’t beat your own data. That’s why the smartest way to discover the best time to post reels on Instagram is by checking Instagram Insights.
How to use this:
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1. Switch to a Professional Account - Go to your settings and choose Account → Switch to Professional Account. This unlocks analytics.
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2. Open Insights - From your profile, tap the menu and select Insights.
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3. Check Audience Activity - Under Audience → Most Active Times, you’ll see when your followers are online by hour and by day.
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4. Compare With Posting Windows - Match your audience’s peak times with the ranges we covered earlier (like mid-morning or early evenings).
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5. Test and Track - Try posting in those windows for two weeks. Watch for patterns in reach, watch time, saves, and shares.
Quick Tip: Insights show when your followers are active, but that doesn't always mean they engage most at that time. Use it as a guide, then test to confirm.
How to Test and Optimize Posting Times
Finding the best time to post reels on Instagram isn’t about picking one slot and sticking to it forever. Your audience may respond differently than the averages suggest, so testing is key.
Here’s a simple two-week plan you can follow:
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1. Pick three time windows
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Early morning (6–7 AM)
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Mid-morning (8–11 AM)
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Evening (7–9 PM)
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2. Post in each window twice a week
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Example: Monday morning, Wednesday evening, Friday mid-morning.
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3. Track your results
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Look at reach, watch time %, saves, shares, and comments.
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4. Spot the winning times
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Compare which windows give you the highest engagement.
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5. Lock in your schedule
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Focus on your top one or two windows moving forward.
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These views come from real accounts and can help your Reels attract more engagement, which tells Instagram’s algorithm to share your content with an even wider audience.
Scheduling Reels at the Right Time
You don’t need to stay up late or wake up early just to post at the best time to post reels on Instagram. Instagram and Meta give you built-in tools to make this easy.
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In-App Scheduling: With a professional account, you can schedule Reels directly in the Instagram app. After creating your Reel, open Advanced Settings, tap Schedule this post, and choose the time you want.
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Meta Business Suite: A free tool that works on both desktop and mobile. It’s perfect if you want to schedule multiple posts at once or reach audiences in different time zones.
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Third-Party Tools: Apps like Buffer, Later, or Hootsuite also let you schedule, but most creators find Instagram’s own tools enough.
Quick Tip: Plan your posts at least a day ahead. That way, your Reels still go live on time, even if life gets busy.
Conclusion
The best time to post reels on Instagram depends on your audience, but you now have a clear roadmap to start from. Early mornings, mid-mornings, and midweek slots often stand out as strong performers. Testing these ranges, checking Insights, and refining your schedule will help you find the hours that truly fit your community.
When you match your timing to the way your followers use Instagram, your Reels gain more reach and create stronger engagement. Consistency and smart timing together build the momentum that turns good content into growth.
FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions |
Does posting longer Reels (over 60 seconds) change the best time to post?
Not really. Timing depends more on when your audience is active, not the length of your video. Still, longer Reels can benefit from posting during high-attention windows like mid-mornings or evenings.
How many times a week should I post Reels to grow?
Most creators see good results with 3–5 Reels a week. It’s often better to post fewer, high-quality Reels at the right times than to post daily without a plan.
What role does engagement in the first hour play?
The first hour is critical. If your Reel picks up likes, comments, and saves quickly, Instagram’s algorithm is more likely to recommend it to a wider audience.
Can collaborating with another account change the best posting time?
Yes. If you co-post with someone who has followers in a different time zone, consider timing your Reel when both audiences are likely to be active.