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How to Post Long Reels, Stories, and Videos on Instagram

Felix Schmidt
Felix Schmidt updated Jun 18, 25

Ever tried posting a video on Instagram, only to get hit with that annoying time limit? Yeah, we've all been there. Maybe it's a fun vlog, a mini tutorial, or just a moment too good to cut short. Whatever it is, Instagram long videos don't always play nice with the platform's rules.

But don't worry, there are innovative ways around it. If you've been wondering how to upload long videos to Instagram or how to post a long video on Instagram Story without it getting chopped into 15-second bits, you're in the right place. Keep reading to get the full scoop!

posting videos on instagram
In this article
  1. Instagram Video Length Limits
  2. How to Upload Long Videos to Instagram
  3. Adjust Video Size and Aspect Ratio for Instagram

Part 1. What Are Instagram Video Length Limits?

Instagram has various time limits depending on where you post, which can definitely mess with your plans if you're trying to share something longer. A regular long Instagram video might sound simple, but the platform has different rules for Reels, Stories, and Feeds that can make things tricky.

To clarify that, check out the table below for the full breakdown.

Instagram Feature Maximum Video Length Notes
Feed (Desktop) Up to 60 minutes Must be uploaded from the desktop version
Feed (Mobile App) Up to 15 minutes Shorter limit when posting directly from your phone
Reels Up to 90 seconds Ideal for quick, fun content
Stories Up to 60 seconds Longer videos will be split into 60-second segments
Live (Recording) Up to 4 hours Best option for full-length videos and events

These are the time limits for posting videos on each type of Instagram post. With limits like these, learning to post a long video on Instagram takes a little creativity. Scroll down to find out!

Part 2. How to Upload Long Videos to Instagram

So, how do you upload a full video on Instagram? As you can see, the longest you can go is 60 minutes if you upload through Instagram Feed on desktop, but if your video is still too long, there's not much you can do with Instagram alone.

That said, there are still innovative ways to make it work. One of the best tools to help you is the Filmora mobile app. It's usually known for its desktop version, but the mobile app is just as powerful and packed with features that can help you learn how to post long Instagram videos without the headache. Here's how to do it.

Source: @FilmoraWondershare
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Method 1: Make an Auto Highlight of Your Video with AI Reel Maker

Filmora has an advanced feature called AI Reel Maker that can pull the best parts of your video and turn them into a punchy highlight reel. It's easy to turn long Instagram videos into scroll-worthy Reels that hit the time limit just right.

filmora mobile ai reel maker

To learn how to do that, check out the simple guide below:

Step 1Download and install Filmora Mobile on your phone. Open the app and tap the "AI Reel Maker" from the main menu.
Step 2Choose the video you want to post on Instagram and hit "Import".
upload video to filmora mobile
Step 3Pick a video theme and mood that match your content. For this one, let's go with "Gaming" and "Chill".
Step 4Scroll down and select the best "Aspect Ratio" for Instagram Reels — 9:16. Choose to keep the original sound or let Filmora create custom BGM for you.
Step 5If you select BGM or Mix, choose your preferred "Music Style" and M"usic Instrument". Once satisfied, tap "Generate" to let Filmora do the magic.
modify settings in ai reel maker
Step 6Filmora will auto-scan your video, select the best clips, apply music and transitions. Choose from:
  • Project Edit – to make custom edits
  • Export – to save and share instantly
Step 7If you select Project Edit, you'll enter the editing timeline. Here, add text, stickers, effects, or filters to personalize your Reel. When finished, tap "Export" at the top-right corner.
edit and export video
Step 8Select your video quality and frame rate in Export settings. Then hit "Export" to save your Instagram Reel to your device.

As you can see, figuring out how to post long reels on Instagram is way easier with Filmora's AI Reel Maker. If you're using a desktop, you've got two fun options too:

Curious how it works? Check out the quick tutorial video below and try it out yourself!

Source: @FilmoraWondershare
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Method 2: Shorten Your Video by Trimming

Another smart way to trick how to post long Instagram videos is by trimming your clip before uploading. This lets you decide exactly which parts stay and which parts go.

In this case, using a video editor like Filmora beats Instagram's built-in trimmer by a mile. It's faster, smoother, and lets you fine-tune every second. Follow the simple steps below to get started.

Step 1Open Filmora and tap "New Project" to start a new video edit.
Step 2Select the video you want to upload, then tap "Import" to bring it into the timeline.
upload video to filmora mobile
Step 3Move the white playhead line to where you want to cut. Tap "Trim" and hit the "][" icon to split the video.
Step 4Tap the portion you just split, then tap the trash bin icon to delete that section.
trim video and delete selected part
Step 5Keep trimming your video until it meets the platform's time limits. For IG Stories, cut it down to 60 seconds or less.
Step 6Enhance your video with stickers, filters, visual effects, or background music. Once satisfied, tap "Export" in the top-right corner.
Step 7Select your desired video quality and frame rate, then tap "Export" again to save the final video to your phone—ready for Instagram.
export and save video

Method 3: Split Videos and Use Instagram Carousels

If you're trying to figure out how to upload a full video on Instagram without losing a single second, the carousel feature is your secret weapon. Instead of trimming things out, you can split your video into smaller clips and post them all together in one swipeable carousel. That way, your followers can watch the whole thing from start to finish.

Filmora Mobile makes this super easy. Just follow the steps below to jump right in:

Step 1Open a new project in Filmora and upload your video.
Step 2Split the video into two parts, keeping each segment within Instagram's time limit. Delete the second half of the clip.
split video and delete selected part
Step 3Make any final edits you want, then tap "Export".
Step 4Choose your resolution and tap "Export" again to save the first part to your phone.
export and save video
Step 5Upload the same video again, but this time delete the first half and keep the second half.
split video and delete selected part
Step 6Make any edits if needed, and tap "Export" to save the second part.
Step 7Pick the resolution and export again. Now you have two clips ready to upload to Instagram.
export and save video
Step 8Open Instagram and tap the plus icon (+) to start a new post.
Step 9Choose "Post" and tap the carousel icon to upload multiple video clips.
open instagram and select carousel icon
Step 10Select your edited videos in the correct order and tap "Next".
Step 11Optionally, add music from Instagram's audio library, then tap "Next" again.
Step 12Add your caption, tag friends, choose a location, and finalize your settings. Tap "Share" to publish your full video on Instagram.
import videos and share instagram post

And just like that, you've learned how to post a long video on Instagram using the clever carousel trick! If your video still needs a little tweaking to fit Instagram's size just right, head to the next section to resize or reformat it like a pro.

Part 3. Adjust Video Size and Aspect Ratio for Instagram

Alright, now that you've got the tricks to post long videos on Instagram, there's one more thing to check; your video size and shape. Each Instagram format has its own preferred dimensions, and if you don't match them, your video might end up looking weird or cropped.

Here's a quick breakdown of the ideal video dimensions for each Instagram format:

  • Reels: 9:16 (vertical)
  • Stories: 9:16 (vertical)
  • Feed Posts: 1:1 (square), 4:5 (portrait), or 16:9 (landscape)

If your video doesn't fit, no worries. You can easily resize or reformat it in Filmora so it looks just right before uploading.

adjust aspect ratio with filmora

Follow these easy tricks to learn how to post long Instagram videos that actually fit the screen:

1. Use Auto Reframe on Desktop (Recommended)

With Filmora's Auto Reframe feature, you can automatically adjust your video to fit the right frame, so everything important stays in view. To use this feature, open Filmora and find "Auto Reframe" in the AI Toolbox on the right side.

access filmora auto reframe feature

In the Auto Reframe window, you'll see several size options like square (1:1), vertical (9:16), standard (4:3), widescreen (16:9), and cinema (21:9). Choose 9:16 since it's perfect for Instagram, then click the Analysis button. Filmora will take a moment to scan and change the size of your video.

select vertical aspect ratio

2. Crop and Resize Your Video

You can also use the Crop tool to resize your video the simple way. Just click on your video in the timeline, then tap the Crop icon to access the Crop and Zoom panel.

access crop and zoom tool

Then, pick the 9:16 ratio that fits your needs. Adjust the crop area, and when you're happy with it, hit Apply to save.

select vertical aspect ratio

3. Change the Video Aspect Ratio

If you want an easy way to do it, just change the project aspect ratio. After you add your video to Filmora, click the Settings button and choose "Change Project Aspect Ratio".

change project aspect ratio

From there, you can also adjust the resolution and frame rate to match what you need.

adjust resolution and frame rate

Conclusion

Instagram has limits on how long you can post videos, so this guide breaks down everything about Instagram length limits and shows you how to post a long video on Instagram without the stress. If you've been wondering how to upload long videos to Instagram, Filmora has your back.

You can use the AI Reel Maker to turn your long clips into highlight-packed Reels, trim your video down with the editor, or even split it into parts and post it using the Instagram carousel trick. Filmora also lets you resize and adjust your video to fit the perfect Instagram format. It's your all-in-one tool to make Instagram long videos work your way.

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  • Enhance your alien video with music, effects, and pro-level editing tools.
  • Share your final video instantly to TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and more.

FAQ

  • How to post long reels on Instagram Story?
    Just trim your Reel into shorter clips that fit Instagram Story’s 60-second limit, or use a video editor like Filmora to split and format it for you.
  • Will video quality drop when uploading long videos?
    Sometimes yes, especially if the file is too large or Instagram compresses it. Use a tool like Filmora to keep your long Instagram video clean and crisp before uploading
  • Can I schedule long video uploads to Instagram?
    Yes, you totally can. With Filmora’s Social Content Planner, you can set up your post, pick the perfect time, and let it handle the rest. No more last-minute uploads or setting alarms.
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