To make a reel on Instagram, tap your profile picture, tap Create new (the plus icon) and choose Reel. Record a clip with the camera or pick videos and photos from your camera roll, add audio, text and effects, tap Next, write a caption and tap Share. A photo-only reel works the same way: select your photos instead of videos and Instagram plays them as a sequence.
The fastest route for a beginner is a template, because it lines your photos or clips up to the music for you. Either way, the whole thing happens inside the Instagram app on your phone.
The limit most people miss: Instagram now lets you record or upload a reel of up to 20 minutes, but its Help Centre says reels over 3 minutes won't be recommended to new audiences. So a long reel is fine for people who already follow you, but if you want strangers to find you, keep it to 3 minutes or less.
Make a reel from video, step by step
These steps follow Instagram's own Help Centre for the Android and iPhone apps. If a button name looks a little different on your phone, search the app's settings or menus for the key word, because Instagram renames things often.
- Open Instagram and tap your profile picture in the bottom right.
- Tap Create new (the plus icon) in the top right, then tap Reel. You can also swipe right from your Feed to open the camera.
- Tap Camera at the top to record something new. Press and hold the record button to film a clip, or tap once to start and tap again to stop. Record as many short clips as you like.
- Prefer something you've already filmed? Tap your camera roll in the bottom left and pick a video.
- Use the tools on the left of the camera to add audio, effects or a layout before you record.
- Tap Next. Now you can add Audio, Text, Stickers and Effects, or download a copy to your phone.
- Tap Edit video to open the timeline. Here you can move text and stickers, swap the music, trim each clip and tap Reorder to change the order.
- Tap Next again. Tap Edit cover to choose your cover image, write your caption, add a location and decide whether to share to Facebook. More options lets you allow your reel to be used as a template or downloaded.
- Tap Share.
Make a reel with only photos
You don't need a single second of video. Instagram's camera roll picker lets you add photos and video clips to a reel, and it turns your pictures into a moving sequence set to whatever audio you pick. It's the easiest way to turn a holiday album, a product launch or a before-and-after into a reel.
- Start a new reel the same way: Create new, then Reel.
- Tap your camera roll in the bottom left instead of recording.
- Select several photos. Press and hold any photo to preview it larger, and pinch the grid to zoom in or out so it's easier to pick the right shots.
- Tap Next, then add music. Then open the Edit video timeline and trim each photo to change how long it stays on screen.
- Add text on top of the photos so people know what they're looking at, even with the sound off.
- Tap Next, choose a cover, write your caption and tap Share.
My tip: put your strongest photo first. People decide in the first second whether to keep watching, and a slideshow that opens on a blurry shot loses them before the music kicks in.
Use a template if you want it done in two minutes
A template copies the music and timing of an existing reel and lets you drop your own photos or clips into the slots. Instagram only offers templates for reels that include music and at least three clips, so you'll see them on reels with a clear beat and several cuts.
- Tap Create, then Reel, then Templates.
- Swipe through the templates and tap one you like.
- Tap Add media and pick your photos or videos in the order you want them to appear.
- Tap Next. To swap a clip, tap it, tap Replace media and choose another.
- Tap Next again to preview, then share.
You can also use a template you spot while scrolling: tap Template by on that reel, then Use template. Not every reel can be used this way. If you run a business and want ideas for which templates suit a brand, I've put together a guide to Instagram reel templates for business.
Reel length, size and format at a glance
These figures come from Instagram's Help Centre pages on recording reels and reel sizes. They're the numbers that decide whether your reel uploads cleanly or ends up cropped.
| What | Instagram's rule | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum length | Up to 20 minutes, in one clip or many | Plenty of room for tutorials and walkthroughs |
| Recommended to new audiences | Only reels of 3 minutes or less | Keep discovery reels short |
| Aspect ratio | Between 1.91:1 and 9:16 | Vertical 9:16 fills the phone screen |
| Frame rate | At least 30 FPS | Most phone cameras do this by default |
| Resolution | At least 720 pixels | Avoid tiny, old or heavily compressed files |
| Cover image | Recommended 420 px by 654 px (1:1.55) | Check your cover still looks right on your grid |
| Templates | Need music and at least three clips | Pick three or more photos for a template |
If you want the longer version of the length rules, including what's changed over the years, see my piece on the Instagram reels time limit.
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One setting worth turning on: in your profile menu, under Your app and media, tap Media quality and switch on Upload at highest quality. Uploads take a little longer, but your reel won't look soft once it's live.
Before you tap Share: a quick checklist
- Is the first second worth stopping for? Open on movement, a face or the result, not a logo.
- Can it be understood on mute? Add a short text line on screen.
- Does the cover look good on your grid? Use Edit cover before you share, because Instagram's Help Centre says you can't edit a cover after it's uploaded.
- Is the caption doing a job? One clear line about what the viewer gets, then a question or next step.
- Is the audio right? Trending audio can help, but your own voice explaining something often builds more trust.
Once you've got the basics, the next step is getting reels in front of people who don't follow you yet. That's a different skill, and I cover it in how to make reels on Instagram that get views.
My verdict
If you're brand new, start with a template and five of your best photos. You'll have a finished reel in a couple of minutes, and you'll learn where every button lives without the stress of filming. Once that feels easy, record short clips of yourself, keep your discovery reels under 3 minutes, and save the longer ones for the people who already follow you. Don't wait for perfect lighting or a new phone. The reel you post this week beats the one you plan for months.
Frequently asked questions
Can you make an Instagram reel with just photos?
Yes. Start a new reel, tap your camera roll and select several photos. Add music and text, adjust how long each photo shows on the timeline, then share.
How long can an Instagram reel be?
Instagram's Help Centre says you can record or upload reels of up to 20 minutes, but reels over 3 minutes won't be recommended to new audiences.
Why can't I see the Templates option?
Templates only work for reels with music and at least three clips, and not every reel can be used as one. Update the app and look for Templates when you start a new reel.
Can I make a reel on a computer?
Instagram's reel recording and editing tools are built for the phone app. For the full set of steps above, including templates and the timeline, use the app on your phone.
What size should an Instagram reel be?
Instagram accepts aspect ratios between 1.91:1 and 9:16, at least 30 FPS and at least 720 pixels. Vertical 9:16 fills the screen best.
