To use a template on Instagram Reels, tap Create, tap Reel, then tap Templates and pick one. A template keeps the original reel's music and timing, and you swap in your own photos or videos.
The steps below are Instagram's own, from its Reels feature page, read as of October 2026. This is about the Templates feature built into the Instagram app, not templates in other editing apps.
The catch: templates only exist for reels that include music and at least 3 clips. So if a reel has no "Template by..." label, or you can't use it as a template, that's by design, not a glitch. Not all reels can be used as a template.
How Reels templates work
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Which reels can be templates | Reels with music and at least 3 clips; not all reels can |
| What the template copies | The same music and timing as the original |
| What you swap | Your own photos or video clips, tapped in the order you want |
| Where templates live | Template Browser (find and save favourites) |
| Fastest route from a reel | Tap "Template by..." then Use Template |
| To fix one clip | Tap the clip, then Replace media |
Make a reel from a template, step by step
- Tap Create in the top left, or swipe right anywhere in Feed.
- Tap Reel at the bottom.
- Tap Templates.
- Swipe through and tap a template to use.
- Tap Add media, then tap the photos or videos in the order you want them.
- Tap Next.
- To change a clip, tap the clip, tap Replace media, and pick another.
- Tap Next to preview and share your reel.
Step 5 is the one that trips people up. The order you tap your media is the order it plays, matched to the original's timing. Tap your strongest shot first.
You can find templates and save your favourites in the Template Browser, so when you find one you like, save it for later rather than hunting for it again.
Use a reel you saw as a template
You don't have to go through the Template Browser. When you're watching a reel that can be used as a template, tap "Template by..." on it, then tap Use Template. From there, add your media the same way.
Why you can't use a template
- The reel doesn't include music.
- The reel has fewer than 3 clips.
- Instagram simply doesn't offer it: not all reels can be used as a template.
If you'd like others to be able to reuse a reel you make, it needs music and at least 3 clips as a minimum.
Audio and length rules to know
A template uses the original reel's music. For your own reels, Instagram says you can use your own original audio, original audio by another Reels creator, or audio from the Instagram audio library with the Audio tool. You can't use original audio from a feed video unless you remix the video. Reels you record or upload can run to 20 minutes, but reels over 3 minutes won't be recommended to new audiences.
Music in a template: what can go wrong
Because a template runs on music, it helps to know how Instagram treats audio. Licensed audio from the audio library (music, movies, TV shows and sound effects) has to be attributed to the artist with the track name. If Meta's agreements with rights holders change, a track can become muted. Your post can still be viewed, it just loses the sound.
Original audio is audio you create while filming in the app or in an uploaded video, or by another Reels creator, and it shows the creator's username. If your account is public, anyone on Instagram can record a reel using your original audio. When Instagram detects that audio is licensed, it changes the attribution from Original audio to the licensed track and adds the reel to that audio's page.
One more catch: downloading a reel doesn't save music you added from the Instagram music library. If you want a copy of your template reel with the track on it, the download won't give you that.
Drafts and templates
If you start a template reel and you're not ready to post, save it as a draft. Just know where drafts live. They're saved on your device only, they can't be opened from another device, and they're lost if you uninstall the app. They're kept until you share or delete them, and there's no limit on how many you save. To find them, go to Profile, then Reels, then Drafts.
After you post
Once your reel is live, you can manage it like any other: share it, save it or delete it, and set who can repost or remix it and who can mention you. If you used a popular template, it's worth checking those settings so you're happy with who can reuse your version.
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A free editing app from Instagram is explained in the Instagram Edits app.
Edits has its own templates
Instagram's separate Edits app has a different set of templates in its Inspiration tab. There, creators share a video as a template with its timing, music, text and creative elements, and each use credits the creator. Everything on this page is about the templates inside the Instagram app itself.
Before you post, check the Reels safe zone.
My advice
Templates are the quickest way I know to make a reel that looks planned when you're short on time: the beat-matching is done for you, so your only job is picking good clips and tapping them in the right order. If you're using them for a brand, here's how I'd use Reels templates for business. Not ready to post yet? Here's where to find your drafts on Instagram. And if you spot a mistake after it's live, read how to edit an Instagram reel after posting.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find templates on Instagram Reels?
Tap Create, tap Reel, then tap Templates. You can also find templates and save your favourites in the Template Browser.
Why is there no Template by button on a reel?
Templates are only available for reels that include music and at least 3 clips, and not all reels can be used as a template.
Can I change the music in a template?
A template uses the same music and timing as the original reel. Instagram's guide doesn't give a way to swap the music inside the template.
Why did the music on my reel go silent?
Licensed tracks can become muted if Meta's agreements with rights holders change. The reel can still be viewed without the sound.
Where are my template reel drafts saved?
Drafts are saved on your device only. Find them in Profile, Reels, Drafts. They can't be opened on another device and are lost if you uninstall the app.
How many clips does a template need?
At least 3 clips, plus music. Reels without both can't be used as templates.
