How to Make a Reel on Facebook (Step by Step)

Reels are the short, vertical videos that fill a big chunk of the Facebook app. For small businesses they're one of the few formats that regularly reach people who don't already follow you, which is why I nudge clients to try them even if they've never filmed themselves before. You don't need special kit. A phone, some natural light and a clear idea are plenty.

This guide follows Facebook's business help articles Create a Facebook Reel and How to use creative tools in Facebook Reels. Menus vary by app version and Facebook says Reels aren't available in every region yet, so if your screen looks different, update the app first.

Make a reel on Facebook from the app, step by step

1. Update the Facebook app to the latest version, which Facebook's help article recommends before you start.
2. From your Feed, tap the plus sign at the top right and choose Reel. You can also open Reels from the menu (tap See more if you can't see it) and tap the camera.
3. Record a new clip by holding the record button, or tap the gallery to add videos and photos from your phone.
4. Use the tools on the right-hand side of the screen to add audio, text, effects or stickers.
5. Tap Next, then write a description.
6. Choose who can see the reel.
7. Tap Share now.

If you want to post the reel as your business, switch into your Page first and then follow the same steps.

Facebook reel editing tools you'll see

Facebook's creative tools article lists the main options. Here's what each one is for:

Tool	What it does	When I'd use it
Audio	Adds music or sound to the reel	When the clip needs energy or a trend sound
Text	Puts words on screen	A headline in the first second so people know what's coming
Effects	Adds filters and visual effects	Sparingly, so the message stays clear
Stickers	Adds interactive or decorative stickers	Pointing at something or adding a little fun
Voiceover	Records your voice over the video	Talking people through a how-to
Captions	Generates on-screen captions automatically	Almost always, as many people watch with the sound off

If your finished reel plays silently or the music drops out, I've written a separate fix for Facebook reels with no sound.

Facebook reel audience settings and who can see your reel

• Facebook's help pages say reels are public by default.
• If you post from a business Page or as a creator, reels can only be shared publicly.
• On a personal profile, adults can change the audience for each reel before sharing it.
• If your reel is public and uses your original audio, Facebook says others may use that audio in their own reels.

Think about this before you share something personal from your profile. If it's meant for friends only, change the audience on the share screen first.

Making a Facebook reel for your business

I've watched plenty of small businesses overthink reels. These simple habits help most of them:

1. Hook people in the first second with a line of text or a question.
2. Film vertically, holding the phone upright, so it fills the screen.
3. Show one idea per reel: one tip, one product, one behind-the-scenes moment.
4. Add captions so it works without sound.
5. Write a description that says what the reel's about in plain words, and add a few relevant hashtags.
6. End with a simple next step, such as follow the Page or send a message.

On hashtags, more isn't better. My guide on how many hashtags to use on Facebook reels explains why I keep it short. And if you want to understand what makes some reels take off, I've looked at what makes a Facebook reel get more views.

Planning a week of Facebook reels without the stress

The businesses I see doing well with reels aren't filming every day. They batch. Here's a simple way to do it in one sitting:

• Write down five questions customers ask you all the time. Each one's a reel.
• Film all five answers in one go, in the same spot with the same light.
• Add text and captions to each one in the reel editor, then save them as drafts if your app version offers that option.
• Share one every couple of days, and reply to every comment while it's fresh.
• Look at which ones people watched and commented on most, and make more like those.

It's not glamorous, but it's the approach that keeps reels going after the first burst of enthusiasm wears off.

Turning other Facebook videos into reels

You don't always need to film something new. A short highlight from a longer video makes a good reel, and so does a clip from a broadcast. If you're planning live sessions, my guide on going live on Facebook covers the setup. Facebook also has a Page setting that decides whether short videos you upload are published as a reel or as a regular post, so check it if your uploads aren't appearing as reels.

If you can't make a reel on Facebook

• Update the app, as Facebook's help article suggests.
• Check you're using the app rather than a mobile browser, because the reel creator is built into the app.
• Facebook says Reels aren't available in every region, so the option may not appear for you yet.
• Allow Facebook to use your camera, microphone and photos in your phone's settings.
• If posting as a Page, make sure you've switched into the Page first.
• Restart your phone if the camera screen freezes.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make a Facebook reel on a computer?

Facebook's help article describes creating reels in the Facebook app. The reel creator is built for phones, so use the app.

Are Facebook reels public?

Facebook's help pages say reels are public by default. Adults posting from a personal profile can change the audience for each reel. Business Pages and creators can only share reels publicly.

Can I use videos from my camera roll in a Facebook reel?

Yes. Tap the gallery on the reel screen to add existing videos and photos.

Can I add captions to a Facebook reel?

Yes. Facebook's creative tools article says you can add auto-generated captions as well as your own on-screen text.

Why is the reel option missing on Facebook?

Update the app first. Facebook also says Reels aren't available in every region yet.