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Want more views and engagement in 2025? The length of your social media video still makes or breaks it. Attention spans are short, algorithms are picky, and each platform has its own rules.
Here’s the only guide you need — simple, updated, and to the point.
Quick Reference: Max vs. Best Video Length by Platform
| Platform | Max Length | Best Length for Engagement |
| Instagram Feed | 60 sec | 26–30 sec |
| Instagram Reels | 90 sec | 7–15 sec |
| Instagram Stories | 15 sec per slide | 1–3 slides (15–45 sec) |
| Instagram Live | 60 min | 10–30 min |
| TikTok | 30 min (varies) | 15–60 sec or 3–10 min |
| Facebook Feed | 240 min | 24–90 sec |
| Facebook Stories | 20 sec | <20 sec |
| Facebook Live | 4–8 hours | 10–30 min |
| Twitter (X) | 140 sec (longer for Premium) | 20–45 sec |
| LinkedIn Feed | 10 min | 30–90 sec |
| YouTube | 12 hours | 2–10 min |
| YouTube Shorts | 60 sec | 15–30 sec |
| 30 min | 15–30 sec |
Instagram Video Length in 2025
Feed videos can go up to 60 seconds, but posts under 30 seconds get the most engagement.
Reels max out at 90 seconds — but 7–15 seconds is the sweet spot.
Stories run 15 seconds per slide. Best to keep it to 1–3 slides max.
Live streams can go up to 1 hour. For best results, run at least 10 minutes to give time for viewers to join.
Use fast cuts, vertical layout, and subtitles — most users watch without sound.
TikTok Video Length in 2025
Max length: 30 minutes (varies by account and region).
Best engagement:
- 15–60 seconds for snappy clips
- 3–10 minutes for tutorials or storytelling
TikTok favors long watch time. If your video is over 60 seconds, you better keep people watching till the end.
Facebook Video Length in 2025
Feed videos perform best at 24–90 seconds. Avoid going over 2 minutes unless it’s educational.
Stories cap at 20 seconds — short, visual, and personal works best.
Live streams: Minimum 10 minutes. Max is 4 hours on mobile, 8 on desktop.
Ads:
- In-stream ads: 5–15 seconds
- News feed: 6–15 seconds (shorter gets better completion)
Hook your viewers in the first 5 seconds. Don’t waste time with long intros.
Twitter (X) Video Length in 2025
Max video length: 140 seconds for standard users, up to 2 hours for Premium.
Best performance: 20–45 seconds
Twitter is built for speed. Post short teasers, clips, or animated loops. If it takes longer than 45 seconds, it’s better on another platform.
YouTube Video Length in 2025
Shorts: Max 60 seconds — best kept between 15–30 seconds
Standard videos: Ideal range is 2–10 minutes
- Tutorials: 5–10 minutes
- Entertainment: 8–12 minutes
- Explainers: 6–8 minutes
- Ads:
- Bumper: 6 sec
- Non-skippable: 15–20 sec
- Skippable: 6–30 sec
The longer the watch time, the better the ranking — as long as people stay engaged.
LinkedIn Video Length in 2025
Max length: 10 minutes
Best video length: 30–90 seconds for feed posts. Up to 5 minutes is fine for interviews or thought leadership.
Ad breakdown:
- Brand awareness: 15–30 sec
- Funnel content: 30–90 sec
- Insight videos: 2–5 min
Keep intros tight. Professionals scroll fast. Hit the value point early.
Pinterest Video Length in 2025
Max: 30 minutes
Best: 15–30 seconds for pins. 1–3 minutes for how-tos or demos.
Always use text overlays and a clean cover image to grab scrollers.
Best Practices of Social Media Video Length
- Hook in 3 seconds — literally.
- Mobile-first: Shoot 9:16 vertical.
- Start with value, not intros.
- Add captions: Most videos are muted by default.
- Test and tweak: Use analytics to see where people drop off.
How to Choose Video Length Based on Goal
Not every video is about going viral. Your length should match what you’re trying to do.
| Goal | Ideal Length | Why It Works |
| Brand Awareness | 15–30 sec | Easy to consume and remember. Fits all feeds. |
| Product Explainer | 45–90 sec | Enough time to show how it works clearly. |
| Lead Generation | 30–60 sec | Keeps attention + allows for a clear CTA. |
| Tutorial | 5–10 min | Viewers expect depth. Better retention. |
| Sales/Retargeting Ad | 6–15 sec | Fast delivery. Works well in skippable ad slots. |
Match length to goal, not just platform. A 90-second explainer won’t work for someone just browsing Instagram Reels.
Common Video Length Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)
Most underperforming videos don’t fail because of quality — they’re just too long, too slow, or misplaced.
Mistake 1: Long intro or logo animation
Fix: Start with the message. Hook in the first 3 seconds.
Mistake 2: Uploading a 90-second video everywhere
Fix: Trim for each platform.
- 90 seconds → TikTok
- 60 seconds → Instagram Feed
- 15 seconds → Twitter/X or Reels teaser
Mistake 3: Video exceeds platform limit and gets trimmed
Fix: Know the limits. Instagram Stories = 15 sec per slide. Reels = 90 sec. YouTube Shorts = 60 sec max.
Mistake 4: Long ads with no value upfront
Fix: Deliver your main point in the first 5 seconds, then expand if needed.
If your viewer doesn’t get the value quickly, they’re gone — especially on TikTok, Reels, or Shorts.
How Video Length Affects Ad Performance
Shorter ads don’t just perform better — they cost less to run.
Meta Ads (Facebook + Instagram):
- 6–15 seconds: Highest completion rates
- Anything longer → Lower CTR and drop-off after 10 seconds
YouTube Ads:
- Bumper Ads: 6 seconds max
- Skippable Ads: Must hook in first 5 seconds
- 15–20 sec: Best length for brand recall
Meta recommends under 15 seconds for video ads across all placements — reels, stories, feed.
2025 Algorithm Trends That Impact Video Length
Algorithms don’t rank by views — they rank by behavior. And length plays a key role in that.
TikTok
- Favors videos that are watched to the end
- Looping videos under 30 seconds get more replays
Instagram Reels
- Prioritizes full view-through
- Videos over 30 sec often get dropped early unless the hook is strong
YouTube
- Longer videos help with watch time, but only if retention is high
- A 6-min video with 70% watch rate will outrank a 2-min video with 30%
Twitter (X)
- Shorter = better. Most engagement happens in under 45 seconds
Want your video ranked? Make people watch it to the end — whatever that length is.
Tool-Specific Upload Limits and Editing Tips
Even if you know the best lengths, your tools might be limiting what you can post.
Instagram (2025):
- Stories: Auto-trims anything over 15 sec per slide
- Reels: Cuts at 90 sec
- Feed: Stops at 60 sec
YouTube Shorts:
- Uploads over 60 sec are rejected as Shorts
TikTok:
- In-app limit: 15–60 sec for most users
- External upload: Up to 30 min (some regions)
Canva (Free Plan):
- Export limit: 60 seconds per video
- Best for slicing one long video into multi-platform edits
Pro Tip: Create a base video around 90 sec. Then cut into:
- 30 sec for Reels
- 60 sec for Shorts
- 15 sec for ads
Conclusion
In 2025, the best video length depends on the platform and purpose:
- Want reach? Keep it under 30 seconds.
- Want retention? Hook early and earn the watch time.
- Want conversions? Say what matters in 15–45 seconds.
The formula: short enough to hold attention + long enough to deliver value.
And always optimize per platform — one-size-fits-all doesn’t work anymore.
FAQs about Social Media Video Length
1. What is the best video length for social media in 2025?
The best social media video length is under 30 seconds, which is best for most platforms. For YouTube or tutorials, go up to 10 minutes if there is strong social media content.
2. How long can Instagram videos be in 2025?
In 2025, Instagram videos have the following limits:
- Feed: 60 sec
- Reels: 90 sec
- Stories: 15 sec per slide
- Live: 60 min
3. What’s the ideal TikTok video length in 2025?
In 2025, the ideal TikTok video length is 15–60 seconds for quick, high-engagement clips that grab attention fast. However, longer videos between 3–10 minutes also perform well for tutorials, storytelling, or content that builds viewer connection over time.
4. What is the Twitter video max length?
In 2025, standard Twitter users can upload videos up to 140 seconds long, while Twitter Premium subscribers can go all the way up to 2 hours. For optimum engagement, videos between 20 and 45 seconds tend to perform best.
5. What is the best length for YouTube Shorts?
Keep it between 15–30 seconds for higher completion and watch-through rates.
6. What is the LinkedIn native video limit?
Up to 10 minutes. Best engagement happens between 30–90 seconds.
7. What’s the Facebook video length limit?
- Feed: 240 min max
- Best: 24–90 sec
- Stories: 20 sec
- Live: 4–8 hours
- Ads: 6–15 sec
8. Can I Reuse the Same Video on Every Platform?
Technically yes — but you shouldn’t.
Why it doesn’t work:
- A 60-sec YouTube Short feels too long on Instagram Reels
- A 15-sec TikTok teaser lacks depth on LinkedIn
- A horizontal tutorial clip won’t fit Instagram or TikTok feeds
Do this instead:
- Edit by platform: Resize, trim, re-caption
- Change intros: Tailor the first 3 seconds to fit each audience
- Use platform tools: Instagram’s built-in captions and filters boost reach
- Repurpose, don’t repost: Recut your master video into new, platform-native edits
