Best Time To Post On Instagram In 2025

Instagram is a great social media platform where users can post pictures and videos of their daily activities, special events, and milestones.

However, it’s more than just a casual way of sharing photos with other users. With over 2 billion active users worldwide, it’s also an excellent digital marketing tool for brands and content creators.

Almost every brand uses the platform, and the competition is getting steep! 

That’s why keeping your followers and potential customers interested in your products and online posts is vital.

If you’re in a pickle, we’ve got your back.

This blog will discuss everything you need to know about the best time to post on Instagram, how to boost your engagements, and more!

What Is The Best Time To Post On Instagram

Several elements come into play when identifying the best time to post on Instagram, including your target audience’s demographic and time zones. 

And while there’s no “perfect” time to post, pushing content during the “best” time is still crucial.

On average, the best time to post on Instagram is between 10 AM and 3 PM. 

This is because users are the most active during this timeframe, ensuring that more people will see and hopefully engage with your content.

However, it’s also crucial to note that the proportion of engagement may depend on the specific day of the week you post:

• Monday: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM (users catch up on posts after the weekend).
• Tuesday: 9:00 AM–11:00 AM (strong engagement as users settle into their week).
• Wednesday: 11:00 AM–1:00 PM (midweek peaks as users are most active).
• Thursday: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM (consistently high engagement).
• Friday: 10:00 AM–11:00 AM (activity slows by afternoon).
• Saturday: 11:00 AM–1:00 PM (late mornings work well on weekends).

Bonus: Here’s How to Add Music to Instagram Posts to Make Them Stand Out

Best Days to Post on Instagram

Lets know about key Instagram posting trends, including the best midweek days for engagement and why Sundays see the lowest activity.

Best Days: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday

Why Midweek Works Best:
Midweek days consistently see higher engagement rates on Instagram. Here’s why:

• Routine Engagement: By Tuesday, people have settled into their weekly routines and are more likely to scroll through Instagram during breaks, commutes, or in the evenings.
• Peak Productivity Breaks: Many users check Instagram during work breaks (e.g., mid-morning coffee or lunch). These breaks are most common on Tuesday through Thursday, as Monday is often too hectic, and Friday tends to wind down.
• Content Consumption Patterns: Midweek provides a sweet spot where users are neither overwhelmed by weekend plans nor distracted by the start or end of the week.

Tips for Posting Midweek:

• Aim to post around mid-morning (9:00 AM–11:00 AM) or early afternoon (12:00 PM–2:00 PM) to capture maximum engagement.
• Monitor engagement using Instagram Insights to fine-tune your exact posting times.

Worst Day: Sunday

Why Engagement Drops on Sundays:
Sundays typically experience the lowest engagement rates on Instagram, and here’s why:

• Offline Priorities: Many users prioritize offline activities, such as family time, outdoor outings, or preparing for the upcoming week.
• Reduced Scrolling: As users focus on relaxation or errands, they may spend less time engaging with social media.
• Lower Content Consumption: Content posted on Sundays often struggles to gain traction as fewer users are actively browsing or engaging.

Exceptions to Sunday Trends:

• Reels and Stories shared in the early evening (6:00 PM–8:00 PM) on Sunday may capture users winding down and preparing for the week.
• Accounts targeting specific niches like fitness (Sunday workout posts) or meal prep enthusiasts may still perform well on Sundays.

Bonus: Best Instagram Post Size: Optimize Your Instagram with Perfect Image Sizes

Why Follow The Best Time To Post On Instagram?

The bottom line is that posting when your followers are most active will significantly impact your digital marketing campaign. Here are some of the most notable changes you will notice:

Wider Reach

If you post whenever your followers are active, your new content will likely be among the first posts they see.

Moreover, this increases the chance for new users to discover your account and posts, allowing you to reach more people on the platform.

Loyal Audience

Pushing content on Instagram during peak times will help you regularly connect with your followers. It will show them that you’re interested in engaging with them and appreciate their likes, comments, and reposts.

Higher Engagement Rate

Bonus: Instagram Reels: What They Are And How You Can Optimize Them For Highest Engagement

Because more followers will actively see your posts, you’ll notice a significant increase in your engagement rate. In addition, you’ll get more likes, comments, and saves after posting!

Best Time to Post Reels on Instagram

Instagram Reels are designed to enhance visibility and engagement by appearing on the Explore page and connecting with new audiences. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the best times to post a Reel and tips for effectively schedule Instagram Reels:

Optimal Times for Reels

Monday to Friday:

• 12:00 PM–2:00 PM: Posting during lunchtime allows you to reach users as they take breaks and check their feeds.
• 6:00 PM–9:00 PM: Evenings are ideal for audiences winding down and exploring entertaining content.

Saturday and Sunday:

• 9:00 AM–11:00 AM: Morning posts can reach users as they start their day.
• 4:00 PM–7:00 PM: Late afternoon and early evening posts align with weekend leisure time.

Tips to Optimize Your Reels Strategy

• Understand Audience Behavior:
  Use Instagram Insights to analyze your audience’s activity patterns and determine the times when they’re most engaged. Adjust your posting schedule based on this data to align with peak activity periods.
  
• Maintain Consistency:
  Schedule Instagram Reels at regular times to create a predictable routine for your audience. When followers know when to expect your content, they’re more likely to engage with it. Consistent posting can strengthen your relationship with your followers and improve overall engagement.
  
• Focus on Quality Content:
  The timing of your posts matters, but the success of your Reels depends heavily on their relevance and quality. When you create Instagram Reels, ensure your content is engaging and aligns with the interests of your audience to make the most of your posting times.
  
• Adapt to Algorithm Changes:
  Instagram’s algorithm evolves, so regularly monitor performance metrics and adjust your strategy as needed to stay visible.
• Experiment With Formats:
  Integrate your Reels schedule with other content types like Stories and carousel posts to see what works best for your audience.

Bonus: The Ultimate Guide to Instagram Reels Sizes

Best Times To Post On Instagram By Industry

As the name states, the timeline guide provided in this article is only a guide. You should still consider the industry you are in and the type of audience you have.

Media and Entertainment

Social media is super important for the entertainment district, and it’s essential to know when to post. For example, it would be a good time to post on Friday mornings at 9 AM because people usually start to plan their weekends and look for ideas.

Therefore, your best chances of engagement are during working hours, 8 AM – 5 PM on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Retail

Instagram has become incredibly important for the retail industry because many people use it as a shopping page.

If you want to reach people interested in retail, consider posting on Wednesday afternoons and late mornings on Friday.

Technology

As you already know, there is no rule of thumb on when to post on Instagram.

However, you may try experimenting with different times that will bring positive results. For instance, the technology people get activated on Instagram on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday morning.

If you want to create posts related to tech – try out these days and times.

Healthcare

As you may have noticed, industries are most active during weekdays, so you may try to experiment with posting on Instagram throughout the week.

Best Times to Post on Instagram by Location

Understanding location-based Instagram activity is crucial for optimizing your posting schedule. Here’s an expanded look at the best times across major time zones:

North America (EST/CST/PST)

• Best Times:
  • EST: 11:00 AM–1:00 PM
  • CST: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
  • PST: 9:00 AM–11:00 AM
• Why:
  Morning and early afternoon are prime times for user activity, as many people check Instagram during breaks at work or mid-morning routines. The trend holds true for weekdays, with lunch hours being particularly effective for engagement.

Europe (GMT/CET)

• Best Times:
  • GMT: 12:00 PM–2:00 PM
  • CET: 1:00 PM–3:00 PM
• Why:
  Lunch breaks and the early evening window before dinner are when users typically engage with social media. Europe’s audience behavior leans towards browsing Instagram during downtime at work or while unwinding after work hours.

Asia-Pacific (IST/SST/AEST)

• Best Times:
  • IST: 6:00 PM–8:00 PM
  • SST: 7:00 PM–9:00 PM
  • AEST: 7:00 AM–9:00 AM
• Why:
  Evening hours dominate in this region, reflecting the preference to use Instagram after work or during evening relaxation. For AEST, mornings show strong engagement as users scroll through their feeds while starting the day.

South America (BRT/ART)

• Best Times:
  • BRT: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
  • ART: 11:00 AM–1:00 PM
• Why:
  Mid-morning to lunch hours are peak periods for activity. People in this region often check Instagram during coffee breaks or early lunch, making it a great time to share posts that drive engagement.

Tips for Location-Based Posting

1. Know Your Audience: Use Instagram Insights to identify the locations of your followers and tailor your posting schedule accordingly.
2. Adjust for Time Zones: If your audience spans multiple regions, consider scheduling posts to align with peak times for each zone.
3. Experiment and Track: While these times are general guidelines, monitoring your post performance will help refine your schedule for maximum impact.

By aligning your content strategy with these location-based trends, you can better connect with your audience and achieve higher engagement.

Bonus: 10 Strategies to Boost Instagram Threads

Do More With Simplified’s Instagram Post Scheduler

Instagram is one of the most effective social media platforms where you can promote your brand and see quick and long-lasting results.

However, it’s no secret that managing a business Instagram account can be daunting and tiring – that’s why Simplified is here to help you!

Simplified is your one-stop-shop social media management software that allows you to schedule thousands of posts during your preferred time.

With this app, there’s no need for you to race with a time to post your content during peak hours – Simplified will do the hard work for you.

Moreover, you can manage multiple Instagram accounts simultaneously – ideal for brands with several accounts for specific target markets.

You can also use Simplified AI copywriter to generate error-free Instagram captions and hashtags!

This software has it all.

The only thing left for you to do is set up direct-to-Instagram publishing in an instant using Simplified!

Related: 11 Proven Tactics To Boost Engagement On Instagram

Frequently Asked Questions:

What Is The Worst Time To Post On Instagram?

The worst time to post on IG depends on your followers. If they are “typical Instagrammers,” the worst time for you to share content would be between 1 and 5 AM. But this isn’t always the case. Remember that everything comes back to your audience and when they will be online.

Is It Bad To Post On Instagram At Night?

One of the basic IG rules is that posting at night isn’t likely to bring you many engagements and likes. But this is a general rule.

Everything strictly depends on your business, needs, and audience location. For example, if your audience is on another continent, posting during the night may be the time to reach them.

Does Instagram Have A Post Limit?

It doesn’t matter for what purpose you’re using Instagram, but you can post as much as you want.

Yes, exactly! Instagram doesn’t have a post limit. 

However, Instagram does have some limits for your activity. For example, you are limited to fewer than 1000 likes per day and less than 200 comments per day. 

However, if Instagram notices that you’re repeating the same comment repeatedly, they may bar you from posting for a couple of hours.