The Ultimate Guide to the Best Time to Post on Instagram for Maximum Engagement

When it comes to Instagram, timing can make all the difference. The question on everyone’s mind is: When is the best time to post on Instagram for maximum engagement?

We get it—there’s nothing worse than crafting an epic post and then watching it flop because it went up during a social media dead zone. To avoid that, it’s key to share your Instagram Stories, Reels, feed posts, and carousels at the times when your audience is most active.

To help you out, we’ve analyzed engagement data from over 5.5 million Instagram posts through Viralpep. We’ve analyzed which days and times are prime for interaction and which formats get the most likes, comments, and shares.

So, let’s break down everything you need to know about the best time to post on Instagram—whether you’re a marketer, creator, influencer, or just a casual Insta-user.

When is the Best Time to Post on Instagram?

Let’s clear this up right away: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer for the best time to post on Instagram. If only it were that simple! However, our analysis reveals that certain days and times tend to get more engagement than others.

But before we dive into the data, let’s talk about why engagement matters.

Each part of Instagram—the main feed, Stories, Reels, and Explore page—is powered by its own algorithm. And guess what? Engagement signals like likes, comments, shares, and saves tell Instagram that your content is hitting the right note. This boosts your chances of getting featured in the Explore and Reels sections, which can seriously speed up your growth.

So, while exact posting times might not be as critical as they used to be (RIP chronological feed), they’re still important for crafting an effective social media strategy.

Ready to get into the nitty-gritty numbers?

The Best Times To Post On Instagram

Finding the ideal time to post on Instagram can really boost your engagement. Based on an analysis of over 5 million Instagram posts, the sweet spot for posting is generally between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. on weekdays.

This peak time likely occurs because people often check their phones first thing in the morning or while commuting to work.

Our heatmap reveals that Instagram user behavior follows predictable patterns throughout the week. The darkest green areas on the heatmap represent times with the highest engagement—these are your prime posting times. Conversely, the lighter green to white areas indicate lower engagement, so you might want to avoid posting during these periods.

Early mornings on weekdays are ideal, with engagement peaking around 7 a.m. Engagement tends to dip as people focus on work as the day progresses. There’s usually another boost around midday during lunch breaks, making it a good time to post as well.

Engagement picks up slightly in the evenings. On Thursdays and Fridays, there’s a noticeable spike at 4 p.m., possibly due to people winding down from work as the weekend approaches. Scheduling Instagram posts around this time can be particularly effective.

Weekends show a different trend. Engagement generally drops on Saturdays and Sundays, with only a modest increase in activity on Saturday mornings and Sunday evenings. The best times to post on weekends are 7 a.m. on Saturday and 7 p.m. on Sunday, though these times still don’t reach the engagement levels seen during weekdays.

The Best Times to Post on Instagram (Day-by-Day Breakdown)

Here’s a breakdown of the best time to post on Instagram today for each day of the week:

• Monday: 7 a.m.
• Tuesday: 7 a.m.
• Wednesday: 7 a.m.
• Thursday: 7 a.m.
• Friday: 4 p.m.
• Saturday: 7 a.m.
• Sunday: 7 p.m.

1. Best Time to Post on Instagram on Monday

   For Mondays, the sweet spot is early in the morning, around 7 a.m. That’s when you’ll get the most engagement. You can also catch a little boost at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

   • Best Time to Post on Monday: 7 a.m.

2. Best Time to Post on Instagram on Tuesday

   Tuesdays also shine in the morning, with the best time to post on Instagram happening at 7 a.m. If you’re posting later, aim for the early evening around 6 p.m. for some extra love.

   • Best Time to Post on Tuesday: 7 a.m.

3. Best Time to Post on Instagram on Tuesday

   Wednesdays are similar, with 7 a.m. being the peak time for engagement. Don’t expect any major spikes later in the day.

   • Best Time to Post on Wednesday: 7 a.m.

4. Best Time to Post on Instagram on Tuesday

   For Thursdays, your best bets are 7 a.m., 8 a.m., or 4 p.m. These times tend to get the most engagement throughout the day.

   • Best Time to Post on Thursday: 7 a.m.

5. Best Time to Post on Instagram on Friday

   Fridays are a bit different. The magic happens at 4 p.m., but you’ll also see good engagement between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. Fridays generally offer more high-engagement moments.

   • Best Time to Post on Friday: 4 p.m.

6. Best Time to Post on Instagram on Friday

   On Saturdays, aim for 7 a.m. for the best engagement, though weekends typically have lower activity compared to weekdays. Posting between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. can also work well.

   • Best Time to Post on Saturday: 7 a.m.

7. Best Time to Post on Instagram on Friday

   Sundays are best for evening posts, between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Mornings are usually slow as people are taking their time to wake up.

   • Best Time to Post on Sunday: 7 p.m.

What is the Best Day of the Week to Post on Instagram?

When it comes to the best time to post on Instagram overall, weekdays are generally your best bet. If you’re looking for the top days to maximize engagement, Monday and Friday take the lead. They’re a step ahead of the rest of the week in terms of getting likes and comments.

On the flip side, weekends aren’t ideal. Saturday and Sunday see significantly lower engagement compared to weekdays, so it’s wise to concentrate your posts during the week for better results.

Best Time to Post Different Instagram Content Types

Wondering when to post different types of Instagram content for maximum engagement? Let’s explore the best times to publish each format and boost your engagement rates.

1. Best Times to Post Instagram Reels

   So, when is the best time to post on Instagram Reels? Aim for between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. on weekdays. This timing aligns perfectly with the prime moments for engagement on Instagram.

   People use different parts of Instagram at different times—Stories to catch up with friends, Exploring to discover new content, and Reels for entertainment. To effectively schedule your Instagram Reel– for maximum visibility, try posting in the evening. Your followers will have more time to scroll and enjoy your content before they hit the hay, as opposed to the rush of morning hours.

2. Best Time to Post Instagram Videos

   The ideal time to schedule social media video posts on is between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. During these hours, users are more likely to engage with video content as they unwind after work or school, leading to higher viewership and interaction rates. Videos posted at this time can capture attention when users have more leisure time to watch and engage.

3. Best Time to Post Instagram Stories

   For Instagram Stories, the optimal time to post is also between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. This timeframe sees the highest levels of engagement as users scroll through their feeds in the evening. However, if you’re in the B2B sector, posting Stories during lunchtime (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) can be beneficial.

   During lunch breaks, business professionals often browse their apps, increasing the chances of reaching a targeted audience. Utilizing a Social Media Stories Publishing Tool can help streamline this process, allowing for timely and effective posts. Despite this, evening remains the peak time globally for Instagram Stories engagement.

4. Best Time to Go Live on Instagram

   The best time to go live on Instagram is in the evening, typically after 7 p.m., when users are more relaxed and available to tune into live broadcasts. Going live at this time increases the likelihood of capturing your audience’s attention as they are more likely to be at home, ready to interact with content in real-time.

5. Best Time to Post Instagram Carousels

   Instagram carousels, like videos and Stories, perform best when posted between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. This is when users are most active and have the time to engage with multi-image posts, which often require more attention than single photos. Posting carousels during these hours can increase engagement as users are more likely to swipe through all images and interact with the content.

How to Find Your Best Time to Post on Instagram Using Insights?

While the recommended peak posting times can serve as a great starting point, it’s essential to customize your strategy based on your specific audience’s behavior. Pairing general engagement data with your own Instagram analytics can help you find the best times to reach your target followers and increase your follower count. By analyzing your own data, you may uncover different time slots when your audience is most active.

If you have a creator or business account, follow these steps to use Instagram Insights and find your optimal posting times:

1. From your profile, tap the ≡ icon in the top right corner.
2. Select “Insights.”
3. Under the “Overview” section, tap on the metrics or content categories for more detailed insights.
4. Tap “Total Followers” to access data about your audience, then scroll down to view their most active times by hour and day.

Using this information, you can tailor your posting schedule to better align with when your followers are online, potentially increasing engagement and visibility. Keep in mind that user behavior can shift over time, so it’s important to periodically revisit your Insights to adjust your strategy accordingly.

How to Find Your Own Best Time to Post on Instagram?

While the general timeframes mentioned earlier can give you a solid starting point, don’t just follow them blindly. The best time to post on Instagram can vary from one account to another, and your ideal posting times might not line up perfectly with the general recommendations.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to “when is the best time to post on Instagram.” Your peak engagement times will likely be unique to your audience.

If your followers are super consistent throughout the week and active during workdays and weekends, your ideal posting time might differ from the norm. For example, if your audience is most active in the early evening and tends to engage more on Wednesdays around 6 p.m. in your local time zone, that’s your sweet spot.

Take Viralpep’s experience, for instance. Our audience engages best when we post between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. PST on weekdays. Mondays at 7 p.m. PST, or 10 p.m. EST, are especially effective for us. However, weekends show lower engagement, so we often skip posting on Saturdays and Sundays.

Ultimately, to nail down the best time to post on Instagram for your specific audience, track your own engagement data. Experiment with different posting times and use your insights to find out what works best for you. This way, you can fine-tune your strategy to maximize engagement and get the most out of your Instagram presence.

Your Ultimate Checklist for Crushing Instagram Posts

Finding the best time to post on Instagram is vital for maxing out your engagement, but it’s just one part of the equation. To really make your posts pop, use this checklist:

• Use Instagram’s Latest Features: Instagram loves it when you use new tools like Stories and Reels. They’re a great way to get your content in front of fresh eyes and boost your visibility.
• Try Different Content Types: Mix things up with various content formats to see what your audience digs. It’s also a cool way to reuse and repurpose your content.
• Nail Your Captions: Fascinating research shows captions that are either super long (over 2,000 characters) or super short (under 20 characters) get the most engagement. Don’t forget to throw in some emojis to make your captions pop!
• Rock Your Content: Posts with trending content generally get more love. Viralpep’s scheduling feature makes it easy to keep your content on point.
• Prioritize Real Engagement: Forget chasing algorithm tricks. Instead, focus on authentic interactions—reply to comments, share user-generated content, and engage with your followers’ posts.
• Analyze and Adjust: Use Instagram Insights to find out which posts are killing it. Viralpep’s social media analytics tool can also help you quickly spot your top-performing content.

What’s your secret for figuring out the best time to post on Instagram? Drop your tips @Viralpep on social media and let’s chat!

Conclusion

Few things are as frustrating as not getting the reach you hoped for on the Instagram posts you’ve worked so hard to create. Fortunately, now you have the knowledge to avoid this. By applying the strategies and timing discussed, you can identify the optimal times to post on Instagram and gradually improve your engagement.

While you may not see immediate results, consistency is key. Over time, you’ll notice better interaction with your audience and increased visibility among potential prospects.

However, remember that even posting at the best times can only take you so far—your content still needs to engage and resonate with your audience. If your posts don’t spark interest, even perfect timing won’t bring in the desired likes or comments.

If you’re a social media marketer managing multiple Instagram accounts, the most efficient solution is to leverage an Instagram automation tool like Viralpep. Viralpep allows you to schedule social media posts, stories, and reels in advance, ensuring that your content is shared at the most opportune times without the hassle of manual posting.

By using Viralpep, you can optimize your posting schedule, maximize engagement, and save valuable time. Ready to experience the benefits for yourself? Start using Viralpep today to streamline your social media strategy and watch your Instagram engagement grow!

Frequently Asked Questions