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Instagram · Reels/Feed

Compress video for Instagram

The Instagram headache usually isn't "won't post" — it's the clip looking noticeably soft after posting, because Instagram re-compresses every uploaded video. Rather than feeding it a giant original to mangle, compress locally to a sensible size at 1080p and hand it a clean source. For length, remember three tiers: Reels ≈3 min, Feed ≈60 min, Stories 60s per clip. The tool above defaults to 100MB.

Video editing workstation with a multitrack timeline on screen

Quick answer

Instagram's limits are mostly about length, not size: Reels generally up to 3 minutes (longer for some accounts), Feed video up to 60 minutes, Stories 60 seconds per clip. It re-compresses everything you upload — so compress locally to a sensible size at 1080p first to reduce the re-crush. ConvertMeow runs locally in your browser — no upload, no watermark.

Hand Instagram a clean source

Drag & drop or click to select a fileFiles are processed locally in your browser, never uploaded

Target size

Derives a bitrate from target size ÷ duration and re-encodes; best for short clips.

Instagram length limits by placement

Reels: generally up to 3 minutes (some accounts get longer); Feed video: up to 60 minutes; Stories: 60 seconds per clip, longer footage is auto-split into multiple clips.

Vertical content (Reels / Stories) is best at 9:16; Feed can be square or vertical. Either way, don't exceed 1080p — Instagram compresses higher resolutions back down anyway, just inflating the file.

  • Reels: ≈3 minutes (longer for some accounts).
  • Feed video: ≤60 minutes.
  • Stories: 60 seconds per clip.

Why does my video look blurry on Instagram?

Because Instagram re-compresses every uploaded video. If your original is too high-bitrate or too high-resolution, it crushes it harder and softer. The fix: compress to a sensible size yourself first (e.g. 100MB) at 1080p with a good bitrate, handing it a source it doesn't have to fight — the result comes out cleaner.

Frequently asked questions

It's mostly about length: Reels generally up to 3 minutes (longer for some accounts), Feed video up to 60 minutes, Stories 60 seconds per clip. On size it's more "too big = slow upload / re-crushed", so compress to a sensible size at 1080p first.

Instagram re-compresses uploaded video. Compress to a sensible size yourself first (e.g. 100MB) at 1080p with a sensible bitrate, handing it a clean source — the re-compressed result is much sharper.

No. Compression runs entirely locally in your browser with ffmpeg — never uploaded, no watermark, no cap.

Updated · ConvertMeow team