· 3 min read
Maximum Video Length on TikTok, Reels, Shorts and More (2026)
YouTube Shorts can be up to 3 minutes long. TikTok accepts uploads up to 60 minutes. Instagram has stretched Reels well past its old 90-second cap; 3-minute Reels are standard, and some accounts can go longer, though Instagram says longer Reels may not be recommended to non-followers. Threads supports videos up to 5 minutes. Twitch clips cap at 60 seconds.
Those are the ceilings. The length that performs is usually far shorter.
Limits at a glance
YouTube Shorts: up to 3 minutes (vertical or square). YouTube raised the cap from 60 seconds in late 2024.
TikTok: up to 60 minutes when uploading; shorter when recording in the app.
Instagram Reels: 3 minutes is widely available, with longer limits rolling out to some accounts.
Threads: up to 5 minutes.
Bluesky: raised from 60 seconds to 3 minutes in 2025 and higher since; check the app.
Twitch clips: 5 to 60 seconds. YouTube's Clip feature: 5 to 60 seconds.
Limits change often, so double-check in each app before planning a long format.
The length that actually performs
Platforms reward completion and rewatches, not length. A 25-second clip that people finish beats a 2-minute clip they abandon. For most clips from podcasts and streams, 20 to 60 seconds is the sweet spot, with longer cuts reserved for stories that hold attention the whole way. See ideal short-form video length by platform and why completion rate beats video length.
Setting clip length when you repurpose
When you clip long videos, set a target length per platform instead of cutting everything to the same duration. OptimaClip lets you choose a clip-length range before it searches, so a single episode can produce tight 30-second TikToks and longer 90-second LinkedIn cuts. See best clip length for LinkedIn video.
Longer limits for other platforms
X (Twitter): standard accounts can post videos a little over two minutes; paid tiers allow much longer uploads.
LinkedIn: native video can run up to 15 minutes, but clips of 30 to 90 seconds are what most people finish in the feed.
Facebook: Reels follow similar short limits to Instagram, while regular Facebook videos can be much longer.
Always confirm the current limit in each app; these change more often than any other spec.
When to use the longer limits
Stories with a strong arc, tutorials with several steps, and interviews where the answer builds to a payoff can justify 90 seconds to 3 minutes. If you're unsure, post the tight version first; you can always test a longer cut later.
Frequently asked questions
How long can YouTube Shorts be in 2026?
Up to 3 minutes, as long as the video is vertical or square.
Can Instagram Reels be longer than 90 seconds?
Yes. 3-minute Reels are standard now, and some accounts can post longer ones, though very long Reels may be shown mainly to followers.
What's the best length for a TikTok?
Whatever length keeps people watching to the end. For clips, 20 to 60 seconds is a reliable starting point.
Turn one long video into a week of clips
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