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Best Time to Post on Instagram

Discover the optimal posting times for Instagram based on your industry.

Engagement:
Best
Great
Good
Below Avg
Avoid
12am
1am
2am
3am
4am
5am
6am
7am
8am
9am
10am
11am
12pm
1pm
2pm
3pm
4pm
5pm
6pm
7pm
8pm
9pm
10pm
11pm
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday

Top 5 Best Times to Post on Instagram

#1
Mon
5pm
95% engagement
#2
Mon
6pm
95% engagement
#3
Mon
7pm
95% engagement
#4
Mon
8pm
95% engagement
#5
Tue
5pm
95% engagement

Instagram Posting Insights

Instagram sees highest engagement during weekday lunches and evenings when users browse during breaks.

Peak Hours

11am-1pm7pm-9pm

Best Days

TuesdayWednesdayThursday

Pro Tips

  • *Post Reels during evening hours for maximum reach
  • *Stories perform well throughout the day
  • *Carousel posts get higher saves when posted mid-week
  • *Use hashtags strategically - 5-10 relevant ones work best

Data based on aggregate research from Sprout Social, Hootsuite, Later, and Buffer studies. Your specific audience may vary - test different times to find what works best for your content.

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How to Use This Tool

  1. 1Select your timezone
  2. 2Choose your industry
  3. 3View the heatmap
  4. 4Click any cell for details
  5. 5Use top 5 times for scheduling

Pro Tips

Consistency matters

Posting at the same times regularly helps Instagram show your content to followers.

Test and learn

Use Instagram Insights to track what works for your specific audience.

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Why Posting Time Matters on Instagram

Instagram's algorithm rewards posts that get quick engagement. When you post while your followers are scrolling, you get more likes and comments in those first 30 minutes.

The sweet spots for Instagram are 11am-1pm during lunch breaks and 7pm-9pm when people unwind after work. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday consistently outperform other days.

Your specific audience might be different. Check your Instagram Insights to see when your followers are actually online.

Time zones matter more than you think. Schedulala handles timezone conversion automatically.

Consistency beats perfection. Posting at the same times each day trains your audience to expect your content.

Key Features:

  • Interactive heatmap showing engagement by hour and day
  • Industry-specific timing recommendations
  • Timezone conversion for global audiences
  • Top 5 posting times based on your niche
  • Works for feed posts, Reels, and Stories
  • Data updated for 2026 Instagram algorithm

Frequently Asked Questions

Generally 11am-1pm and 7pm-9pm on weekdays, especially Tuesday through Thursday.
Yes! Posting when your audience is active increases immediate engagement.
Reels have a longer shelf life. Feed posts rely more on immediate engagement.
Yes, consistency helps. Pick 2-3 time slots and stick with them.
Post when your target audience is awake, not when you are.
It depends on your niche. B2B content sees lower engagement on weekends.
Give each time slot at least 2-4 weeks before judging results.
Yes! Schedulala lets you schedule posts to Instagram at optimal times.

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