Best Time to Post on Instagram in 2025 & How to Find It

In 2025, Instagram remains one of the most crucial marketing platforms for brands and businesses, offering tons of opportunities to connect with target audiences. But with so much content flooding users’ feeds, how can you ensure your posts stand out and get noticed? The answer is finding the best time to post on Instagram, when your audience is most likely to engage.

Is there a single magical time, or are there multiple windows that work? By analyzing Instagram’s built-in tools, you can start to uncover your audience’s patterns, but finding the ideal time can still be elusive. To help, we’ve researched data from over 500,000 posts to pinpoint the best time to post on Instagram for likes.

Navigating through this can be tricky, but with our data-backed insights and tips, you’ll be ready to boost your Instagram strategy.

Let’s dive in!

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When is The Best Time to Post on Instagram

Instagram users tend to check their feeds during short breaks throughout the day, right after waking up, mid-morning, or during lunch. Unlike more desktop-heavy platforms, Instagram activity follows the rhythm of mobile habits and quick scrolls between tasks.

According to our data, the best posting window falls between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday. These hours see a natural spike in activity as people start their day and check in before work or school. Morning posts tend to get picked up faster, driving more reach and interaction.

The heatmap chart above highlights when engagement typically peaks. You’ll notice the darkest areas clustering around weekday mornings, clear signs that early posting pays off.

In particular, Tuesday at 9 a.m. came out on top across most accounts, with Wednesday and Thursday mornings following close behind. On the flip side, weekends, especially Sunday, tend to be quieter, with fewer likes and comments overall.

Surprisingly, posting at 6 a.m. on Monday can give your content a head start, landing on top of users’ feeds just as they start scrolling. Early posts often face less competition, boosting their visibility.

Overall, aim to post between 9 a.m. and noon on weekdays to stay within Instagram’s high-engagement window. Activity usually dips after lunchtime and drops off sharply late at night.

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Best Day and Time to Post on Instagram  [2025 Stats]

Below, we’ve outlined the best time to post on Instagram for each day of the week, based on trends observed across various industries and audience types. While results may vary by niche, these insights offer a strong starting point for planning your content schedule.

Best time to post on Instagram on Monday

• 6 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m, 3 p.m.

Monday tends to kick off strong on Instagram. Engagement rises sharply in the early morning as users scroll before work or during their commute. The 6 a.m. slot surprisingly performs well, likely due to less content competition and high morning visibility. Activity stays steady through mid-morning, especially around 9 to 11 a.m., when people pause for short breaks.

Best time to post on Instagram on Tuesday

• 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m.

Tuesday is one of the best days overall. By now, people are settled into their weekly rhythm and are more likely to check Instagram during downtime. 8–10 a.m. continues to perform well, with a bonus window around 1 p.m. when users take midday breaks and reach for their phones during lunch.

Best time to post on Instagram on Wednesday

• 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 3 p.m.

Wednesday marks a clear high point for engagement. Our data shows consistent performance in the early to mid-morning hours, with 9 a.m. seeing some of the strongest results of the entire week. Many users check in multiple times throughout the day, so even 11 a.m., 3 p.m. posts tend to perform above average.

Best time to post on Instagram on Thursday

• 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 p.m.

Instagram usage on Thursdays mirrors mid-week patterns, with strong engagement from 8 a.m. through noon. Users are still in a routine mindset, making it a great day for brands to publish stories, reels, or carousels that encourage shares and saves.

Best time to post on Instagram on Friday

• 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m.

Fridays are tricky, morning is strong, but engagement tends to drop by late afternoon as people transition into weekend mode. To maximize reach, post earlier in the day. 9–11 a.m. is the sweet spot, with 1 p.m. as a secondary option for catching users during lunch.

Best time to post on Instagram on Saturday

• 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m.

Saturday sees lighter but still valuable engagement. The key is timing. 10 a.m. is a solid moment, as people scroll in bed or over breakfast. Noon offers another opening as users relax mid-day. Avoid early mornings and evenings, when activity becomes more unpredictable.

Best time to post on Instagram on Sunday

• 9 a.m., 11 a.m.

Instagram traffic slows down on Sundays, but there’s still a chance to connect with your audience. Engagement is highest before noon, especially around 9–11 a.m., when people tend to check in one last time before preparing for the week ahead. Afternoon and evening slots typically underperform.

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Best Time to Post on Instagram by Industry

Not every audience scrolls Instagram the same way. A fashion brand’s peak time might be completely different from a public service agency’s. That’s why timing your content around industry-specific behaviors can dramatically improve engagement.

Below, we break down the best days and times to post on Instagram in 2025 for key industries, based on active user trends and interaction data.

eCommerce and retail

• Best days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
• Best times: 9 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m.

Shoppers browse early and during lunch breaks. Morning and midday posts drive clicks, especially for product drops and flash sales. Wednesdays also show strong conversion intent.

Apparels & fashion

• Best days: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
• Best times: 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 7 p.m.

Fashion content thrives on both aesthetic appeal and timing. Weekday mornings see strong engagement as users look for style inspiration before heading out or planning their outfits. Tuesday and Thursday perform especially well for new arrivals and trend drops.

Saturday evenings around 7 p.m. are another best time to post on Instagram, users are relaxing, scrolling, or planning outfits for social events. Reels, lookbooks, and try-on clips tend to gain extra traction during this time.

Healthcare and wellness

• Best days: Tuesday, Thursday
• Best times: 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.

Early birds engage with health content before the day begins. Whether it’s a mindfulness reminder or a nutrition tip, mornings on weekdays deliver the best interaction.

Education & online learning

• Best days: Wednesday, Thursday
• Best times: 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m.

Midweek mornings are ideal for connecting with students, educators, and parents. A second bump around early afternoon captures those browsing during study breaks or lunch.

Financial services

• Best days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
• Best times: 9 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m.

Financial content performs best during structured work hours. Early to mid-morning is great for timely news or financial tips, while afternoons work well for explainer posts or updates.

Government & public services

• Best days: Monday to Friday
• Best times: 9 a.m., 12 p.m., 5 p.m.

Engagement peaks during the workday. Morning posts capture attention for service updates, while noon and end-of-day reminders are great for announcements or resources.

Food, beverage & restaurants

• Best days: Tuesday, Friday
• Best times: 9 a.m., 12 p.m., 5 p.m.

Hunger scrolls are real. Posts around mealtimes perform best. Fridays at 5 p.m. are golden for showcasing weekend menus, while Tuesday lunch posts stir cravings and shares.

Travel, hospitality & tourism

• Best day: Sunday
• Best times: 9 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m.

Wanderlust hits hardest on Sunday. That’s when users plan getaways, scroll deals, or dream of their next trip. Inspire them with scenic posts and offers before noon.

Nonprofit & advocacy

• Best days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
• Best times: 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 3 p.m.

Supporter engagement is strongest in the morning. Use these times for fundraising, volunteer calls, or awareness content. Mid-afternoon is also great for event promos or progress updates.

Media, sports & entertainment

• Best days: Tuesday, Wednesday
• Best times: 10 a.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m.

Mid-mornings are perfect for headlines, teasers, or trending news. Evenings, especially post-dinner, are high-energy slots where users catch up on games, shows, or pop culture.

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Best Time to Post on Instagram by Location & Time Zone

Instagram activity also changes depending on where your audience lives. Time zones, daily routines, and cultural habits all play a role in when people scroll, like, and share. Here’s a region-by-region breakdown to help you post when your followers are most likely to engage.

United States

• Best times: 8–9 a.m., 11 a.m.–12 p.m., 3–7 p.m.
• Best days: Monday and Wednesday

U.S. users typically check Instagram in short bursts—early in the morning, during lunch, and in the late afternoon. The 8–9 a.m. window catches morning routines, while 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. sees a lunchtime spike. Late afternoons into early evenings (3–7 p.m.) also show strong activity, especially for reels and stories.

Canada

• Best times: 7 a.m., 12–1 p.m., 5–8 p.m.
• Best days: Monday to Thursday

Instagram usage in Canada follows a similar rhythm to the U.S. Early mornings (7 a.m.) work well for reaching professionals, while lunch and evening hours offer high visibility for brand content and product posts.

United Kingdom & Europe 

• Best times: 7–9 a.m., 12–1 p.m., 5–8 p.m.
• Best days: Tuesday and Thursday

Across the UK and much of Europe, engagement peaks during standard workday transitions. Early morning scrolls (often before 9 a.m.), followed by lunch breaks and after-work hours, are the best times to reach users as they move through daily routines.

Australia

• Best times: 7 a.m., 12–1 p.m., 5–8 p.m.
• Best days: Monday and Wednesday

Aussie users tend to be early risers, 7 a.m. posts get solid traction. Activity continues through midday breaks and evening relaxation hours, when people wind down and spend more time engaging with visual content like reels and carousels.

India

• Best times: 1–2 p.m., 6–9 p.m.
• Best days: Monday and Friday

In India, Instagram is most active during lunchtime scrolls and after-work browsing. Posting at 1 p.m. can boost visibility just as users go on break, while evening hours are perfect for story engagement and entertainment-style content.

Southeast Asia

• Best times: 8–10 a.m., 12–1 p.m., 7–9 p.m.
• Best days: Monday to Thursday

Southeast Asian users show consistent Instagram activity across three windows: early morning, lunchtime, and evening. Engagement tends to be highest at night, especially for short-form video. Weekdays consistently outperform weekends in this region.

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Best Time to Post Reels on Instagram

Instagram Reels also show unique engagement windows throughout the week. 

Here’s a breakdown of the best posting times by day, helping you time your uploads when your audience is most likely to engage:

• Monday: 6 a.m., 9 a.m., 12 p.m.
• Tuesday: 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 2 p.m.
• Wednesday: 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 3 p.m.
• Thursday: 9 a.m., 12 p.m., 4 p.m.
• Friday: 7 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 6 p.m.
• Sunday: 9 a.m., 12 p.m., 5 p.m.

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How to Discover Your Own Best Time to Post on Instagram

While general data offers a great starting point, your audience is unique, so the most effective way to find your ideal posting time is by using Instagram Insights. This built-in analytics tool shows exactly when your followers are online and how they interact with your content.

Here’s how to use it:

1. Switch to a professional account

If you haven’t already, switch your Instagram profile to a Business or Creator account. This unlocks access to Instagram Insights for free.

2. Open the Professional dashboard

Go to your profile, click on “Professional dashboard,” and find the Insights section. 

3. Check follower activity

Click on the “New followers” tab, and scroll down to “Most Active Times.” You’ll see a breakdown of when your followers are online, by day and hour.

• Look for consistent high activity periods across the week.
• Prioritize time slots when most of your followers are online.

4. Review top-performing posts

Go back to the “Insights” section, and navigate to “Account reached”. 

Check which time and day those high-performing posts were published. Look for patterns that match your audience’s active hours.

5. Test, track, and adjust

Try posting at different times over the course of a few weeks. Then compare how each post performs. Over time, you’ll learn which time slots drive the most likes, comments, shares, and reach.

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Best Time to Post on Instagram – FAQs

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Conclusion

Mastering the best time to post on Instagram goes beyond just hitting peak hours. It’s about truly understanding your audience, continuously testing different times, and adjusting based on what works best for you. Instagram’s algorithm rewards engagement, so getting your timing right can help boost your content’s visibility and interaction.

If you’re juggling multiple accounts or need a more efficient way to manage and optimize your posts, the LitCommerce product feed management tool can simplify the process and keep your listings in top shape.

Looking for more ways to elevate your Instagram strategy? Be sure to visit our eCommerce blog for more tips and insights.

With the right approach, timing, and tools, your content will shine.