Best Time to Post on Instagram in 2025

Choosing the right posting time on Instagram is essential as every post battles for attention in an algorithm-driven feed. If you are putting hours into crafting the ideal Instagram post but aren’t seeing the engagement you hoped for, the culprit could be the time when you hit ‘share.’ Posting at the right time can be the difference between your content skyrocketing or getting lost in the sea of limitless scrolls.

The “best time” to post varies depending on several factors, including the day of the week and your audience’s activity patterns. What works on Monday might not be effective on a Friday, and your Instagram Story may require a different strategy altogether. That’s why it’s essential to understand the optimal times for other days.

In this article, we’ll discuss the best times to post on Instagram, focusing on key days of the week. We’ll also offer tips for getting the most out of your Instagram Story, as stories play a huge role in keeping your followers engaged. Get ready to discover the sweet spots for posting that will help you get the attention your content deserves.

Without further ado, let’s dive right into more details.

Best Times to Post on Instagram

Timing is essential for success on Instagram as it is the key to maximizing social media engagement, views, and follower growth. The best times to post on Instagram depend on when your followers are most active, and it can vary based on their time zones, habits, and even the type of content you’re posting.

By conducting deep research from the top blogs, we have concluded the ultimate best times to post on Instagram as follows:

What is the Best Time to Post on Instagram on Monday?

The best times to post on Instagram on Monday are 7 AM, 11 AM, 3 PM, and 10 PM.

7 AM: Rise and shine. People are just starting their day, scrolling through their feeds for inspiration.

11 AM: Mid-morning break time. It is perfect for catching those taking a coffee break and checking social media.

3 PM: People need a quick mental escape during the afternoon slump.

10 PM: Late-night scrolling is a thing. Perfect for catching those winding down before bed.

What is the Best Time to Post on Instagram on Tuesday?

The best times to post on Instagram on Tuesday are 10 AM – 3 PM, 4 PM, and 9 PM

10 AM – 3 PM: Folks are in work mode but take small breaks to check Instagram. Post during this window to catch the midday crowd.

4 PM: The day is almost over. People are winding down and ready to catch up on their feeds.

9 PM: After dinner and some relaxation, people are prepared to scroll in peace before bed.

What is the Best Time to Post on Instagram on Wednesday?

The best times to post on Instagram on Wednesday are 9 AM, 11 AM, and 3 PM.

9 AM: A fresh start to the day. People are getting their morning coffee and catching up on social media.

11 AM: Mid-morning scroll time, as people settle into their workday.

3 PM: That post-lunch slump. It’s time for a quick social media break.

What is the Best Time to Post on Instagram on Thursday?

The best times to post on Instagram on Thursday are 9 AM, 1 PM, 2 PM, and 4 PM

9 AM: People are getting into their groove, checking Instagram before doing their tasks.

1 PM: Lunchtime scroll. Folks are chilling and catching up on their feeds.

2 PM: A bit of a second wind after lunch. Perfect for sneaky social media checks.

4 PM: The day’s winding down, and people are thinking about the weekend already!

What is the Best Time to Post on Friday?

The best times to post on Instagram on Friday are 11 AM, 2 PM, and 4 PM.

11 AM: People are getting excited for the weekend. Post when everyone is dreaming of their Friday plans.

2 PM: The weekend vibes are kicking in. People are checking out what’s trending.

4 PM: That final stretch before the weekend hits. It’s the perfect time for a quick scroll.

What is the Best Time to Post on Saturday?

The best times to post on Instagram on Saturday are 2 PM, 3 PM, and 6 PM

2 PM: Lazy morning brunch time. People are enjoying their day and scrolling through Instagram for fun ideas.

3 PM: People are out and about, hanging out with friends or grabbing a coffee. It’s a great time to share something cool.

6 PM: The weekend evening vibes are strong. Everyone’s gearing up for fun plans, so they’ll check Instagram for event inspiration.

What is the Best Time to Post on Sunday?

The best times to post on Instagram on Sunday are 12 PM, 5 PM, and 6 PM

12 PM: Lazy Sunday vibes. Perfect for catching people just waking up and browsing their feeds.

5 PM: The weekend is winding down, and people are reflecting on their plans for the week ahead.

6 PM: That perfect evening scroll as people relax and prepare for Monday.

Pro Tip: You can understand the best times to post by observing and following global patterns; however, the best times to post on Instagram might vary based on your audience’s location or the day of the week you post.

For example, if your audience is US-based, the best timings may differ from those in the UK. This was just an overview. Keep reading to learn the best time to post on Instagram in detail.

Best Days to Post On Instagram

The best days to post on Instagram are Monday and Thursday. Friday tends to show less engagement since people are winding down their week and getting ready for the weekend. Sundays are also a great option if you’re looking for more interaction, as people like to scroll through social media to plan for the week ahead.

Mondays are especially good because everyone starts fresh and checks what’s happening online.

So, if you want to catch people’s attention, aim for Monday, Thursday, or Sunday.

What is the Best Time to Post on Instagram in 2025?

The best time to post on Instagram in 2025 is typically between 10 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM on weekdays, especially Mondays and Thursdays, when engagement rates are highest. However, optimal times can vary based on where your audience is located and the type of content you’re sharing.

Best Times to Post by Day of the Week and Content Type

We’ve put together a simple table to help you find the best times to post. This table shows the best times to post on Instagram depending on the day of the week and the type of content you’re sharing. Look at the table below to see the best times for each type of post throughout the week.

This will help readers quickly understand the optimal times for different types of content across the week, making the information more accessible and easier to reference.

Changing Audience Habits in 2025

As we move into 2025, people’s Instagram habits are changing. We’re seeing more people scrolling in the evenings as they relax after work, and lunch breaks are becoming the best times to post on Instagram.

1. The Rise of Evening Scrolling and Lunch Break Engagement

More users engage with content later, especially during lunch breaks. This shift means it’s important to post when your audience is taking a moment to unwind or relax.

2. Impact of Global Work-From-Home (WFH) Trends

With more people working from home, their schedules have become more flexible. This results in more varied Instagram activity, with users being online at different times, such as early mornings, mid-morning breaks, or late afternoons.

3, Why Understanding These Trends Matters

Because of these changes in audience behavior, adjusting your posting times to match these new habits is important.

Now, let’s examine the best times to post based on where your audience is located.

Best Times to Post on Instagram by Location

The best times to post on Instagram can vary depending on where your audience is located. People in different time zones have different habits, so posting when your followers are most active can help you get more engagement.

Here’s a breakdown of the best times to post on Instagram based on different locations so you can maximize your engagement:

What are the Best Times to Post on Instagram for Australia?

Best Times: 4 PM – 7 PM

In Australia, people check social media after work, so evening hours are ideal for attracting attention. Posting between 4 PM and 7 PM will catch people’s attention as they relax and unwind.

What are the Best Times to Post on Instagram for Bangladesh?

Best Times: 5 AM, 11 AM, 7 PM to 9 PM

In Bangladesh, evenings are the best time to post. People usually check their phones after dinner or during their downtime, so 7 PM to 9 PM is a sweet spot for more engagement.

What are the Best Times to Post on Instagram for the Philippines?

Best Times: 11 AM – 1 PM

In the Philippines, posting around lunchtime (11 AM to 1 PM) works well because people take breaks or scroll through their phones during lunch.

What are the Best Times to Post on Instagram for Pakistan?

Best Times: 7 AM – 9 AM, 1 PM – 3 PM, 7 PM – 9 PM

In Pakistan, people are most active on Instagram in the early morning, evening, after work, and dinner. Posting between these times will help you reach more people as they wind down their day.

What are the Best Times to Post on Instagram for Canada?

Best Times: 9 AM – 11 AM, 12 PM – 3 PM

In Canada, posting is best from mid-morning to early afternoon, as people are likely to check their phones during breaks or lunch hours.

What are the Best Times to Post on Instagram for the USA?

Best Times: 10 AM – 2 PM

In the U.S., posting during the late morning and early afternoon (10 AM to 3 PM) works well as people take breaks from work or school and browse social media.

What are the Best Times to Post on Instagram for India?

Best Times: 8 AM – 10 AM, 9 PM onwards

In India, people are most active on Instagram in the morning or after work in the evening. Posting between these times will help you reach more people as they relax and check their feeds.

By posting at the right time based on location, you can boost your chances of getting more likes, comments, and shares. Remember that your audience’s time zones and habits play a significant role when they’re online.

Best Times To Go Live On Instagram

Going live on Instagram yields the best results when your audience is most active. This is because the more active users, the more people are likely to join your live session. So, going live on Instagram is preferred at the following times:

• Monday to Friday: 12 PM
• Prime-time evenings 7 PM – 9 PM
• Special events or announcements: Anytime, with prior promotion

You should avoid going live if:

• During weekends
• Early mornings
• Late nights

Pro Tip: Promoting your live session through Stories and posts to maximize viewership before going live is always a great idea. Now, let’s look at how you can find the best times to post on Instagram.

Best Times to Post On Instagram For Different Industries

There is no one-size-fits-all answer regarding the best times to post on Instagram. Our insights are based on the best times, mainly observed from our research and available data. So, the best times to post on Instagram for different industries are discussed below.

1. Healthcare Industry

Healthcare providers, hospitals, and clinics utilize Instagram for much more than navigating healthcare crises. They use it to educate the public, promote different healthcare-related programs, find talented healthcare experts, and encourage patients to feel more comfortable with their services and visit them.

So, for the healthcare industry, it is essential to know when to post.

According to our research, globally, the best time for healthcare providers to post on Instagram is usually between 10 AM and 3 PM on working days.

2. Restaurants

The restaurant industry uses Instagram more frequently. From reaching their target audience to promoting new dishes, restaurants make the most of this platform to gain followers, boost awareness, and attract more engagement.

Knowing the best times to post is essential for them. Restaurants saw two times more engagements this year during lunch hours, usually from 10 AM to 2 PM.

3. Travel and Tourism

The travel and tourism industries benefit from using Instagram. Posting at the best times can enhance viewership, likes, visibility, and reach. The best times, with the highest engagement rates, are between 9 AM and 5 PM on almost all weekdays.

However, data observation showed that the highest engagement was on Wednesday from 2 PM to 4 PM. Then, on Sundays from 11 AM to 1 PM.

4. Fitness and Wellness

The best times to post on Instagram for fitness and wellness depend on when your audience is most active. People usually check their phones when they wake up, during breaks at work, or in the evening after they finish their day.

On weekdays, the best times to post are from 6 AM to 8 AM and 7 PM to 10 PM, whereas on weekends, post from 10 AM to 12 PM and in the evening for higher engagement.

5. Food and Beverage

When posting about food and beverages on Instagram, it’s essential to consider when people think about eating or enjoying a drink. Most people scroll through social media when they are hungry, looking for recipe ideas or planning meals. They might also look for new food trends or reviews when they’re out for a meal or a snack.

Weekdays: 12 PM – 1 PM

Weekends: 9 AM – 10 AM, 1 PM and 6 PM – 8 PM

Posts about food do well when people think about lunch, dinner, or even their next snack. They may also seek inspiration while relaxing or winding down after a busy day.

How to Find Your Own Best Times To Post On Instagram?

To find the best times to post on Instagram, follow these simple steps:

1. Use Instagram Insights

If you have a business or creator account, go to your profile and tap on Insights. Under Audience, you’ll see when your followers are most active (by day and time).

2. Test at Different Times

Try posting at different times of the day (morning, afternoon, evening) for a week or two. Track which times get the most likes, comments, and views.

3. Consider Your Audience

Think about when your followers are likely to be online. For example, posting after school hours might be best if you target students.

4. Check for Patterns

After a few posts, look for patterns in engagement. If you get more interaction at certain times, that’s a sign of the best time for you.

5. Consistency

Once you find your best times, stick to a schedule and post regularly during those windows. You’ll find the best times to reach your audience using Insights and testing different times.

Other Best Ways

Besides using Instagram insights to see the best times to post on Instagram, here are some other great options;

1. Experiment with Posting Times

Try posting at different times throughout the day and week, and track which times yield the best engagement.

2. Analyze Results

Regularly review the insights and adjust your Instagram posting schedule for the highest reach.

How to Find Your Best Time to Post on Instagram with SocialBu

A smart social media scheduling and management tool like SocialBu can provide detailed analytics to help you figure out the best times to post on Instagram. These analytics can help you gain insights by comparing your account’s performance to that of your competitors.

SocialBu’s analytics provide insights into your posts’ performance. Review these analytics to see which days and times are most engaging.

Another way to determine the best times to post with SocialBu is to examine metrics like likes, comments, and shares at different times of the day. Then, you can determine trends for the highest-performing time slots.

Furthermore, you can use SocialBu’s automated scheduling to post on Instagram at your best times.

Pro Tip: You can test different time slots to determine what works best. SocialBu’s post-scheduling feature can help you with this. You can also compare results over time to refine your posting strategy further.

How to Schedule Instagram Posts with SocialBu

Scheduling Instagram posts with SocialBu takes hardly five minutes. It streamlines content management and enhances online presence. Follow these steps to plan your content with just one click.

Step 1: Create an Account on SocialBu

To get started, sign up for a SocialBu account. Register with your name and email address and create a secure password.

Step 2: Choose a Subscription

You can choose one of the three subscription plans for your social media management needs. You will receive an email to verify your SocialBu account.

Step 3: Add a Social Media Account

Connect your Instagram account to SocialBu. Follow the simple authentication process to grant SocialBu access to your Instagram profile.

Step 4: Add a New Post

To schedule a new Instagram post on SocialBu, go to “Publish” from the side menu and tap the “+ Create Post” button from the dashboard.

Step 5: Insert Media Files and Caption

The “New Post” button will enable you to create an Instagram post from scratch, including captions, hashtags, and media files. Tap “Add Media” to upload images and videos to SocialBu’s media library.

Then, type in the caption you wish to go up with the media you have added. Also, add relevant hashtags to increase your post’s reach once it goes on the feed.

Step 6: Schedule Your Post

Tap “Schedule” to select a date you want to schedule your Instagram post.

Once you’ve done this, click on “Schedule.”

There you go—your post has now been scheduled for a later date with just a click.

See how simple it is to leverage the user-friendly interface and advanced features of this fantastic social media management tool. You can enjoy the benefits of efficient content planning and focus on building meaningful connections with your followers while SocialBu handles the rest.

Common Mistakes When Posting on Instagram (And How to Avoid Them)

Instagram is among the best places to showcase your brand and drive engagement and business growth. Unfortunately, this also means that many brands and individuals make rookie mistakes, which can hamper their success on the platform. To ensure you’re getting the most out of your Instagram, you need to know the best times to post on Instagram.

However, you also need to be aware of more common mistakes. To help you with that, we have highlighted some errors and ways to avoid them.

1. No Audience Data or Insights

Mistake:

A common error is not using the analytics built into Instagram or a third-party app to review how your audience behaves. Not reviewing any insights on your followers’ activity can result in delivering posts when your audience is either not on Instagram or is engaged.

Solution:

Use the Instagram Insights feature to monitor when your audience is most active, the type of content that drives the highest engagement, and relevant metrics such as follower growth and engagement rates. Track this information over time and modify your posting schedule.

You can also evaluate trends and utilize the features of social media management tools like SocialBu to measure their effectiveness.

2. Inconsistent Posting Schedule

Mistake:

If you post too infrequently, you risk losing your audience’s attention. Alternatively, posting too frequently can overwhelm your audience and cause your posts to disappear from people’s feeds. Either way, it will decrease engagement, harming your Instagram algorithm.

Solution:

The best way to avoid this mistake is to follow a consistent posting schedule. Consistency is key to keeping your audience engaged, whether you post daily or a few times weekly. Social media post scheduling tools like SocialBu can help you maintain consistency without manual effort.

3. Posting at the Wrong Times

Mistake:

Posting when your audience is offline reduces your chances of engagement. If your posts go live when people are at work or asleep, they might miss them entirely.

Solution:

Use Instagram Insights or third-party tools to check when your followers are most active. The best times to post are generally between 12 PM and 3 PM or 6 PM and 9 PM, but you should tailor this based on your audience’s time zone and habits. Posting during peak hours increases the likelihood of quick engagement.

4. Neglecting Engagement with Your Audience

Mistake:

Instagram is a platform for interaction, not just posting. If you don’t respond to comments, like posts, or engage with your followers, they may feel ignored, thus limiting your growth.

Solution:

Make an effort to engage with your followers regularly. Reply to comments, like their posts, and interact with their content when relevant. This builds a sense of community, strengthens relationships, and increases engagement, which can improve your visibility in the Instagram algorithm.

5. Not Using Hashtags Properly

Mistake:

Using too few, too many, or irrelevant hashtags can limit your post’s reach. Hashtags are crucial to making your content discoverable, but must be used correctly.

Solution:

Use a mix of popular, relevant, and niche-specific hashtags in your posts. Although Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, using 8 – 12 well-researched hashtags can give you the best results. Look into which hashtags are trending in your industry and include a variety in your content to reach a broader audience.

6. Posting Low-Quality Content

Mistake:

Instagram is a visual platform, so posting poorly lit, blurry, or thoughtless content can turn people away. This can damage your brand image and reduce engagement.

Solution:

Focus on creating high-quality content. Take well-lit photos, ensure your videos are clear, and design visually appealing graphics. Apps like Canva can help with design, while tools like VSCO or Adobe Lightroom are excellent for editing photos. Remember, good content shows professionalism and attracts more followers.

Final Takeaway

Making the most of Instagram is not just about constructing stunning content; it’s about knowing when to share it. Understanding the best times to post on Instagram lets you determine when your audience is most active. This can help you turn ordinary posts into engagement powerhouses.

Timing is everything when it comes to getting more likes, increasing your followers, or growing your brand’s visibility. The ideal moment to post is just one click away, so why wait? Start planning your Instagram schedule today with SocialBu and effortlessly transform your engagement. Try it for Free today.

FAQs

Q: What is the best time of day to post on Instagram?

The best times to post on Instagram are between 12 PM and 3 PM and 6 PM and 9 PM. However, this can vary depending on your audience’s location and habits.

Q: What is the golden hour on Instagram?

The golden hour typically refers to the time just after sunrise and before sunset. For Instagram, posting early in the morning (around 7 AM) or late in the afternoon can attract more engagement, as users are more likely to engage when they are winding down or starting their day.

Q: What time are Instagram followers most active? What is the best time to post on Instagram in Pakistan?

In Pakistan, Instagram followers are most active from 7 to 9 AM, 1 to 2 PM, and 7 to 9 PM. Posting during these times will help maximize engagement.

Q: How to increase engagement on Instagram?

Post during peak times to increase engagement, use relevant hashtags, and interact with your followers by responding to comments and engaging with their posts.

Q: Do hashtags work on Instagram?

Yes, hashtags are essential for increasing the discoverability of your posts. Use a mix of popular, relevant, and niche-specific hashtags to expand your reach.

Q: How to grow fast on Instagram?

To grow quickly, post consistently during peak times, engage with your followers regularly, use relevant hashtags, and share high-quality content. You can also run ads and collaborate with influencers.