Your Instagram post has just gone live and you’re watching the likes trickle in slower than expected. This situation is common for most Instagram users because timing is very important for your Instagram success. A lot of creators are posting at inappropriate times.
As of August 2025, there are more than 2 billion monthly active users on Instagram. They spend an average of 53 minutes per day on this platform. Instagram has grown into a bustling online marketplace where timing is everything. Recent industrial research revealed that posts published at optimal times receive 23% more engagement than those posted randomly. Another study in 2024 has revealed that the gap between posts published during peak and off-peak times leads to a 70% variance in engagement and reach.
The stakes are higher than ever. Instagram’s algorithm prioritizes posts that have immediate engagement. The first few minutes of a post determine whether your content will reach hundreds or thousands of potential followers. Until now 35 million posts have gained a higher engagement rate within the first hour of posting. And these posts were seen easily in a user’s feed throughout the day.
But here’s where things are getting interesting – the “best” time to post isn’t universal. Understanding your followers, when and where they engage will help you outshine your competitors. B2B firms experience high engagement at different times from brands that are more lifestyle -oriented, while fashion accounts do best in an entirely different window than food bloggers.
The impact of strategic timing extends beyond just likes and comments. It is found that accounts posting consistently at optimal times see 40% faster follower growth and 60% higher engagement rates.
For many businesses, this growth rate translates directly into revenue. Shopify data suggests that e-commerce brands and online retailers posting at peak engagement time receive 45% more click-throughs to product pages.
What makes this even more intriguing is how timing preferences have shifted dramatically over the past few years. It is the pandemic that has made a shift in the pattern. Most users scroll on Instagram at night, with engagement rising by 35%, whereas the traditional lunch-hour peaks declined by 18%. Remote work has opened up new windows of engagement that creators are making use of.
This comprehensive guide will decode exactly when your audience are most engaged and reveal the hidden factors that influence optimal posting times. We aim to provide you with a data-driven strategy to maximize every single post of your brand.
Learn why Wednesday 11 am might be perfect for one account, but a disaster for another. Also learn how to identify your unique peak engagement windows.
Are you ready to revamp your Instagram strategy using precise timing? Here is the data that will revolutionize how you think about posting schedules.
Why the Best Time to Post on Instagram Matters
Posting times are a key factor of growth for brands on Instagram. Many studies have shown that posts shared during the peak engagement hours as per the Instagram insights have received 20 to 30% increase in follower and engagement rate.
The post engagement in the first 30 to 60 minutes is very crucial. If your post is not seen or liked by your followers in 60 minutes, you cannot expect it to bring more business. The Instagram algorithm is designed to prioritize the posts that quickly attract attention.
Don’t let your content get buried under fresh posts before your follower’s notice. Ride the wave of real-time activity, and boost your chances of landing on
- Home feeds – the competition is high in this section.
- Explore Page – New audience will discover your posts in this section.
- Suggested Posts – A section where Instagram recommends posts with similar content to users who are interested in your niche.
Here is a simple table highlighting the importance of posting at
the Wrong Time vs. Right Time Posting on Instagram
| Factor | Posting at the Wrong Time | Posting at the Right Time |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | Your post gets buried by new content before your audience logs in. | Your post is fresh in the feed when users open Instagram. |
| Engagement | Fewer likes, shares, and comments. | 20–30% higher engagement in the first 45 minutes. |
| Algorithm Boost | Instagram detects low early activity, so reach stalls. | Strong early activity; the algorithm pushes it further. |
| Discoverability | Stuck at the same numbers. | Higher chance to hit Suggested Posts and Explore. |
| Business Impact | Sales and sign-ups are very few or none. | More conversions and measurable ROI. |
How to Find the Best Time to Post on Instagram for Your Business?
Finding the best time to post on Instagram will significantly impact your brand’s engagement rates, follower growth, and overall brand visibility. Here’s a step-by step guide to discover the best times to post on social media for your business.
1.Understand your Audience
The secret to best posting times on Instagram starts with understanding your audience. A clear understanding of your audience’s demographics and their online activity patterns pinpoints the right Instagram posting schedule.
Here is an example of audience demographics breakdown
| Demographic Factor | Example Data | Why it matters for posting times |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 18–24 (40%), 25–34 (35%), 35–44 (15%), 45+ (10%) | Younger users and 45+ are often active late at night. Professionals check Instagram at lunch, in the evening, and during leisure time. |
| Gender | Female 60%, Male 40% | Gender affects behavior. Fashion, beauty, and lifestyle skew female; tech or sports can skew male, especially late nights and weekends. Use these patterns to time posts and convert casual scrollers into loyal followers. |
| Region/Location | USA (40%), UK (25%), India (15%), other countries (10%) | Match posting times to local peak hours in your top regions. |
| Device Use | Mobile (90%), Desktop (10%) | Mobile-heavy audiences engage during commutes, lunch breaks, and evenings. |
2025 Instagram reports have mentioned that 67% of its users are aged between 18 and 34. The peak mobile usage occurs usually between 7 AM to 9 AM (local time) and 7PM – 10 PM (local time). Late evening users are mostly Gen Z. Millennials prefer checking their social media platforms during lunch breaks and evenings. Brands can plan to post their ads just one hour before these peak hours to grab the attention of half of the world’s population.
Here is a simple flow chart on how to understand your audience
Step 1: Use Instagram Insights (Your Free Built-In Tool)
Instagram business and creator accounts have access to Instagram Insights. Start understanding your audience from this point.
How to Access Instagram Insights?
- Open your Instagram App
- Go to your profile.
- You will see a hamburger menu button at the top right.
- Tap the button, and you are presented with a number of options.
- Select Insights and under that section choose the audience.
- Scroll down to “Most Active Times”.
You can now see the graphs showing when your followers are most active. The data is presented in days and hours.
Analyze this data every week and try to spot the pattern.
Step 2: Analyze Audience Demographics to Decide Posting Hours
Know who your audience are, where they live and identify the best posting time for your niche.
The key factors of Audience Demographics are
- Age Group: Classify your audience based on age. Younger audiences are usually active in the late evening and mostly after 20: 00 hours. Working professionals do access Instagram during lunch breaks and evening time mostly around 12.00 hours to 14.00 hours local time.
- Regions and Time zones: If you have an audience in two different time zones, schedule two different posts for different regions.
- Lifestyle Habits: If you have a better portion of fitness audiences, try to engage them in the early mornings. Foodies will scroll around dinner time and parents often check their Instagram stories after kids’ bedtime.
Inside the insights section, select Audience and check their top locations. Note the top three countries or cities with maximum audience and consider their time zones while posting.
Step 3: Track Post Engagement Over 30 Days
Avoid guesswork and run a 30-day posting experiment for real data analysis.
How to track Post Engagement of a post?
- Create a simple tracking sheet in either excel or google sheets.
- Post at different times for a minimum of four weeks.
- At the end of last week, compare and contrast the time slots to identify the highest engagement rate.
- Forget likes. Saves, shares, and comments are the strongest indicators of meaningful engagement.
Step 4: Use tools to Automate and Analyze
While Instagram insights are great for analysis, using third party tools like indzu makes it easier to track, test and optimize the engagement.
If you are managing multiple brands, ZU AI will save hours of manual tracking for you.
Step 5: Create your Own Posting Time Experiment
With the Instagram insights and demographics details and tracking data, finalizing the best time to post on Instagram is easy.
Once you have finalized your posting framework, pick two or three high-performing time slots from the data and schedule posts consistently.
Measure the engagement lift and compare it with the base line. Once the engagement increases by 10 to 20 percentage, you can be sure of your strategy
Once you have the winning formula, repeat this experiment every quarter. Your audience behavior may shift with trends, seasons and holidays.
If you are not sure of where to start, use universal best times to post on Instagram.
Universal Best Time to Post on Instagram: A Guide for Optimal Engagement
Instagram algorithms favor content that is liked by users within one hour of post release. If your post fails to reach your audience, then you are not showing up in the explore page or feed page. Knowing when your audience are most active is important to grow on Instagram.
Universal Best Time to Post on Instagram
Reels, stories and Image posts perform well at different time slors. The best time to post an Image is not the same as that of a reel or a story. Here is a quick breakdown:
The image highlights the best times to post an image, reels or stories for users who are looking for more engagement and reach. If you are planning to add a photo to your latest campaign, try to look for evening hours. Reels perform best in the morning as most users just scroll through the platform for some inspiration. Stories on the other hand, grab more attention late in the morning. Share updates as stories in this hour for maximum engagement.
Best Days and Best Time to post on Instagram
| Content Type | Best Time to Post | Best Days to Post |
|---|---|---|
| Image Post | 8 PM | Sunday, Wednesday, Friday |
| Reel | 9 AM | Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday |
| Story | 11 AM | Monday, Thursday |
Are you looking for further clarification on the best days to post? Well, here is another interesting statistics that determines the best time and best days to post on Instagram.
Best Time to Post on Instagram on a Monday
The best time to post on Instagram on Monday is practically the morning time, between 9 am and 12 PM, when people look for motivation.
Best Time to post on Instagram on Tuesday
Early morning posts perform well on Tuesdays. 8 AM – 10 AM is considered as the best time to post on a Tuesday.
Best Time to Post on Instagram on Wednesday
Want to grab more followers on Instagram? Try this mid-week session between 11 AM to 1 PM. Midweek lunch times are prime time for maximizing your brand engagement.
Best Time to Post on Instagram on Thursday
Thursday post works best if your users are able to grab your content in their lunch time. Try posting between 12 PM to 2 PM.
Best Time to Post on Instagram on a Friday
The best time to post on Instagram on Friday is between 1 PM to 3 PM.
Best Time to Post on Instagram on a Saturday
Morning activity increases on Saturday ass users unwind and browse during the leisure time. The best time to post on Instagram on Saturday is between 10 AM to 12 PM.
Best Time to Post on Instagram on a Sunday
9 AM to 11 AM is the best time to post on Instagram on a Sunday. People prefer a relaxed morning routine. This drives engagement before the day kicks up.
Best Time to Post on Instagram by Industry
Best time to post on Instagram for HVAC services
If you run an HVAC service business, Instagram can help you reach more homeowners. The best time to post for HVAC services is when homeowners are most likely to scroll on their phones.
Try to post between 9 AM – 11 AM on weekdays, when most people look for updates before work. Similarly, 7 PM to 9 PM in the evenings also works well for HVAC businesses, when most people are back home.
Instead of weekend posts, try to post on mid-week days like Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Posting at these times gives your business a better chance to get noticed and gain new customers.
Best time to post on Instagram for SPA
Spas need visually appealing content that promotes relaxation and self-care. The best posting times on Instagram for spas are between 10 AM – 12 PM on weekdays, when people plan for their wellness. Fridays between 2 PM – 5 PM are considered the best time to post on Instagram as most people will look for a weekend pampering. Strong days for spas are Wednesdays and Fridays.
Best Time to Post on Instagram for Salons
Salons do great on Instagram because people love hair and beauty posts. The best times to share are 12 PM – 2 PM during lunch breaks and 5 PM – 7 PM in the evenings. Many check Instagram for style ideas before heading out. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays are the best days since people plan makeovers before the weekend. Posting then helps bring in more bookings.
Best Time to Post on Instagram for Chiropractors
Chiropractors can connect with patients by posting when people think about health. The best times are 7 AM – 9 AM on weekdays, when people wake up with back or neck pain, and 6 PM – 8 PM, after a long day of work. Mondays and Wednesdays are especially strong, as many start the week looking for wellness tips. Posting then makes it easier for patients to notice your clinic.
Best Time to Post on Instagram for Pet Care Services
Pet care businesses shine on Instagram because people love pet photos. The best posting times are 9 AM – 11 AM when pet owners scroll in the morning, and 7 PM – 9 PM after dinner, when families are relaxing with pets. Weekends, especially Saturdays, get lots of engagement because people share fun pet moments. Posting then helps your pet care business reach more happy pet parents.
Best Time to Post on Instagram for Fitness Trainers
Fitness trainers can inspire people with workout tips and transformations. The best posting times are 6 AM – 8 AM, when people check their phones before morning workouts, and 5 PM – 7 PM, right after office hours. Mondays and Wednesdays work best since many start new routines early in the week. Posting then helps you motivate clients when they’re most focused on health.
Best Time to Post on Instagram for Real Estate Agents
Real estate agents can show homes and property tips when people have time to browse. The best posting times are 9 AM – 11 AM during mid-morning breaks, and 6 PM – 8 PM in the evening, when families plan for the future. Thursdays and Sundays bring the best results because people are thinking about weekend house-hunting. Posting at these times helps boost your property views and inquiries.
Best Time to Post on Instagram for Restaurants
Restaurants shine on Instagram with delicious food posts. The best posting times are 11 AM – 1 PM before lunch and 7 PM – 9 PM before dinner, when people are hungry and looking for food options. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are the strongest days, as many plan outings and orders on weekends. Posting then can attract more customers to dine in or order online.
Best Time to Post on Instagram for Fashion Brands
Fashion brands do well on Instagram because people love shopping inspiration. The best posting times are 12 PM – 2 PM during lunch and 7 PM – 9 PM in the evening, when users relax and scroll. Fridays and Saturdays are the most engaging, as shoppers prepare for weekend outings. Posting then helps your fashion brand drive more sales and build style buzz.
Best Time to Post on Instagram for Travel Agencies
Travel agencies can excite audiences by sharing trips and destinations. The best times to post are 8 AM – 10 AM, when people start planning their day, and 6 PM – 8 PM, when they dream about vacations. Fridays and Sundays are top days, as many plan holidays at the end or start of the week. Posting then helps spark travel bookings and inquiries.
Best Time to Post on Instagram for Photographers
Photographers catch the eye with their stunning pictures. The most effective times to post are between 9 am and 11 am and between 7 pm between 9 and 9 PM where people are looking for ideas. Sundays and Wednesdays have the highest engagement as midweek provides the opportunity to relax and weekends are a time to relax. Sharing photos also can help photographers gain more shares, likes and even potential clients.
Best Time to Post on Instagram for Tech Startups
Tech startups must show off their innovations and new updates. The most effective times to publish are between 8 AM and 10 AM to get people engaged in the morning and 6 PM to 8 PM when professionals unwind after working. Tuesdays and Thursdays are the most popular days to post since users are most active during the middle of the week. The posting times at these times help startups to gain greater visibility from partners, investors and even early customers.
Best Time to Post on Instagram for Event Planners
Event planners are best off posting between 11 AM – 1 pm and 7 PM – 9 pm, when people are looking for an idea. The weekend and Friday are prime time for planning celebrations and parties on the weekend. The posting of these times helps organizers promote previous events, draw potential customers, and stay in the know about current celebrations.
Best Time to Post on Instagram for Coaches & Consultants
Consultants and coaches are able to post their posts from 8 am – 10 am and 5 PM to 7 PM. Professionals go on Instagram prior to or after their work. Wednesdays and Mondays are a good days for users, who need motivation to get started and middle during the work week. Posting can help consultants provide insights, engage clients and establish confidence.
Best Time to Post on Instagram for Travel Bloggers
Bloggers who write about travel shine by they publish between 10 am and 12 midnight and 6 pm between 6 and 8 pm, times where people think about travel. Saturdays, Fridays and Sundays can be most ideal days for travelers to make plans for weekend getaways or come up with travel suggestions for the coming week. In turn, posting helps bloggers to inspire their readers, increase followers, and get connected with travel brands.
Best Time to Post on Instagram for Tutors & Educators
The best way to connect with educators and tutors is when they post at 3 pm – 5 pm and 7 PM to 9 PM, following school hours. Wednesdays and Tuesdays can be the most popular days because parents and students are engaged during the week. The posting helps teachers provide tips, draw students, and showcase their knowledge.
Best Time to Post on Instagram for Bloggers & Writers
Bloggers and writers are noticed when they write 9 AM to 11 am and from 6 pm to 8 PM, the prime reading and relaxation hours. The Wednesday and Sunday hours are ideal since people look for new ideas throughout the week, and also enjoy blogs during weekends. The posting process allows writers to share their stories build followers, increase their following, and get brands involved in collaborations.
Best Time to Post on Instagram for Home Decor Stores
The stores selling home decor should be open between 10 AM and 12 pm and 7 PM until 9 PM, during which shoppers are looking for design inspiration. Saturdays and Sundays are the best days to post since people are free time to contemplate designing their homes. Sharing chic, elegant interiors during these hours attracts customers, improves savings and increases sales.
Best Time to Post on Instagram for Jewelry Shops
Jewelry stores shine with their postings between 11 AM and 1 PM, and 6 PM and 8 PM. Friday and Saturday are the most popular days to planning parties, gifts or weddings. Posting sparkling jewelry photos during these times can help shops get noticed, boost the number of customers and enhance the buying window on these special occasions.
Best Time to Post on Instagram for Digital Marketers
Digital marketers get the best reach when they post at 8 AM to 10 AM and 6 PM to 9 PM. Thursdays and Tuesdays are the best days for businesses to organize and plan their marketing for mid-week. The posting of case studies and tips at these times displays competence, establishes credibility, and draws clients.
Best Time to Post on Instagram for Artists & Illustrators
Illustrators and artists make an impression by posting their work at the 9 AM to 11 AM window, and the 7 PM to 9 PM window, respectively. Saturdays and Sundays are the most fruitful days for artists as people appreciate artwork during their leisure time. The posting of art helps artists show off their creative talent, engage with their customers, and also attract clients or orders.
Best Time to Post on Instagram for Online Clothing Stores
Online clothing stores should be online between 11 AM to 1 PM and 7 PM to 9 PM, which is when shoppers love to browse and shop. Fridays and Sundays are the optimal days to drag more engagement through posts, as most people get ready for the weekend getaways or the upcoming week. In addition, posting new products and outfit suggestions during these hours boosts the number of likes, saves, and sales.
Best Time to Post on Instagram for Pet Stores
Pet stores stand out by displaying between 10 AM and 12 PM and 6 PM to 8 PM. Weekends are among the best days to attract more sales through Instagram, as people spend more time with their pets. Adorable pet pictures and caring tips shared at these times will bring happiness, increase shares, and draw in loyal customers.
| Business Type | Best Days to Post | Best Times to Post (EST) |
|---|---|---|
| HVAC | Tue–Thu | 9 AM – 11 AM, 7 PM – 9 PM |
| Spa & Wellness | Mon–Fri | 12 PM – 2 PM, 6 PM – 8 PM |
| Salon | Wed–Sat | 10 AM – 1 PM, 5 PM – 7 PM |
| Chiropractor | Mon, Wed, Fri | 8 AM – 10 AM, 6 PM – 8 PM |
| Pet Care | Tue–Sat | 11 AM – 1 PM, 7 PM – 9 PM |
| Real Estate | Tue–Thu | 9 AM – 12 PM, 5 PM – 7 PM |
| Restaurants | Thu–Sun | 11 AM – 2 PM, 6 PM – 9 PM |
| Gyms & Fitness Centers | Mon–Sat | 6 AM – 9 AM, 5 PM – 8 PM |
| Cafés & Bakeries | Mon–Fri | 7 AM – 9 AM, 1 PM – 3 PM |
| Photography Studios | Wed–Sat | 10 AM – 12 PM, 6 PM – 8 PM |
| E-commerce Stores | Mon–Fri | 12 PM – 3 PM, 7 PM – 9 PM |
| Dental Clinics | Tue–Thu | 8 AM – 10 AM, 6 PM – 8 PM |
| Event Planners | Wed–Fri | 12 PM – 2 PM, 6 PM – 9 PM |
| Tutoring Services | Mon–Thu | 3 PM – 5 PM, 7 PM – 9 PM |
| Cleaning Services | Tue–Fri | 9 AM – 11 AM, 5 PM – 7 PM |
| Boutiques | Wed–Sat | 11 AM – 2 PM, 6 PM – 8 PM |
| Florists | Thu–Sat | 9 AM – 11 AM, 5 PM – 7 PM |
| Auto Repair Shops | Mon–Fri | 8 AM – 10 AM, 6 PM – 8 PM |
| Law Firms | Tue–Thu | 9 AM – 11 AM, 5 PM – 7 PM |
| Daycare Centers | Mon–Fri | 7 AM – 9 AM, 3 PM – 6 PM |
Instagram Posting Calendar for Small Businesses in USA
Being very active on Instagram and posting regularly at the right time has led to 35% more sales for small businesses in the USA. US people are more active on Instagram in the late morning, and the time slot falls between 9 AM to 12 PM. Similarly evening 6 PM to 9 PM receives more engagement for small business posts as most people take short breaks during this period. Here is a list of best times to post on Instagram for small businesses. We have also shared the best format that never fails to impress the audience on a particular day.
| Day | Primary Slot | Secondary Slot | Best Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 11:30 AM | 1:00 PM | Carousel / Educational Post |
| Tuesday | 10:30 AM | 1:30 PM | Carousel / Reels (How-to / Tips) |
| Wednesday | 11:00 AM | 6:00 PM | Carousel (midday) / Reels (evening) |
| Thursday | 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM | Static Image / Promo Offers |
| Friday | 3:00 PM (Peak) | 4:30 PM | Reels / Fun, Light Content |
| Saturday | 11:00 AM | 1:00 PM | Reels (Behind-the-scenes, Lifestyle) |
| Sunday | 1:00 PM | 3:00 PM | Reels (Engagement-focused: polls, Q&A) |
Best Time to Post on Instagram across Seven Continents
Instagram has a massive and diverse user base spread across six time zones. Among them North American continent presents a significant timing challenge. Instagram has the highest number of users in the Eastern ( EST ) and Pacific (PST) time zones.
Best Time to Post on Instagram in North America
Best Time to Post on Instagram in the United States
| When to Post in a Week | Best Time |
|---|---|
| Monday – Friday | 9 AM – 1 PM |
The US audience are present across multiple time zones, with the Eastern and Pacific zones being the most active. If you are targeting users from both coasts, try late morning posts between 9 AM to 1 PM. Weekend post around 11 AM EST are found to get high engagement rate.
Best Time to Post on Instagram in Canada
| When to Post in a Week | Best Time |
|---|---|
| Monday – Friday | 8–10 AM and 12–2 PM (EST) |
Canada’s Instagram activity mirrors the US. Their peak engagement times are during the morning commute ( 8 – 10 AM ) and lunch breaks ( 12 – 2 PM ). Engagement rate remains the same across the weekdays. Weekends tend to have lower activity.
Best Time to Post on Instagram in Mexico
| When to Post in a Week | Best Time |
|---|---|
| Tuesday – Thursday | 10 AM – 12 PM and 6–8 PM |
Mexican audiences display strong engagement, particularly in the workweek. Morning posts do exceptionally well because people are checking social media while sipping their coffee in the morning. Evening engagement is more intense than North American averages, reflecting social and cultural habits.
Best Time to Post on Instagram in Europe
Best Time to Post on Instagram in the United Kingdom
| When to Post in a Week | Best Time |
|---|---|
| Tuesday – Thursday | 8–10 AM and 7–9 PM (GMT) |
British users have an impressive morning commitment while they commute to their offices and also later in the evening during the commute times, and also later in the evening, after working hours. The 8–10 AM timeframe is a good one to capture commuters from buses and trains, and evening posts are aligned with post-dinner leisure time.
Posting on weekends shows less engagement as British users prefer to be offline in their spare time.
Best Time to Post on Instagram in Germany
| When to Post in a Week | Best Time |
|---|---|
| Tuesday – Thursday | 9–11 AM and 6–8 PM (CET) |
German audience members exhibit extremely disciplined social media habits, which are a reflection of their work-life cultural norms. The morning hours are just a bit longer than in similar European countries, while activities in the evening end earlier. Their screen time is a reflection of their disciplined daily routines.
The content that is focused on business does particularly well during the morning hours, while entertainment and lifestyle content is a hit during the evening hours.
Best Time to Post on Instagram in France
| When to Post in a Week | Best Time |
|---|---|
| Tuesday – Friday | 12–2 PM and 6–9 PM (CET) |
French users exhibit strong participation during lunch, which reflects the significance of the lunch break. The lunch time (12–2 PM) is often more effective than the morning time for posting. The evening hours are longer than those in neighbouring countries, thereby aligning with French dining habits and social norms.
Best Time to Post on Instagram in Spain
| When to Post in a Week | Best Time |
|---|---|
| Monday – Thursday | 2–4 PM and 8–10 PM (CET) |
Spanish time of postings reflects local eating and siesta customs. Afternoon activity is more intense (2–4 PM) as users return after lunch break. Afternoon activity is considerably late (8–10 PM) and is in line with Spanish dinner and nightlife trends.
Best Times to Post on Instagram in Italy
| When to Post in a Week | Best Time |
|---|---|
| Tuesday – Friday | 1–3 PM and 7–9 PM (CET) |
The Italian audience shows impressive late afternoon and early evening engagements. The period between 1–3 PM is a good one to capture the social media activity after lunch, and evening updates coincide with aperitivo culture as well as the socializing before dinner.
The northern and southern regions of Italy could have slight differences. Northern regions generally follow more typical European operating hours.
Best Time to Post on Instagram in Asia
Best Time to Post on Instagram in Japan
| When to Post in a Week | Best Time |
|---|---|
| Monday – Wednesday | 7–9 AM and 7–10 PM (JST) |
Japanese users adhere to strict social media habits that are in line with commute and post-work time. Engagement is highest in the mornings when commuters are on the train to work, and the evening activities reflect post-work relaxation time.
The amount of time spent on weekends is reduced significantly. Japanese culture stresses face-to-face interactions with family and friends in leisure time.
Best Time to Post on Instagram in South Korea
| When to Post in a Week | Best Time |
|---|---|
| Tuesday – Thursday | 8–10 AM and 6–9 PM (KST) |
The Korean audience displays strong morning and evening patterns of engagement. Morning time is a prime time for commuters and early workers, and evening posts are akin to social media use after work.
Korean users are very active during the week, but they show lower engagement during weekends, and are more likely to engage in offline social interactions.
Best Times to Post on Instagram in China
| When to Post in a Week | Best Time |
|---|---|
| Tuesday – Friday | 10 AM – 12 PM and 7 – 9 PM (CST) |
Chinese users have distinct patterns that are influenced in part by the culture of work and meal timings. Share posts in the morning (10 AM to 12 PM) and in the evening during dinner time ( 7 – 9 PM ). Evening engagement peaks during dinner and post-work hours.
There are regional variations across China’s different timing zones. For instance, the eastern cities have an early peak time.
Best Times to Post on Instagram in India
| When to Post in a Week | Best Time |
|---|---|
| Monday – Friday | 9–11 AM and 6–8 PM (IST) |
Indian viewers show steady engagement throughout the week with a strong morning and evening window. Morning posts attract people on their commutes as well as browsing before work, while evening activities are in line with the post-work leisure.
Religious and cultural celebrations significantly influence the schedule of posting, and engagement patterns shift during major celebrations.
Best Times to Post on Instagram in Indonesia
| When to Post in a Week | Best Time |
|---|---|
| Tuesday – Thursday | 11 AM – 1 PM and 7 – 9 PM |
Indonesian users have an impressive midday and evening engagement. Posts from lunchtime capture students and office workers, while evening activities are based on post-work leisure.
Ramadan and other holy days cause significant shifts in the best times to post.
Best Times to Post on Instagram in Australia and Oceania
Best Times to Post on Instagram in Australia
| When to Post in a Week | Best Time |
|---|---|
| Tuesday – Thursday | 9–11 AM and 6–8 PM (AEST) |
Australian users are influenced by patterns similar to those of other developed countries, but with distinctive regional differences. Morning posts capture commuters as well as office workers. In the evening, posts are a reflection of after-work and evening browsing.
The wide range of time zone variations across Australia needs careful consideration when it comes to national brands that target cities across the country.
Best Time to Post on Instagram in New Zealand
| When to Post in a Week | Best Time |
|---|---|
| Monday – Wednesday | 8–10 AM and 7–9 PM (NZST) |
New Zealand audiences show consistent participation during the week, with slight variances between Australian patterns. Morning posts are particularly popular in the commute and during early work hours, whereas evening activity increases during meal and relaxation time.
Best Times to Post on Instagram in Africa
Best Times to post on Instagram in South Africa
| When to Post in a Week | Best Time |
|---|---|
| Tuesday – Thursday | 8–10 AM and 6–8 PM (SAST) |
South African users demonstrate a strong morning and evening engagement window. Morning posts attract commuters as well as early working people, while evening activity is a reflection of social media use after work.
Connectivity and data costs affect the frequency of posting. Users often batch their social media activities when Wi-Fi is available.
Best Times to post on Instagram in Nigeria
| When to Post in a Week | Best Time |
|---|---|
| Monday – Friday | 10 AM – 12 PM and 7–9 PM (WAT) |
Nigerian viewers show steady engagement throughout the week, with high levels of engagement in the morning and evening hours. Posts that are posted late in the morning attract students and office workers, and evening postings are in line with leisure browsing.
Best Time to Post on Instagram in Egypt
| When to Post in a Week | Best Time |
|---|---|
| Tuesday – Thursday | 11 AM – 1 PM and 7 – 10 PM (EET) |
Egyptian users adhere to Middle Eastern patterns with strong afternoon and evening engagement. The lunchtime posting is a success, as is evening activity, which is further than European norms.
Religious holidays have a significant impact on the best times to post during the entire year.
Best Time to Post on Instagram in South America
Best Time to Post on Instagram in Brazil
| When to Post in a Week | Best Time |
|---|---|
| Tuesday – Friday | 11 AM – 2 PM and 6 – 9 PM (BRT) |
Brazilian users have extended lunchtime engagement as well as evening activities. The midday time frame captures lunch break and leisure time. In the evening, posts are synchronised with the evening meal and social times.
Cultural festivals and Carnival season trigger significant shifts in patterns of engagement.
Best Time to Post on Instagram in Argentina
| When to Post in a Week | Best Time |
|---|---|
| Monday – Thursday | 12–3 PM and 8–10 PM |
Argentine audiences show the strength of their afternoon and late-night engagement on Instagram. The extended lunch breaks offer more opportunities to engage in midday activities, whereas the evening activities reflect the social and dining habits of the culture.
Best Time to Post on Instagram in Colombia
| When to Post in a Week | Best time |
| Tuesday – Friday | 11 AM – 1 PM and 7 – 9 PM |
Colombian users follow the Latin American patterns with strong late-day and evening hours. The morning coffee culture provides the opportunity for early engagement on the social media platform, whereas late-night posts provide leisure time browsing on Instagram.
Best Time to Post on Instagram by Country Type
Here are the top 30 countries that has high Instagram user volume and the best time to post on Instagram
| Country | Best Time to Post Image on Instagram | Best Time to Post Reel on Instagram | Best Time to Post Story on Instagram |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 11 AM | 7 PM (evening) | 11 AM – 12 PM (midday break) |
| Canada | 12 PM | 7 PM (evening) | 12 PM – 1 PM (lunch) |
| Mexico | 6 PM | 2 PM | 1 PM (midday) |
| Brazil | 6 PM | 12 PM (lunch hour) | 1 PM (midday) |
| Argentina | 8 PM | 1 PM (lunch hour) | 1 PM – 2 PM (siesta time) |
| Colombia | 6 PM | 12 PM (lunch hour) | 1 PM (midday) |
| Chile | 9 PM | 1 PM (lunch hour) | 1 PM – 2 PM (lunch break) |
| India | 6 PM | 1 PM (lunch hour) | 12 PM – 1 PM (midday) |
| Pakistan | 8 PM | 1 PM (lunch hour) | 1 PM – 2 PM (midday) |
| Kazakhstan | 8 PM | 12 PM (lunch hour) | 1 PM (midday) |
| Indonesia | 6 PM | 12 PM (lunch hour) | 12 PM – 1 PM (lunch break) |
| Malaysia | 9 PM | 12 PM (lunch hour) | 1 PM – 2 PM (midday) |
| Philippines | 6 PM | 12 PM (lunch hour) | 12 PM – 1 PM (midday) |
| Thailand | 7 PM | 12 PM (lunch hour) | 1 PM (midday) |
| South Korea | 9 PM | 12 PM (lunch hour) | 1 PM – 2 PM (after-lunch peak) |
| Turkey | 8 PM | 12 PM (lunch hour) | 1 PM (midday) |
| Egypt | 7 PM | 12 PM (lunch hour) | 1 PM (midday) |
| Saudi Arabia | 6 PM | 1 PM (lunch hour) | 2 PM – 3 PM (post-lunch downtime) |
| Iraq | 9 PM | 1 PM (lunch hour) | 1 PM – 2 PM (lunch break) |
| Nigeria | 9 AM | 7 PM (evening) | 12 PM – 1 PM (midday) |
| Japan | 8 PM | 12 PM (lunch hour) | 12 PM – 1 PM (midday) |
| Morocco | 8 PM | 12 PM (lunch hour) | 1 PM – 2 PM (post-lunch) |
| Ukraine | 8 PM | 1 PM (lunch hour) | 12 PM – 1 PM (midday) |
| United Kingdom | 6 PM | 12 PM (lunch hour) | 1 PM (midday) |
| Germany | 6 PM | 12 PM (lunch hour) | 1 PM (midday) |
| Poland | 8 PM | 12 PM (lunch hour) | 1 PM – 2 PM (post-lunch time) |
| Italy | 7 PM | 1 PM (lunch hour) | 1 PM (midday) |
| France | 6 PM | 12 PM (lunch hour) | 1 PM (midday) |
| Spain | 8 PM | 2 PM (lunch hour) | 2 PM – 3 PM (siesta time) |
| Australia | 6 PM | 12 PM (lunch hour) | 1 PM (midday) |
Best Time to Post on Instagram by Day and Country
For Instagram, what works on a Monday morning in the USA may look completely different from a Sunday evening post in Indonesia. Every country has its own rhythm of engaging and scrolling with posts throughout the week.
| Country | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 9–11 AM | 9–11 AM | 11 AM–1 PM | 11 AM–1 PM | 12–2 PM | 10 AM–12 PM | 6–8 PM |
| Canada | 9–11 AM | 9–11 AM | 11 AM–1 PM | 11 AM–1 PM | 12–2 PM | 10 AM–12 PM | 6–8 PM |
| Mexico | 10 AM–12 PM | 10 AM–12 PM | 12–2 PM | 12–2 PM | 1–3 PM | 11 AM–1 PM | 6–8 PM |
| Brazil | 10 AM–12 PM | 10 AM–12 PM | 12–2 PM | 12–2 PM | 1–3 PM | 11 AM–1 PM | 7–9 PM |
| Argentina | 10 AM–12 PM | 10 AM–12 PM | 12–2 PM | 12–2 PM | 1–3 PM | 11 AM–1 PM | 7–9 PM |
| Colombia | 9–11 AM | 9–11 AM | 11 AM–1 PM | 11 AM–1 PM | 12–2 PM | 10 AM–12 PM | 6–8 PM |
| Chile | 10 AM–12 PM | 10 AM–12 PM | 12–2 PM | 12–2 PM | 1–3 PM | 11 AM–1 PM | 7–9 PM |
| India | 8–10 AM | 8–10 AM | 6–8 PM | 6–8 PM | 7–9 PM | 11 AM–1 PM | 7–9 PM |
| Pakistan | 8–10 AM | 8–10 AM | 6–8 PM | 6–8 PM | 7–9 PM | 11 AM–1 PM | 7–9 PM |
| Kazakhstan | 9–11 AM | 9–11 AM | 6–8 PM | 6–8 PM | 7–9 PM | 11 AM–1 PM | 7–9 PM |
| Indonesia | 7–9 AM | 7–9 AM | 6–8 PM | 6–8 PM | 7–9 PM | 11 AM–1 PM | 7–9 PM |
| Malaysia | 8–10 AM | 8–10 AM | 6–8 PM | 6–8 PM | 7–9 PM | 11 AM–1 PM | 7–9 PM |
| Philippines | 8–10 AM | 8–10 AM | 6–8 PM | 6–8 PM | 7–9 PM | 11 AM–1 PM | 7–9 PM |
| Thailand | 8–10 AM | 8–10 AM | 6–8 PM | 6–8 PM | 7–9 PM | 11 AM–1 PM | 7–9 PM |
| South Korea | 7–9 AM | 7–9 AM | 6–8 PM | 6–8 PM | 7–9 PM | 10 AM–12 PM | 7–9 PM |
| Turkey | 9–11 AM | 9–11 AM | 6–8 PM | 6–8 PM | 7–9 PM | 11 AM–1 PM | 7–9 PM |
| Egypt | 9–11 AM | 9–11 AM | 6–8 PM | 6–8 PM | 7–9 PM | 11 AM–1 PM | 7–9 PM |
| Saudi Arabia | 10 AM–12 PM | 10 AM–12 PM | 7–9 PM | 7–9 PM | 8–10 PM | 11 AM–1 PM | 7–9 PM |
| Iraq | 9–11 AM | 9–11 AM | 6–8 PM | 6–8 PM | 7–9 PM | 11 AM–1 PM | 7–9 PM |
| Nigeria | 9–11 AM | 9–11 AM | 12–2 PM | 12–2 PM | 1–3 PM | 11 AM–1 PM | 6–8 PM |
| Japan | 7–9 AM | 7–9 AM | 6–8 PM | 6–8 PM | 7–9 PM | 10 AM–12 PM | 7–9 PM |
| Morocco | 9–11 AM | 9–11 AM | 6–8 PM | 6–8 PM | 7–9 PM | 11 AM–1 PM | 7–9 PM |
| Ukraine | 9–11 AM | 9–11 AM | 6–8 PM | 6–8 PM | 7–9 PM | 11 AM–1 PM | 7–9 PM |
| United Kingdom | 8–10 AM | 8–10 AM | 12–2 PM | 12–2 PM | 1–3 PM | 10 AM–12 PM | 6–8 PM |
| Germany | 8–10 AM | 8–10 AM | 12–2 PM | 12–2 PM | 1–3 PM | 10 AM–12 PM | 6–8 PM |
| Poland | 9–11 AM | 9–11 AM | 12–2 PM | 12–2 PM | 1–3 PM | 10 AM–12 PM | 6–8 PM |
| Italy | 9–11 AM | 9–11 AM | 12–2 PM | 12–2 PM | 1–3 PM | 11 AM–1 PM | 7–9 PM |
| France | 9–11 AM | 9–11 AM | 12–2 PM | 12–2 PM | 1–3 PM | 10 AM–12 PM | 6–8 PM |
| Spain | 9–11 AM | 9–11 AM | 12–2 PM | 12–2 PM | 1–3 PM | 11 AM–1 PM | 7–9 PM |
| Australia | 7–9 AM | 7–9 AM | 12–2 PM | 12–2 PM | 1–3 PM | 10 AM–12 PM | 6–8 PM |
Best Day to Post on Instagram by Country
If you are still not ready to begin your posts on Instagram, here we have another table to help you post on the best day by country.
| Country | Best Day to Post |
|---|---|
| United States | Wednesday |
| Canada | Tuesday |
| Mexico | Thursday |
| Brazil | Wednesday |
| Argentina | Friday |
| Colombia | Wednesday |
| Chile | Thursday |
| India | Tuesday |
| Pakistan | Wednesday |
| Kazakhstan | Thursday |
| Indonesia | Tuesday |
| Malaysia | Wednesday |
| Philippines | Thursday |
| Thailand | Tuesday |
| South Korea | Thursday |
| Turkey | Wednesday |
| Egypt | Tuesday |
| Saudi Arabia | Thursday |
| Iraq | Tuesday |
| Nigeria | Wednesday |
| Japan | Thursday |
| Morocco | Wednesday |
| Ukraine | Thursday |
| United Kingdom | Tuesday |
| Germany | Wednesday |
| Poland | Thursday |
| Italy | Tuesday |
| France | Wednesday |
| Spain | Thursday |
| Australia | Tuesday |
Best time + Best Day to Post on Instagram by Country
Here is another table that shares more details about the best time and best day to post on Instagram by country. You can choose the day and best local time and use an automated social media management tool like ZU AI and schedule your posts. It’s that simple.
| Country | Best Day to Post | Best Time to Post (Local Time) |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Wednesday | 12 PM – 1 PM |
| Canada | Tuesday | 12 PM – 1 PM |
| Mexico | Thursday | 1 PM – 2 PM |
| Brazil | Wednesday | 1 PM – 2 PM |
| Argentina | Friday | 1 PM – 2 PM |
| Colombia | Wednesday | 12 PM – 1 PM |
| Chile | Thursday | 1 PM – 2 PM |
| India | Tuesday | 1 PM – 2 PM |
| Pakistan | Wednesday | 1 PM – 2 PM |
| Kazakhstan | Thursday | 1 PM – 2 PM |
| Indonesia | Tuesday | 12 PM – 1 PM |
| Malaysia | Wednesday | 12 PM – 1 PM |
| Philippines | Thursday | 12 PM – 1 PM |
| Thailand | Tuesday | 12 PM – 1 PM |
| South Korea | Thursday | 12 PM – 1 PM |
| Turkey | Wednesday | 1 PM – 2 PM |
| Egypt | Tuesday | 1 PM – 2 PM |
| Saudi Arabia | Thursday | 1 PM – 2 PM |
| Iraq | Tuesday | 1 PM – 2 PM |
| Nigeria | Wednesday | 12 PM – 1 PM |
| Japan | Thursday | 12 PM – 1 PM |
| Morocco | Wednesday | 1 PM – 2 PM |
| Ukraine | Thursday | 1 PM – 2 PM |
| United Kingdom | Tuesday | 12 PM – 1 PM |
| Germany | Wednesday | 12 PM – 1 PM |
| Poland | Thursday | 12 PM – 1 PM |
| Italy | Tuesday | 12 PM – 1 PM |
| France | Wednesday | 12 PM – 1 PM |
| Spain | Thursday | 12 PM – 1 PM |
| Australia | Tuesday | 12 PM – 1 PM |
Wrapping Up
Know your followers and post consistently. Play around with the posting hours and let the analytics help you identify your real posting time.
