How long can each video be?
These are the limits from our video guides, checked against each network's own pages on 1 November 2026. Apps that schedule posts work through each network's API, which can allow less than the network's own app.
| Network | In its own app | From a scheduling app |
|---|---|---|
| Instagram Reels | Up to 20 minutes; over 3 minutes, not recommended to new audiences | 3 seconds to 15 minutes |
| TikTok | Record up to 10 minutes, upload up to 60 | Up to 10 minutes, as far as your account allows: 3, 5 or 10 |
| YouTube Shorts | Up to 3 minutes, square or vertical | Up to 3 minutes |
| Facebook Reels | Any length | 3 to 90 seconds |
How many words fit in a video?
At 150 words a minute, which Baruch College's Tools for Clear Speech gives as the average English speaker's pace:
- 15 seconds: about 37 words
- 30 seconds: about 75 words
- 1 minute: about 150 words
- 90 seconds: about 225 words
- 3 minutes: about 450 words
Find your own pace
- Read your script aloud for one minute with a timer running, and count the words you got through. That's your pace.
- Or read the whole script aloud, then move the slider until the timer shows the time you took.
- Leave a few seconds under a limit for pauses and the moments without speech.
- In Unisenda, you schedule the finished video to Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Facebook in one go, with a caption for each.
Planning text on screen as well? The safe zone checker shows where buttons and captions may cover it.
Questions people ask
How many words is a 60-second video?
About 150 words, at 150 words a minute, an average English speaker's pace. Set your own pace in the timer to see your number.
How long is a 3-minute script?
About 450 words at 150 words a minute. Three minutes is the longest a YouTube Short can be, and the longest Reel Instagram recommends to new audiences.
What reading pace should I use?
Start at about 150 words a minute, an average English speaker's pace according to Baruch College's Tools for Clear Speech. Then time yourself and move the slider: everyone speaks at their own speed.
Are notes like [B-roll] counted?
No. Anything in square brackets is left out, so you can keep shot notes in your script.
Is my script saved or sent anywhere?
No. The timer runs in your browser. Your script isn't sent to Unisenda, and nothing is kept once you close the page.
Sources
Checked on 1 November 2026. Networks change their limits, so check the source before you rely on a number.
- Baruch College, CUNY: Tools for Clear Speech, Speaking rate
- Instagram Help Center: Record a reel on Instagram
- Meta for Developers: IG User Media (Instagram API reference)
- TikTok Help Center: Camera tools
- TikTok for Developers: Media Transfer Guide
- TikTok for Developers: Query Creator Info
- YouTube Help: Upload YouTube Shorts
- YouTube Help: Understand three-minute YouTube Shorts
- Meta Business Help Center: About Facebook Reels
- Meta for Developers: Reels Publishing API
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