📝 Quick Reference
Key limits: Bio = 150 characters • Caption = 2,200 characters • Username = 30 characters • Hashtags = 30 per post • Comment = 2,200 characters
All Instagram Character Limits
| Feature | Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bio | 150 characters | Including spaces and emojis |
| Username | 30 characters | Letters, numbers, periods, underscores only |
| Name (Display Name) | 64 characters | Can include spaces and special characters |
| Caption | 2,200 characters | Only first ~125 shown before 'more' |
| Comment | 2,200 characters | Same as captions |
| Hashtags per post | 30 hashtags | Recommended: 3-5 relevant ones |
| Mentions per caption | 20 @mentions | Tagging more may be flagged as spam |
| DM message | 1,000 characters | Per individual message |
| Story text | ~250 characters | Depends on font size and placement |
| Reel caption | 2,200 characters | Same as regular posts |
| Alt text | 100 characters | For image descriptions |
Instagram Bio: 150 Characters
Your bio is prime real estate – you have exactly 150 characters to make an impression. Here's how to make them count:
Bio Optimization Tips:
- •Lead with what you do – Your main value proposition first
- •Use line breaks – Press return for visual separation
- •Add a CTA – Tell people what to do (Shop, Subscribe, etc.)
- •Use emojis strategically – They catch attention but count as ~2 characters each
💡 Pro tip: Write your bio in the Notes app first so you can see the character count, then paste it into Instagram.
Instagram Caption: 2,200 Characters
Captions can be up to 2,200 characters, but there's a catch: only the first ~125 characters show in the feed before the "more" button.
Short Captions (<125)
Fully visible in feed. Good for quick posts, humor, and casual content.
Higher engagement rateLong Captions (1,000+)
Great for storytelling, education, and building connection. Requires tap to read.
Deeper engagement⚠️ The First Line Matters Most
Since only ~125 characters show by default, make your first line a hook that compels people to tap "more." Think of it as your headline.
Hashtag Limits: 30 Per Post
You can use up to 30 hashtags per post, but should you?
Hashtag Best Practices (2026):
Instagram's own recommendation for relevant hashtags
Still effective if they're highly relevant to your content
Can look spammy and may trigger spam filters
💡 Quality over quantity – a few highly relevant hashtags outperform many generic ones.
Other Important Limits
Username: 30 Characters
Only letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. No spaces or special characters. Shorter usernames are easier to remember and tag.
DM Messages: 1,000 Characters
Each individual direct message has a 1,000 character limit. For longer messages, you'll need to send multiple.
Instagram Notes: 60 Characters
Notes are intentionally short for quick thoughts. You can include emojis but keep it brief.
Alt Text: 100 Characters
Image descriptions for accessibility. Be concise but descriptive for screen reader users.
Bonus: Action Limits (Not Characters)
Instagram also limits certain actions to prevent spam:
| Action | Limit |
|---|---|
| Follows per hour | ~20-30 (varies) |
| Follows per day | ~150-200 (varies) |
| Likes per hour | ~60 (varies) |
| Comments per hour | ~20-30 (varies) |
| Stories per day | 100 |
⚠️ Exceeding these limits may result in temporary action blocks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Make Every Character Count
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