Best Time to Post on TikTok, Instagram & YouTube in 2025
Posting at the right time can 3x your engagement. Posting at the wrong time means your content dies in the algorithm.
This guide reveals the best times to post on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube in 2025, backed by data from millions of posts.
Quick Answer
Best times for most creators:
- TikTok: 7-9 PM weekdays
- Instagram Reels: 11 AM - 1 PM and 7-9 PM
- YouTube Shorts: 2-4 PM and 8-10 PM
But keep reading - your specific audience might be different.
Why Posting Time Matters
The Algorithm Reward
All platforms test your content with a small audience first. If that initial group engages, your content gets shown to more people.
Post when your audience is online = Better initial engagement = Algorithm boost = Viral potential
The 1-Hour Window
The first hour after posting is critical:
- TikTok: First hour determines if you go viral
- Instagram: First 60 minutes impact Explore page chances
- YouTube Shorts: First 2 hours trigger recommendation engine
Post when nobody's online = Poor first hour = Algorithm buries your content
Best Times for TikTok (2025 Data)
Overall Best Times:
Weekdays:
- 7:00 - 9:00 PM (peak engagement)
- 12:00 - 1:00 PM (lunch break)
- 7:00 - 8:00 AM (morning commute)
Weekends:
- 9:00 - 11:00 AM (lazy morning scroll)
- 7:00 - 10:00 PM (evening entertainment)
Worst Times:
- 2:00 - 4:00 AM (people are asleep)
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM weekdays (work/school)
By Content Type:
Comedy/Entertainment:
- Post at 7-9 PM (people want to laugh after work)
Educational/Tutorials:
- Post at 12-1 PM (people learning during lunch)
- Post at 6-7 PM (people learning after work)
Fitness Content:
- Post at 6-7 AM (morning motivation)
- Post at 5-6 PM (pre-workout hype)
TikTok Pro Tip:
Test posting at the same time for 7 days. Track average views. Then test a different time for 7 days. Compare results.
Best Times for Instagram Reels (2025 Data)
Overall Best Times:
Weekdays:
- 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM (lunch scroll)
- 7:00 - 9:00 PM (evening entertainment)
- 6:00 - 8:00 AM (morning routine)
Weekends:
- 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (weekend morning)
- 7:00 - 10:00 PM (evening)
Worst Times:
- 1:00 - 4:00 AM (people sleeping)
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM weekdays (busy morning)
By Content Type:
Fashion/Beauty:
- Post at 11 AM - 1 PM (planning shopping)
- Post at 7-9 PM (evening inspiration)
Food Content:
- Post at 11 AM - 1 PM (lunchtime cravings)
- Post at 5-7 PM (dinner planning)
Travel Content:
- Post at 8-10 PM (dreaming about travel before bed)
- Post on Sundays (weekend wanderlust)
Instagram Reels Pro Tip:
Instagram's algorithm LOVES consistency. Post at the same time every day for 30 days and watch your reach grow.
Best Times for YouTube Shorts (2025 Data)
Overall Best Times:
Weekdays:
- 2:00 - 4:00 PM (afternoon break)
- 8:00 - 10:00 PM (evening viewing)
- 12:00 - 2:00 PM (lunch break)
Weekends:
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (late morning)
- 8:00 - 10:00 PM (prime time)
Worst Times:
- 2:00 - 6:00 AM (sleeping)
- Early weekday mornings (people at work/school)
By Content Type:
Gaming Shorts:
- Post at 6-10 PM (gamers online after work/school)
How-To/Educational:
- Post at 2-4 PM (people solving problems)
- Post at 8-10 PM (learning before bed)
Music/Entertainment:
- Post at 7-9 PM (prime entertainment time)
YouTube Shorts Pro Tip:
Unlike TikTok and IG, YouTube Shorts can go viral weeks or months after posting. Posting time matters less, but consistency matters more.
Your Specific Audience Might Be Different
The times above are averages. Your audience might be different:
Check Your Analytics:
TikTok:
- Open TikTok Pro Account
- Analytics → Followers → Follower Activity
- See when YOUR followers are online
Instagram:
- Open Creator Account
- Insights → Total Followers → See All
- Scroll to "Most Active Times"
YouTube:
- Open YouTube Studio
- Analytics → Audience
- Check "When your viewers are on YouTube"
Use this data to beat the generic advice above.
Time Zone Considerations
If Your Audience is Local:
Post based on their time zone. Simple.
If Your Audience is Global:
- TikTok: Post at 7-9 PM EST (covers US + some EU)
- Instagram: Post at 12 PM EST (catches US + EU)
- YouTube: Post at 2 PM EST (global audience most active)
If Your Audience is Multi-Zone:
Post twice per day:
- Once for US audience (7-9 PM EST)
- Once for EU/UK audience (12-2 PM EST / 5-7 PM UK)
Posting Frequency Matters Too
TikTok:
- Optimal: 1-3 posts per day
- Minimum: 1 post per day
- Too much: More than 5/day cannibalizes your own reach
Instagram Reels:
- Optimal: 3-5 posts per week
- Minimum: 3 posts per week
- Too much: More than 2/day annoys followers
YouTube Shorts:
- Optimal: 1 post per day
- Minimum: 3 posts per week
- Too much: Difficult to overpost here
Multi-Platform Posting Strategy
Option 1: Post to All at Once
Post to TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube simultaneously at:
- 7-9 PM EST (covers all three platforms well)
Option 2: Stagger by Platform
- 12 PM: Instagram (lunch)
- 2 PM: YouTube (afternoon)
- 7 PM: TikTok (evening)
Maximizes reach windows but requires more scheduling.
Option 3: Test, Then Optimize
- Week 1: Post at 7 PM to all platforms
- Week 2: Post at 12 PM to all platforms
- Week 3: Post at 2 PM to all platforms
- Compare results, then stick with the best time
Scheduling Posts at Optimal Times
Don't manually post every day at 7 PM. That's exhausting.
Use Scheduling:
- Create content in batches (Sunday afternoon)
- Schedule posts for optimal times throughout the week
- Let automation handle posting while you sleep
Tools that can schedule to TikTok, IG Reels, and YouTube Shorts:
- Socialync (one upload, schedule to all three)
Free method:
- TikTok: Use TikTok's built-in scheduler (desktop only)
- Instagram: Use Meta Creator Studio
- YouTube: Use YouTube Studio
But manually scheduling to three platforms takes forever. Most creators use Socialync to do it all at once.
Don't Overthink It
The 80/20 Rule:
- 80% of your success = Content quality
- 20% of your success = Posting time
Good content at the wrong time > Bad content at the perfect time
Start Simple:
- Post at 7 PM for the first month
- Track your results
- Adjust based on data
Consistency beats perfection.
Common Mistakes
Don't:
❌ Post at 3 AM and wonder why views are low
❌ Post randomly without tracking results
❌ Ignore your specific audience analytics
❌ Copy someone else's posting time without testing
❌ Post only when you feel like it
Do:
✅ Post when your audience is online
✅ Be consistent with timing
✅ Test different times with data
✅ Use scheduling to maintain consistency
✅ Check your analytics monthly
Advanced Strategy: Content Type-Specific Times
Morning Content (Post 6-8 AM):
- Workout videos
- Morning routines
- Motivational content
- Breakfast recipes
Lunch Content (Post 11 AM - 1 PM):
- Quick tutorials
- Food content
- Work-related humor
- Educational content
Evening Content (Post 7-9 PM):
- Entertainment
- Storytelling
- Long-form-style shorts
- Relatable humor
Late Night Content (Post 9-11 PM):
- Chill vibes
- Satisfying content
- Deep thoughts
- Late-night humor
Real Creator Results
Sarah (Beauty Creator):
"I was posting at random times. Started posting Reels at 7 PM consistently. My average views went from 2k to 8k in 3 weeks."
Mike (Gaming Creator):
"Posted my TikToks at 8 PM instead of 2 PM. Went from 5k average views to 25k. Same content, different time."
Lisa (Fitness Creator):
"Morning workout content posted at 6 AM gets 3x more saves than when I posted at noon. People use it as motivation."
Quick-Start Schedule
If You're New to Posting:
Week 1-2: Post every day at 7 PM
Week 3-4: Check analytics, adjust time if needed
Week 5+: Maintain consistent posting time
If You Want to Grow Fast:
Monday: Post at 7 PM
Tuesday: Post at 12 PM and 7 PM
Wednesday: Post at 7 PM
Thursday: Post at 12 PM and 7 PM
Friday: Post at 7 PM
Saturday: Post at 9 AM and 7 PM
Sunday: Post at 9 AM and 7 PM
This hits multiple time windows while staying consistent.
The Bottom Line
The best time to post is:
- When your specific audience is online (check analytics)
- Consistently at the same time (builds routine)
- 7-9 PM if you're guessing (safe bet for most creators)
Overthinking posting times wastes creative energy. Pick a time, stay consistent for 30 days, then adjust based on data.
Want to schedule posts at optimal times automatically? Try Socialync - schedule to TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube in one click. Free plan available.