2+ billion Monthly Users

Best Time to Post on Instagram
in UTC

Instagram is a visual entertainment platform. 2026 data shows peak engagement in the evenings when people have leisure time to scroll and engage.

Weekly Engagement Heatmap

Darker cells indicate higher engagement potential for Instagram.

6 AM

9 AM

12 PM

3 PM

6 PM

9 PM

Mon

56%

Tue

81%

92%

69%

57%

Wed

81%

92%

69%

57%

Thu

81%

92%

69%

57%

Fri

81%

92%

69%

57%

Sat★

69%

100%

98%

86%

57%

Sun★

60%

90%

85%

75%

50%

Low

Medium

High

★Weekend

Best Times to Post by Day (UTC)

Monday

Low

Peak: 8:00 PM

6:00 PM8:00 PM9:00 PM

Tuesday

Best

Peak: 8:00 PM

6:00 PM8:00 PM9:00 PM

Wednesday

Best

Peak: 8:00 PM

6:00 PM8:00 PM9:00 PM

Thursday

Best

Peak: 8:00 PM

6:00 PM8:00 PM9:00 PM

Friday

Best

Peak: 9:00 PM

6:00 PM8:00 PM10:00 PM

Saturday

Best

Peak: 9:00 PM

6:00 PM8:00 PM10:00 PM

Sunday

Peak: 8:00 PM

6:00 PM8:00 PM9:00 PM

Key Takeaways

Best Days

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Best Time

Evenings 6-11 PM daily, with Friday/Saturday nights being the absolute peak

Engagement Boost

29% when posted at optimal times

Instagram Posting Tips

Friday and Saturday nights (8 PM - 11 PM) are PRIME for Reels and entertainment content
Evening hours (6-10 PM) catch people when they're relaxed after work
After-dinner scrolling (8-10 PM) is the sweet spot for engagement
Sunday evenings are underrated. People prepare mentally for the week ahead.
Avoid lunch hours - people are busy working or eating quickly at their desks.

"Evenings are golden for creators. The 6-11 PM window catches people when they're actually relaxed and using their phones, not busy at work."

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to post on Instagram in UTC?

Based on research from Sprout Social and Hootsuite, the best times to post on Instagram in UTC are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday during Evenings 6-11 PM daily, with Friday/Saturday nights being the absolute peak. Peak engagement typically occurs in the 8:00 PM timeframe.

What are the worst times to post on Instagram?

The worst times to post on Instagram are generally on Monday. Avoid posting between midnight and early morning (12 AM - 5 AM) when engagement is typically lowest.

How much does posting at the right time affect engagement on Instagram?

Posting at optimal times can increase engagement by 29% when posted at optimal times. However, content quality and consistency remain the most important factors for long-term success.

Should I post at the same time every day on Instagram?

Consistency is key, but optimal times vary by day. Use the day-by-day breakdown above to schedule posts at each day's peak times. TheTabber's scheduling feature can help you automate this process.