Instagram allows 5 hashtags now
Not 30. Instagram cut the hashtag limit to 5 a post, Reels included. Most guides haven't caught up.
Checked against the sources on 23 October 2026
The change: on December 18, 2025, Instagram said it "will gradually update the number of hashtags that you can include in a caption for a reel or post to five."[1] Before that, it had tested 3 on some accounts. Its Help Center now says up to 5.[2]
What it means for you
- Rule5 hashtags per caption, on posts and Reels.[1]
- RuleOld caption templates with 10 or 30 tags are over the limit. Trim them before you post or schedule.
- AdvicePick specific tags over broad ones. Instagram has said a few specific tags do better than a long list of generic ones, and that tags like #reels or #explore don't help.[1]
- AdviceHashtags help people find a post in search. Instagram's head has said they don't raise reach on their own.[1]
Is your caption over the limit?
Paste it into the free caption checker. It keeps your first 5 tags and copies the fixed caption.
Ghostedit blocks a scheduled post with 6+ hashtags before it can fail.
Questions
How many hashtags does Instagram allow in 2026?
Five per post or Reel.[1] The old limit was 30.
Does it apply to Reels?
Yes. Instagram named both Reels and posts.[1]
What happens to captions with more than 5?
The limit rolled out gradually, so accounts met it at different times. Keep 5 or fewer in every caption to be safe.
Why do some guides still say 30?
30 was the limit for years, and Meta's developer docs still list it.[3] Instagram's own announcement and Help Center say 5.
Sources
- Social Media Today, "Instagram Implements New Limits on Hashtag Use", Dec 18, 2025 (quotes Instagram's announcement): socialmediatoday.com, checked 23 Oct 2026
- Instagram Help Center, Use hashtags on Instagram: help.instagram.com
- Meta for Developers, IG User Media (still lists 30): developers.facebook.com
See every other limit in the Reel, TikTok and Shorts size guide.