How to Post on Instagram From Desktop (Step by Step)

You can post on Instagram from desktop on a PC or Mac. Go to instagram.com, log in, click Create, click Post, then Select from computer, choose your file, edit it, add a caption and click Share. Instagram's Help Center documents these steps for photos, and the same Create menu handles carousels and reels.

This guide shows each step, what limits apply, what you cannot post from a computer (stories, except through Meta Business Suite), and how to schedule instead. For scheduling in general, see our guide to scheduling social media posts. To go from a Facebook post to Instagram, see how to share Facebook posts to Instagram.

How to post a photo on Instagram from your computer

You post a photo from a computer by using the Create button on instagram.com in a desktop browser. The supported formats are jpg, png and heic/heif. Follow these steps in a desktop browser.

1. Open instagram.com in your browser and log in.
2. Click Create in the menu on the left.
3. Click Post, then click Select from computer.
4. Choose a photo, or drag and drop the file into the window.
5. Pick the size (crop) for your photo and click Next in the top right.
6. Click Filters or Adjustments at the top if you want to edit, then click Next.
7. Write your caption, and add a location or alternative text if you want them.
8. Click Share in the top right.

Under Advanced Settings you can turn off commenting on the post. Alternative text is under Accessibility. Both are listed in Instagram's photo posting steps.

How to post multiple photos (carousel) from desktop

A carousel from desktop works the same way, with one extra step to add more files. Instagram says you can share up to 20 photos and videos as a single feed post.

Click Create, then Post, then Select from computer and pick your first file. Click the icon that lets you add more media, then select up to 20 photos and videos. Drag a file to change the order, or remove one with the icon next to it. Scheduling is stricter: Meta Business Suite says the limit for posting to Instagram is 10 photos.

One setting applies to the whole post: the orientation you choose (square, portrait or landscape) affects every photo or video in it. You cannot give each slide its own orientation. You can add one caption and one location for the post, and tag people in each photo.

Videos in a carousel are not reels. Instagram notes they do not appear in the Reels tab or get reels features.

How to post a reel on Instagram from desktop

Reels use the same path: Create, Post, Select from computer. Instagram's reel guide says you can record and edit videos up to 20 minutes, and that reels over 3 minutes will not be recommended to new audiences.

After you pick the video, click Next. You can choose a cover photo with the slider or by selecting one from your computer, and trim the start or end of the clip. Click Next again to write the caption, add a location, tag people, add alternate text and adjust settings, then click Share. To add another clip, click Media in the bottom right, then Add.

Instagram also notes that reels are not available to every account, so some accounts can view reels but not record them. For ideas on what to put in them, see our Instagram Reels strategy for 2026.

Can you post an Instagram story from a computer?

Not from instagram.com. Instagram's help page for sharing a photo or video to a story says the feature isn't available on computers, only on phones and tablets in the app. On a phone, the steps are in how to post a Story on Instagram.

There is one desktop route. Meta Business Suite lets you create and schedule a story on a computer for a connected Instagram account: click Create story, add up to 10 photos or videos and choose Share now or Schedule. Use Meta's tools or the app for stories.

What you can and cannot do from desktop

On a computer, instagram.com covers feed posts, carousels and reels, but not stories or sharing a post straight to Facebook. This table summarizes what Instagram's own help pages say about each post type, with a source for every row.

What you want to post	From instagram.com on a computer?	Source
Photo	Yes, jpg, png, heic or heif	Post a photo
Carousel	Yes, up to 20 photos and videos	Multiple photos
Reel	Yes, up to 20 minutes	Record a reel
Story	No, phone app only	Share to story
Share the post to Facebook	No, Android and iPhone app only	Share to Facebook

Prepare your image before you upload

Instagram only offers basic crop and filters on desktop, so resize the photo to the shape you want before you upload it. The browser-based Instagram photo resizer does this without installing anything.

How to schedule an Instagram post from desktop

Instagram's help pages show posting from instagram.com but no scheduling step, so to schedule from a computer you need Meta Business Suite or a third-party scheduler. Both let you pick a date and time in the browser.

In Meta Business Suite, click Create post from the home page or the Content tab, and write your post. Meta's desktop guide says to select the date and time under Scheduling options (or click Active times) and click Schedule. You see scheduled items in Planner. Your Instagram account must be connected in Meta Business Suite first.

A third-party scheduler works from one browser tab for several networks. SociaHive schedules Instagram feed photos, videos and carousels of up to 10 items, but not stories or reels. For the full walkthrough, see how to schedule Instagram posts and can you schedule Instagram posts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you post on Instagram from desktop?

Yes. Go to instagram.com, click Create, click Post, then Select from computer, choose your file, edit it and click Share. This works for photos, carousels of up to 20 items and reels. Stories are the exception: Instagram says that feature is not available on computers.

What file types can I upload to Instagram from a computer?

For photos, Instagram's help page lists jpg, png and heic/heif. Videos for reels and carousels use the same Select from computer button. Reels can run up to 20 minutes, and carousels can hold up to 20 photos and videos in one post.

Can I schedule an Instagram post from a computer?

Yes, but not on instagram.com, where Instagram's help pages show posting but no scheduling step. Use Meta Business Suite (Create post, then Scheduling options) or a third-party scheduler. Both let you pick a date and time, and the post publishes later without you being online.

Can I edit or delete an Instagram post after sharing it?

Yes. Instagram's help center says you can edit or delete posts you have shared. Its page lists deleting a post, adding or editing a caption, adding or editing a location, and recovering deleted content. Check that page for the exact steps on your device.

Sources

1. Instagram Help Center, Post a photo on Instagram
2. Instagram Help Center, Share a post with multiple photos or videos on Instagram
3. Instagram Help Center, Record a reel on Instagram
4. Instagram Help Center, Share a photo or video to your Instagram story
5. Instagram Help Center, Share your Instagram posts to Facebook
6. Meta Business Help Center, Create and manage posts in Meta Business Suite on desktop
7. Meta Business Help Center, Create and manage stories in Meta Business Suite on desktop
8. Instagram Help Center, Edit and delete your posts