Instagram Templates: How to Use Reels, Story and Carousel Templates

What counts as an Instagram template

"Instagram template" means three different things, and it helps to know which one you need.

How to use a Reels template in the Instagram app

Instagram's Help Center notes that Reels templates work in the iPhone and Android apps, not on computers. When you use one, the template's audio and clip placeholders are added for you, and you swap in your own photos or videos.

Find a template from a reel you're watching

1. Open a reel you like.
2. Look for Use template on screen, or tap the three-dot menu and look for a template option.
3. Tap it to open the template in the Reels editor.

Not every reel is available as a template, so the option won't appear on every video.

Browse templates from the Reels camera

1. Tap + (create), then choose Reel.
2. Tap Templates to browse suggested and trending templates.
3. Select one and tap Use template.

Fill and publish the template

1. Tap Add media and select clips or photos from your gallery. Instagram fills each slot in order, trimmed to the template's timing.
2. Tap a clip to swap it or adjust which part of the footage plays.
3. Add text, stickers or captions, then tap Next.
4. Write a caption, add up to five relevant hashtags, and tap Share.

Saving templates for later

Instagram lets you save templates to come back to them, and you can make your own reel available as a template for others. Look for the template options in the reel's menu; exact labels change between app versions.

If you edit in Meta's separate Edits app, its listing also mentions templates that carry over effects from Reels. Our video editor apps comparison covers Edits and other tools in more detail.

How to use Add Yours templates in Stories

Add Yours turns a Story into a prompt that others can answer, creating a chain of responses.

1. Open the Stories camera and add a photo, video or background.
2. Tap the sticker icon.
3. Choose Add Yours to write a simple prompt, or Add Yours Templates (where available) to create a fill-in layout with text, GIFs or images.
4. Share the Story. Anyone who sees it can tap the sticker to add their own version.

Good Add Yours prompts for brands and creators:

• "Show your desk setup"
• "Your go-to order at our café"
• "This or that: [option A] or [option B]"
• "Share a photo from your first run of the year"

Keep prompts easy to answer from a camera roll. More ideas are in our Instagram Story hacks.

How to create your own branded templates

Built-in templates are great for trends. For a recognizable feed, build a small set of your own design templates.

Start with the right sizes

Keep text and logos away from the top and bottom of vertical designs, where Instagram's interface overlaps. Our Instagram dimensions guide explains safe zones and grid cropping.

Canva

Canva's free plan includes a large template library, a drag-and-drop editor and one brand kit with a small set of colors. Canva Pro adds premium templates, more brand kits, Magic Resize and social content scheduling.

1. Search for Instagram post or Instagram story and pick a template, or start from a blank design at the size above.
2. Replace fonts and colors with your brand's.
3. Lock background elements you don't want changed.
4. Duplicate pages to create variants (cover slide, content slide, final call-to-action slide).
5. Save it as a master design and make a copy each time you post.

Adobe Express

Adobe Express has a free plan with static and video templates, basic editing and scheduling to one account per social network. Premium adds all premium templates, brand kits and more scheduling accounts.

1. Choose an Instagram template or size.
2. Apply your fonts, colors and logo.
3. Save the design and duplicate it for each new post.

Plan features change often, so check the current pricing page before relying on a specific feature.

Reels templates vs trending audio: which to use

Reels templates and trending audio overlap, but they solve different problems.

Either way, the footage should be yours and relevant to your audience. A template filled with random stock clips rarely holds attention.

Common template mistakes

• Using a template that doesn't fit your content. A fast, beat-matched template can make a calm product demo feel frantic.
• Leaving placeholder text or colors. Edit every element in a design template, including small footer text.
• Too many different templates. A feed that switches style every post looks inconsistent. Pick a few and stick with them.
• Text in the wrong place. Instagram's buttons and captions cover parts of Reels and Stories. Test a design on your phone before posting.
• Ignoring grid cropping. Carousel covers and Reel covers show as 3:4 thumbnails on your profile, so keep headlines centered.
• Assuming audio will carry over for every account. Business accounts can have a more limited music library, so a template's sound may not be available.

Build a starter template kit

You don't need dozens of layouts. Five or six cover most accounts:

1. Carousel cover slide with a strong headline area.
2. Carousel content slide with a numbered point and short text.
3. Closing slide with one call to action (save, follow, visit link).
4. Quote or testimonial post with space for attribution.
5. Announcement Story for launches, restocks or events.
6. Reel cover with a short title placed within the central 3:4 area so it reads on your profile grid.

Pair each template with a saved caption structure and a hashtag set. Browse ready-made five-tag sets on our Reels hashtags and small business hashtags pages.