How to Make a Carousel on Instagram: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Ever seen one of those Instagram posts where you swipe through a bunch of photos or videos in one go? That’s a carousel. It’s basically a slideshow built right into your Instagram feed—up to 10 images or videos in one post. Super handy, super scroll-stopping.

So, why should you care? Carousels get more love than regular posts. They tend to pull in higher engagement, more comments, and way more time spent on your content. Whether you’re showing off a product, telling a story, or breaking something down step-by-step, carousels help you do it in a way that keeps people swiping.

In this guide, you’ll get everything you need to know—from the basics of what a carousel is, to how to make one that looks good, performs well, and actually gets seen. No fluff, no techy jargon—just real, useful stuff you can use right away.

Key Takeaways

• Instagram carousels let you pack up to 10 slides—photos, videos, or both—into one post, making it easy to share tutorials, stories, or product highlights that keep people swiping.

• They perform better than regular posts, giving you more engagement, better storytelling options, and a fun way to break down content step-by-step.

• Clean visuals make a big difference—follow the right sizes, use tools like Canva for seamless design, and keep things consistent for a professional-looking post every time.

What is an Instagram Carousel and Why Use One?

An Instagram carousel is a single post that lets you upload and share up to 10 slides in one go. These carousel slides can be a mix of photos and videos, all grouped under one main caption. People can swipe through your content left to right—like flipping through a mini photo album or watching a short story unfold.

What makes carousels stand out is how much you can pack into just one post. Instead of choosing one image or one clip, you can include multiple images that work together. It’s great for showing off different angles of a product, sharing before-and-after shots, or breaking something down step-by-step.

Carousels also tend to perform better than regular posts. According to Socialinsider’s 2022 Instagram study, carousels have higher average engagement rates—especially when the post mixes photos and video posts. They're ideal for tutorials, visual storytelling, product demos, or even educational info that needs more than one image to explain.

So whether you’re a creator, a small business owner, or just someone who wants their Instagram account to get noticed, carousels are one of the easiest ways to keep people interested and interacting with your content.

Instagram Carousel Sizes and Specs

Before you start throwing multiple photos and videos into a carousel, it helps to know what actually works on Instagram. Using the right sizes means your content looks sharp and doesn’t get cut off in weird places.

For images, the go-to size is 1080 x 1080 pixels if you're posting in a square format. Want a taller look that fills the screen more? 1080 x 1920 pixels is perfect for vertical content.

Videos work great too. Instagram supports formats like MP4 and MOV, which are the most reliable for uploading. Just make sure each file is under 4 GB. The ideal aspect ratio depends on the layout—1:1 for square, 4:5 for vertical posts in the feed, and 9:16 for Stories or Reels.

Stick to JPEG or PNG for images to keep the quality high. Following these specs helps your carousel load faster, look better, and stay clean and crisp on any mobile device.

Step-by-Step: How to Create a Carousel on Instagram

Making a carousel post on Instagram isn’t complicated, but getting it right can make a big difference. Here’s a simple walkthrough to help you post like a pro.

Step 1: Start Your Post

Open the Instagram app and tap the “+” icon at the bottom. This brings up your photo and video library. Tap “Select multiple” (it looks like two overlapping squares) to switch into carousel mode.
Now here’s the key—your first slide matters a lot. It’s the cover of your post, the one everyone sees first. So choose something eye-catching that makes people want to swipe.

Step 2: Select and Arrange Slides

You can add up to 10 images or videos. Choose content that fits together and tells a story. Once selected, drag and drop the slides into the order you want.
Think of your carousel like a timeline or a mini-story—make sure the flow makes sense from beginning to end.

Step 3: Edit Your Media

Once you’ve picked your slides, tap “Next” to start editing. You can apply a filter to all slides or tweak each one individually.
Use tools like brightness, contrast, and sharpness to keep your visuals looking polished. Try to keep the style consistent so everything feels like it belongs together.

Step 4: Add Captions, Hashtags & Tags

Each create post option gives you one caption, so make it count. Say what the post is about, and if it’s a how-to or a story, give your audience a reason to swipe through.
Use clear calls-to-action like “Swipe to see more” or “Slide 3 will surprise you.” Hashtags help you reach new people, and tagging other accounts (like collaborators or brands) can boost visibility. You can also add a location for local reach.

Step 5: Share Your Post

Do a quick check: is the order right? Do all the images look good together? Is your caption typo-free?
If you need to remove something, tap the trash can icon before sharing. When everything looks good, hit “Share”. You can also add it to your Story for extra reach, or promote it if you’re running a carousel ad.

Done! You’ve just created an Instagram carousel that’s ready to impress.

How to Schedule Instagram Carousel Posts

Want your carousel to go live when your followers are actually online? Scheduling helps you stay consistent without having to post in real time—and yes, it works for carousels too.

Using Meta Business Suite

Meta Business Suite is Instagram’s official scheduling tool, and it’s pretty straightforward. It works best for desktop users, especially if you're managing more than one account.
Just connect your Instagram to your Facebook page, create a new post, upload your carousel, and hit the “Schedule” option. Choose your date and time, and you’re done.
You can plan a week’s worth of posts in one sitting, which is great if you don’t want to think about it every day.

Using Third-Party Tools

Apps like Planable, Later, and Sprout Social also let you schedule carousels. Some even have drag-and-drop editors and visual calendars so you can map out your content in advance.
These tools are especially handy if you’re working from your phone or managing content for multiple brands.
The main benefit? You stay consistent, avoid last-minute posting stress, and can post during peak engagement times—even if you're asleep.

Creative Use Cases for Carousels

Once you’ve got the hang of making carousels, the fun part begins—deciding how to actually use them. This format isn’t just about stacking images; it’s a chance to tell stories, teach something, or showcase products in a way that grabs attention.

Product Showcases

Selling something? A carousel lets you show it off from every angle. One slide can focus on the overall look, the next on close-up details, and another on how it’s used.
It’s especially useful for things like clothing, food, or home items—anything where a single image just doesn’t do it justice. Brands often use carousels to highlight different features, sizes, or color options in one clean, scrollable post.

Step-by-Step Tutorials

Got a how-to? Carousels are a natural fit. Whether it’s a DIY project, recipe, fitness routine, or makeup look, each step can live on its own slide.
It keeps things simple and organized for your audience, and it’s way more engaging than cramming instructions into one caption or video.

Stories & Testimonials

Carousels are great for building connection too. You can share customer stories, behind-the-scenes moments, or even the timeline of an event—one slide at a time.
Add text overlays to each image or video to guide the story. It makes your message feel more personal and gives people a reason to keep swiping.

Designing a Seamless Instagram Carousel

Want your carousel to look like one long, smooth design that flows from slide to slide? That’s called a seamless carousel post—and it seriously levels up the visual appeal. It’s especially great for brand storytelling, infographics, or anything where the layout matters.

Using Canva to Design Slides

To create a seamless design, start with a wide canvas in Canva. Set it to 10800 pixels wide by 1080 pixels high—that’s ten 1080px-wide slides lined up side by side.
Now design like it’s one big image. You can have text, graphics, or shapes stretch across multiple slides for a smooth swipe effect. Canva’s rulers and guides help you keep everything aligned.

Splitting Slides Correctly

Once your design is ready, you’ll need to split it into 10 separate images. You can do this right in Canva by copying sections into new pages, or use free online tools that slice images evenly.
Make sure to export each one at 1080 x 1080 pixels so the resolution stays crisp and nothing gets blurry or cropped.

Tips for Consistency

Keep your fonts, colors, and style consistent across all slides. Stick to your brand’s color palette and use alignment tools so text and graphics don’t jump around.
The goal is to make it feel like one smooth visual experience, not a jumble of different designs. It looks professional and makes your content way more swipe-worthy.

Templates to Speed Up Carousel Creation

If you’re posting carousels regularly, instagram carousel templates are a total time-saver. Instead of starting from scratch every time, you can plug your content into a pre-made design that’s already sized, styled, and ready to go. It keeps your posts looking clean and consistent—and way less stressful to make.

Templates are especially handy for repeating formats like tips, quotes, product features, or quick stats. You just swap out the text and images while keeping the layout the same. It’s perfect for staying on-brand without spending hours designing.

You can find free and paid carousel templates on Canva, Adobe Express, and Easil. They come with built-in design ideas that are easy to customize. Or, if you have a style you love, own Instagram carousel templates can be created and reused for a smoother workflow.

It’s one of the easiest ways to make great-looking carousels fast.

Final Tips for Carousel Success

You’ve got the tools—now it’s about making your carousel stand out. First, keep your text short and to the point. Let your visuals do most of the talking. Too much writing can feel overwhelming and makes people swipe away faster.

Your first slide is everything, so treat it like a headline. Use bold visuals or a question that grabs attention right away. If people aren’t hooked by slide one, they won’t swipe to slide two.

After you post, check your Instagram Insights to see how it performs. Look at metrics like swipes, likes, saves, and comments. This helps you figure out what’s working and what your audience wants more of.

Test different styles, layouts, and topics. The more you experiment, the better your carousels will get.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many slides can I add?

You can include up to 10 images or videos in one Instagram carousel post.

Can I use video in carousels?

Absolutely. Carousels can mix both photos and videos. Just make sure each video is under 4 GB and saved as MP4 or MOV.

Can I schedule carousel posts without a business account?

Nope—you’ll need to switch to a business or creator account to use scheduling tools like Meta Business Suite or third-party apps. The switch is free and quick.

What apps help with carousel design?

Canva, Adobe Express, and Easil are great for designing carousels. They offer templates and tools that help you stay on-brand and save time.

What makes a good first slide?

Think of your first slide like a headline—it should be bold, clear, and interesting enough to stop the scroll. Use strong visuals or a short, punchy hook.