As a creator, marketer, or small enterprise proprietor juggling 47 different to-dos, making an attempt to maintain up with Instagram Reels tendencies can really feel like working after a transferring practice in flip-flops.
Simply while you suppose you’ve discovered the proper format, it’s already peaked, everybody’s moved on to one thing new… and also you’ve misplaced a flip-flop.
That’s why we’ve put collectively this information to make it simpler to hop on the trending reels practice. Each month, we’ll replace this useful resource with the highest Instagram Reels tendencies heating up on the feed, what they’re, and how one can incorporate them into your content material creation.
Bonus: The tendencies we’ve included on this listing are straightforward to create, with no pro-level modifying required.
11 trending reels on Instagram
Whereas single photographs nonetheless get posted most frequently, reels now make up greater than 50% of the time customers spend on Instagram.
And, in our evaluation of over 4 million Instagram posts, we confirmed that reels persistently outperform all different codecs for attain, with 36% extra attain than carousels, and 125% extra attain than single-image posts.
Carousels ranked tops for engagement, however because the stats counsel, creating video content material could be tremendous useful on the subject of reaching new audiences.
And it doesn’t must be difficult. Quick, snappy reels (even low-effort ones) can drive severe attain, particularly once they’re paired with trending audio or relatable codecs. And when you’re unsure the place to begin, don’t fear; you don’t want fancy gear or a full manufacturing crew.
Right here’s a fast roundup of 12 trending (and straightforward to copy) reels you may add to your content material calendar.
1. Accent necessities on a espresso tray
What actually counts as “important”? A croissant, a candle, your tiny classic digicam, and naturally, espresso. Creators are utilizing this pattern to spotlight simply how a lot persona and favourite merchandise you may pile onto a single espresso tray.
Efficient for: Way of life, product flatlays, minimalist vogue
Problem degree: 4/10 – an awesome excuse to seize a espresso
✅
Professional tip: Reels look their greatest at 1080 x 1920 pixels with a 9:16 side ratio. Right here’s the newest Instagram measurement information.
2. Balancing in heels
Impressed by Nicki Minaj, this problem is all about strutting (or surviving) in heels, usually involving balancing on one thing absurd. This pattern celebrates confidence, vogue, and a contact of humble stability bragging. The extra dramatic the outfit or motion, the higher.
Be at liberty to make use of unique audio for this one; it might even be enjoyable to create a separate (or spliced) behind-the-scenes reel utilizing the unique audio as you get into place.
- Efficient for: Glamour pictures, vogue manufacturers, dancers, DIY vogue
- Problem degree: 6/10 – Fashion + stability + timing = scroll-stopping magic
3. A day within the life transition
Swipe, reveal, repeat. Utilizing the Imma Be beat, creators showcase their every day routines with daring transitions and punchy on-screen textual content. Feels each chaotic and polished — and really 2025.
- Efficient for: Creators, scholar life, entrepreneurs
- Problem degree: 8/10 – Price it when you nail these swipe transitions (Right here’s a tutorial on methods to do it.)
- Audio: Imma Be by Black Eyed Peas
4. Bugatti slide
Received a clean flooring, a prepared buddy, and a dramatic aptitude? Then you definately’ve acquired every part you want for this luxury-meets-loony slide problem.
Be certain whoever if serving to you recreate this reels pattern would not seize your pants, quite than your ankles. (You may see why when you watch the clip beneath.)
- Efficient for: Humor, luxurious spoofs, product reveals
- Problem degree: 5/10 – Simply don’t pull a hamstring
- Audio: Bugatti by Ace Hood
5. As we speak would have been my birthday
“As we speak might’ve been my birthday if I had been born at the moment… so might as effectively deal with myself.” That’s the vibe of this playful twist on the unique pattern. It’s all about utilizing birthday power as an excuse to rejoice actually something (or nothing). Self-love, delusion, or reductions; you resolve.
- Efficient for: Humorous self-care, product promos, lighthearted “deal with your self” moments
- Problem degree: 3/10 – One textual content overlay, one digicam angle, and a bit of birthday-level delusion.
6. I grieve totally different
You begin with the wins, then growth: the kicker or downer, with the textual content overlay, “I grieve totally different.” Excellent for sincere moments or cheeky self-roasts.
- Efficient for: Emotional storytelling, humor with a twist
- Problem degree: 7/10 – You’ll want robust supply and sensible edits
- Audio: United in Grief by Kendrick Lamar
7. Propaganda I’m falling for
Flipping from the unique “propaganda I’m NOT falling for,” this reels pattern includes itemizing beliefs/gadgets you do love.
- Efficient for: Merchandise folks love to like, private quirks
- Problem degree: 3/10 – Take a video of one thing you’re falling for and add a textual content overlay
8. You’re really useful to me
It’s like Tinder meets handshake memes. Companions introduce one another whereas lip syncing “you’re really useful to me” — nice for BFFs, {couples}, or model collabs with sudden pairings.
- Efficient for: Model partnerships, opposites-attract storytelling
- Problem degree: 6/10 – Coordination and timing are key
- Audio: Unlawful by PinkPatheress.
9. Who mentioned that?
The voiceover says one thing daring (otherwise you say it as an apart), then you definately seem with a glance that claims, “Excuse me?” Use it to bust myths and stereotypes, or make enjoyable of assumptions.
- Efficient for: Advocacy, humor, model values
- Problem degree: 4/10 – Script it sensible, then nail the response
10. Psychological well being stroll
“I’m taking a psychological well being stroll” → lower to wandering round IKEA, Sephora, or the airport. This pattern is all about self-care meets absurdity.
- Efficient for: Relatable humor, way of life manufacturers
- Problem degree: 4/10 – Simply discover a random location and commit
11. One thing to take the sting off
Showcases self-care, stress-free routines, or unwinding moments. These Instagram Reels will also be humorous, like this instance of @marksmith22 opening and smelling a brand new can of tennis balls (If you already know, you already know). Something that “takes the sting off” is honest sport.
- Efficient for: Wellness, humor, low-stakes pleasure
- Problem degree: 4/10 – Lean into the extraordinary
The right way to discover prime Instagram Reels tendencies
If not one of the choices above are fairly best for you, you may have a fast look your self. Listed below are six alternative ways to search out trending reels on Instagram:
- Examine your skilled dashboard: When you’ve got a enterprise or creator account, go to your Instagram profile → Skilled dashboard → Inspiration to see reels tailor-made to your area of interest.
- Browse the reels feed & Discover web page: Look ahead to repeating audio, codecs, or results, and make sure to faucet and save something you see usually. You can too save your concepts in your Buffer Create area.
- Use the Reels Developments insights instrument (U.S. accounts solely): Go to Menu → Settings & exercise → Reels Developments to search out presently common sounds and hashtags.
- Observe Instagram’s @Creators account: They share well timed ideas, pattern roundups, tutorials, and unique updates through their broadcast channel.
- Scout TikTok for early tendencies: Use TikTok’s Artistic Heart or browse trending movies to identify codecs and audios earlier than they attain Instagram.
Bonus: Attempt Instagram Reels templates
Instagram Reels templates are pre-made video codecs that allow you to simply recreate common reel types utilizing your individual content material. Templates are particularly useful when you’re new to reels or wish to pace up your content material creation.
As an alternative of manually syncing your clips to music or guessing the timing of transitions, a template provides you a ready-made construction — together with clip timing, audio, and transitions — so all it’s a must to do is drop in your photographs or movies.
1. Click on on the underside proper nook to go to your profile
2. Go to the + icon in your profile
3. Choose Reels
4. Click on on Templates
5. Browse the assorted templates — really useful for you, trending, and extra
6. Embed your video clips into these templates and, identical to that, your Instagram Reel is prepared
Supply
Professional tip: You can too discover the choice to “Use template” in some movies while you scroll on the Instagram Reel tab.
Not each present Instagram Reels pattern is value your time
Sure, trending reels can increase your attain and engagement, however provided that they really make sense for you. If a pattern feels pressured or completely off-brand, skip it. The purpose isn’t to go viral at any value — it’s to indicate up in ways in which really feel sensible, genuine, and true to what you’re all about. Developments are instruments, not a to-do listing.
Should you’re feeling caught, ask your self a easy query: Is that this one thing I’d wish to ship to a buddy?
In response to Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, the platform values and pushes reels that individuals discover value sharing.
Comfortable creating!
With these trending reels in your arsenal, you’re all set to publish with extra confidence (and perhaps even consistency). Soar on a sound, check out a template, or check a pattern and make it give you the results you want.
Hopefully, this listing provides you some inspiration, and Buffer provides you the help to get began. With planning, scheduling, and analytics instruments, Buffer will help take the admin out of staying constant on Instagram, so you may give attention to the enjoyable stuff, like creating essentially the most present Instagram Reels tendencies.
Should you check out any of the trending reels we’ve shared, tag us @buffer on Instagram — we’d like to cheer you on and share your reels with our neighborhood.
Extra Instagram sources
FAQ on trending Instagram Reels
How lengthy can a trending reel be?
On the time of writing this text, an Instagram Reel could be wherever from 15 seconds to 3 minutes in size. Regardless of the pattern, we advocate utilizing brief clips, protecting them punchy and able to cease the scroll.
How do I discover trending reels on Instagram?
You may spot trending reels by scrolling the Reels tab or Discover web page and awaiting patterns like repeating audio, codecs, or results. Should you see the little arrow subsequent to the audio title, which means it’s trending. You can too use instruments just like the Skilled Dashboard or Instagram’s Reels Developments function (if out there in your area) to get inspiration tailor-made to your area of interest.
Or, you may simply bookmark this weblog to have the newest trending reels readily available always. (10/10 advocate.)
How do I discover trending songs on reels?
Search for the trending arrow icon when watching reels — which means the audio is gaining traction. Faucet on the audio title to see what number of others are utilizing it. Instagram’s Reels Developments hub (present in your settings) and @creators account are additionally nice sources for what’s sizzling proper now. Listed below are 10 easy methods to search out trending Instagram audio in 2025.
How do I add trending audio to Instagram Reels?
While you’re making a reel, faucet the music icon to go looking or browse for audio. Should you’ve saved trending sounds earlier, you’ll discover them in your Saved folder. Simply faucet so as to add the audio to your reel earlier than recording or whereas modifying.
How do I discover trending reel templates?
Faucet + to create a reel → Choose Templates → Browse the Trending part for templates utilizing common codecs or audio. You can too faucet Use Template immediately from reels you see in your feed.
The right way to know in case your reel is trending?
There’s no official “Your reel is trending!” notification (sadly), however indicators embody a speedy spike in views, new followers, elevated engagement, and a wider attain on the Discover or Reels feeds. Control your Insights and Buffer analytics for efficiency tendencies.
What’s trending on Instagram Reels proper now?
Excellent news! We’ve listed the highest trending reels, audios, and codecs heating up Instagram this month. Scroll up for our curated roundup to save lots of time and bounce in whereas tendencies are sizzling. And make sure to bookmark this weblog for future reference.
What music is trending on Instagram Reels?
Buffer’s acquired you lined with the newest audio trending on Instagram Reels. Listed below are 17 Trending Sounds on Instagram in 2025 (+ The right way to Use Them).