As a creator, marketer, or small business owner juggling 47 other to-dos, trying to keep up with Instagram Reels trends can feel like running after a moving train in flip-flops.
Just when you think you’ve found the perfect format, it’s already peaked, everyone’s moved on to something new… and you’ve lost a flip-flop.
That’s why we’ve put together this guide to make it easier to hop on the trending reels train. Every month, we’ll update this resource with the top Instagram Reels trends heating up on the feed, what they are, and how you can incorporate them into your content creation.
Bonus: The trends we’ve included on this list are easy to create, with no pro-level editing required.
11 trending reels on Instagram
While single images still get posted most often, reels now make up more than 50% of the time users spend on Instagram.
And, in our analysis of over 4 million Instagram posts, we confirmed that reels consistently outperform all other formats for reach, with 36% more reach than carousels, and 125% more reach than single-image posts.
Carousels ranked tops for engagement, but as the stats suggest, creating video content can be super helpful when it comes to reaching new audiences.
And it doesn’t have to be complicated. Short, snappy reels (even low-effort ones) can drive serious reach, especially when they’re paired with trending audio or relatable formats. And if you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry; you don’t need fancy gear or a full production crew.
Here’s a quick roundup of 12 trending (and easy to replicate) reels you can add to your content calendar.
1. Accessory essentials on a coffee tray
What really counts as “essential”? A croissant, a candle, your tiny vintage camera, and of course, coffee. Creators are using this trend to highlight just how much personality and favorite products you can pile onto a single coffee tray.
Effective for: Lifestyle, product flatlays, minimalist fashion
Difficulty level: 4/10 – a great excuse to grab a coffee
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2. Balancing in heels
Inspired by Nicki Minaj, this challenge is all about strutting (or surviving) in heels, often involving balancing on something absurd. This trend celebrates confidence, fashion, and a touch of humble balance bragging. The more dramatic the outfit or action, the better.
Feel free to use original audio for this one; it could even be fun to create a separate (or spliced) behind-the-scenes reel using the original audio as you get into position.
- Effective for: Glamour shots, fashion brands, dancers, DIY fashion
- Difficulty level: 6/10 – Style + balance + timing = scroll-stopping magic
3. A day in the life transition
Swipe, reveal, repeat. Using the Imma Be beat, creators showcase their daily routines with bold transitions and punchy on-screen text. Feels both chaotic and polished — and very 2025.
- Effective for: Creators, student life, entrepreneurs
- Difficulty level: 8/10 – Worth it if you nail those swipe transitions (Here’s a tutorial on how to do it.)
- Audio: Imma Be by Black Eyed Peas
4. Bugatti slide
Got a smooth floor, a willing friend, and a dramatic flair? Then you’ve got everything you need for this luxury-meets-loony slide challenge.
Make sure whoever if helping you recreate this reels trend doesn’t grab your pants, rather than your ankles. (You’ll see why if you watch the clip below.)
- Effective for: Humor, luxury spoofs, product reveals
- Difficulty level: 5/10 – Just don’t pull a hamstring
- Audio: Bugatti by Ace Hood
5. Today would have been my birthday
“Today could’ve been my birthday if I were born today… so may as well treat myself.” That’s the vibe of this playful twist on the original trend. It’s all about using birthday energy as an excuse to celebrate literally anything (or nothing). Self-love, delusion, or discounts; you decide.
- Effective for: Humorous self-care, product promos, lighthearted “treat yourself” moments
- Difficulty level: 3/10 – One text overlay, one camera angle, and a little birthday-level delusion.
6. I grieve different
You start with the wins, then boom: the kicker or downer, with the text overlay, “I grieve different.” Perfect for honest moments or cheeky self-roasts.
- Effective for: Emotional storytelling, humor with a twist
- Difficulty level: 7/10 – You’ll need strong delivery and smart edits
- Audio: United in Grief by Kendrick Lamar
7. Propaganda I’m falling for
Flipping from the original “propaganda I’m NOT falling for,” this reels trend involves listing beliefs/items you do love.
- Effective for: Products people love to love, personal quirks
- Difficulty level: 3/10 – Take a video of something you’re falling for and add a text overlay
8. You’re recommended to me
It’s like Tinder meets handshake memes. Partners introduce each other while lip syncing “you’re recommended to me” — great for BFFs, couples, or brand collabs with unexpected pairings.
- Effective for: Brand partnerships, opposites-attract storytelling
- Difficulty level: 6/10 – Coordination and timing are key
- Audio: Illegal by PinkPatheress.
9. Who said that?
The voiceover says something bold (or you say it as an aside), then you appear with a look that says, “Excuse me?” Use it to bust myths and stereotypes, or make fun of assumptions.
- Effective for: Advocacy, humor, brand values
- Difficulty level: 4/10 – Script it smart, then nail the reaction
10. Mental health walk
“I’m taking a mental health walk” → cut to wandering around IKEA, Sephora, or the airport. This trend is all about self-care meets absurdity.
- Effective for: Relatable humor, lifestyle brands
- Difficulty level: 4/10 – Just find a random location and commit
11. Something to take the edge off
Showcases self-care, relaxing routines, or unwinding moments. These Instagram Reels can also be humorous, like this example of @marksmith22 opening and smelling a new can of tennis balls (If you know, you know). Anything that “takes the edge off” is fair game.
- Effective for: Wellness, humor, low-stakes joy
- Difficulty level: 4/10 – Lean into the weird and wonderful
How to find top Instagram Reels trends
If none of the options above are quite right for you, you can have a quick look yourself. Here are six different ways to find trending reels on Instagram:
- Check your professional dashboard: If you have a business or creator account, go to your Instagram profile → Professional dashboard → Inspiration to see reels tailored to your niche.
- Browse the reels feed & Explore page: Watch for repeating audio, formats, or effects, and be sure to tap and save anything you spot often. You can also save your ideas in your Buffer Create space.
- Use the Reels Trends insights tool (U.S. accounts only): Go to Menu → Settings & activity → Reels Trends to find currently popular sounds and hashtags.
- Follow Instagram’s @Creators account: They share timely tips, trend roundups, tutorials, and exclusive updates via their broadcast channel.
- Scout TikTok for early trends: Use TikTok’s Creative Center or browse trending videos to spot formats and audios before they reach Instagram.
Bonus: Try Instagram Reels templates
Instagram Reels templates are pre-made video formats that let you easily recreate popular reel styles using your own content. Templates are especially handy if you’re new to reels or want to speed up your content creation.
Instead of manually syncing your clips to music or guessing the timing of transitions, a template gives you a ready-made structure — including clip timing, audio, and transitions — so all you have to do is drop in your photos or videos.
1. Click on the bottom right corner to go to your profile
2. Go to the + icon on your profile
3. Select Reels
4. Click on Templates
5. Browse the various templates — recommended for you, trending, and more
6. Embed your video clips into these templates and, just like that, your Instagram Reel is ready
Pro tip: You can also find the option to “Use template” in some videos when you scroll on the Instagram Reel tab.
Not every current Instagram Reels trend is worth your time
Yes, trending reels can boost your reach and engagement, but only if they actually make sense for you. If a trend feels forced or totally off-brand, skip it. The goal isn’t to go viral at any cost — it’s to show up in ways that feel smart, authentic, and true to what you’re all about. Trends are tools, not a to-do list.
If you’re feeling stuck, ask yourself a simple question: Is this something I’d want to send to a friend?
According to Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, the platform values and pushes reels that people find worth sharing.
Happy creating!
With these trending reels in your arsenal, you’re all set to post with more confidence (and maybe even consistency). Jump on a sound, try out a template, or test a trend and make it work for you.
Hopefully, this list gives you some inspiration, and Buffer gives you the support to get started. With planning, scheduling, and analytics tools, Buffer can help take the admin out of staying consistent on Instagram, so you can focus on the fun stuff, like creating the most current Instagram Reels trends.
If you try out any of the trending reels we’ve shared, tag us @buffer on Instagram — we’d love to cheer you on and share your reels with our community.
More Instagram resources
FAQ on trending Instagram Reels
How long can a trending reel be?
At the time of writing this article, an Instagram Reel can be anywhere from 15 seconds to three minutes in length. Whatever the trend, we recommend using short clips, keeping them punchy and ready to stop the scroll.
How do I find trending reels on Instagram?
You can spot trending reels by scrolling the Reels tab or Explore page and watching for patterns like repeating audio, formats, or effects. If you see the little arrow next to the audio name, that means it’s trending. You can also use tools like the Professional Dashboard or Instagram’s Reels Trends feature (if available in your region) to get inspiration tailored to your niche.
Or, you can just bookmark this blog to have the latest trending reels on hand at all times. (10/10 recommend.)
How do I find trending songs on reels?
Look for the trending arrow icon when watching reels — that means the audio is gaining traction. Tap on the audio name to see how many others are using it. Instagram’s Reels Trends hub (found in your settings) and @creators account are also great sources for what’s hot right now. Here are 10 simple ways to find trending Instagram audio in 2025.
How do I add trending audio to Instagram Reels?
When you’re creating a reel, tap the music icon to search or browse for audio. If you’ve saved trending sounds earlier, you’ll find them in your Saved folder. Just tap to add the audio to your reel before recording or while editing.
How do I find trending reel templates?
Tap + to create a reel → Select Templates → Browse the Trending section for templates using popular formats or audio. You can also tap Use Template directly from reels you see in your feed.
How to know if your reel is trending?
There’s no official “Your reel is trending!” notification (sadly), but signs include a rapid spike in views, new followers, increased engagement, and a wider reach on the Explore or Reels feeds. Keep an eye on your Insights and Buffer analytics for performance trends.
What is trending on Instagram Reels right now?
Good news! We’ve listed the top trending reels, audios, and formats heating up Instagram this month. Scroll up for our curated roundup to save time and jump in while trends are hot. And be sure to bookmark this blog for future reference.
What music is trending on Instagram Reels?
Buffer’s got you covered with the latest audio trending on Instagram Reels. Here are 17 Trending Sounds on Instagram in 2025 (+ How to Use Them).
