How to Find Story Templates on Instagram (2025 Guide)

Guide map

• What Instagram templates are (Stories vs Reels)
• Quick ways to find story templates in the Instagram app
• Use the Template Browser (Reels) to find story-friendly layouts
• Best third‑party sources for Instagram Story templates
• Customize and size for Stories: design tips and specs
• Create story content with CapCut Video templates (pc)
• Conclusion
• FAQs

What Instagram templates are (Stories vs Reels)

Stories templates: quick, ephemeral, vertical 9:16 formats

Instagram story templates are pre-designed layouts optimized for quick publishing in the vertical 9:16 format. They differ from Reels templates by prioritizing speed, clarity, and overlay-friendly design (stickers, polls, links). Many users search how to find story templates on instagram to accelerate promo launches, behind‑the‑scenes updates, and interactive posts without starting from scratch.

Reels templates: preset timing synced to audio

Reels templates provide beat-matched clip slots with preset timing—ideal for rhythm‑driven edits. Because Reels and Stories share the 9:16 aspect ratio, many Reels layouts can be repurposed for Stories by trimming duration, simplifying text, and keeping key elements inside Story safe areas.

Quick ways to find story templates in the Instagram app

Create mode templates for Stories

STEP 1
1. Open Instagram > swipe to the Stories camera.
STEP 2
2. Switch to Create mode and browse available backgrounds, prompts, and templates.
STEP 3
3. Personalize with stickers, text, and GIFs, then save to reuse later.

This is the most direct answer for how to find story templates on instagram within the app.

Use Add Yours templates to join trends

• In a Story, tap the Add Yours sticker.
• Select Add Yours Templates to create or join template‑based threads.
• Great for this‑or‑that prompts, checklists, and participation chains that boost engagement.

Discover via hashtags and Explore

• Search #InstagramStoryTemplates, #StoryPrompts, #ReelsTemplates.
• Use Explore to find creators sharing reusable layouts.
• Save templates to your collection for quick reuse.

Use the Template Browser (Reels) to find story-friendly layouts

Access the Template Browser

• From Home > Create > REEL > open gallery > tap Templates.
• Or tap the Reels tab camera icon > Templates.
• Browse Recommended, Trending, and Saved templates—an efficient path for how to find story templates on instagram.

Save, adapt, and cross‑post

• Save templates you like and swap media with your clips.
• For Stories, shorten total length to keep attention, simplify captions, and position elements inside the safe area.
• Share to Story or download, then polish in a desktop editor if needed.

Best third‑party sources for Instagram Story templates

Canva, Adobe Express, Tailwind

• Browse ready‑made 9:16 story templates.
• Customize fonts, brand colors, imagery; export PNG/JPG or MP4.
• These sources complement in‑app discovery and speed up workflows.

What to check before using a template

• 9:16 size, readable fonts, strong contrast.
• Brand palette support and licensing clarity.
• Save locally for quick upload to Stories.

Additional resources for template inspiration and editing:
- Download Free CapCut Templates: Top Picks
- Video Intro Templates Guide
- CapCut + Envato: Guide to Video Editing and Templates
- Top Couple Video Templates for CapCut

Customize and size for Stories: design tips and specs

9:16 Instagram Stories and safe margins

• Use 1080×1920 px (9:16).
• Keep text inside the central safe area to avoid overlaps with UI (profile picture, username, CTA buttons). This ensures how to find story templates on instagram results fit Story constraints.

Text hierarchy, brand kit, accessibility

• Apply headline > subhead > body hierarchy.
• Use high‑contrast colors and legible font sizes.
• Add alt text in captions for accessibility; maintain brand kit consistency.
• Naturally deploy LSI terms such as Instagram story templates and Reels templates to broaden search relevance.

Export settings and file types

• MP4 for animated Stories; PNG/JPG for static.
• Optimize bitrates and compression to keep file sizes small for quick uploads.

Create story content with CapCut Video templates (pc)

Step 1: Launch CapCut

Open the desktop editor and click Create project to start a Story‑oriented timeline. Set the project aspect ratio to 9:16 so assets fit Instagram’s vertical frame. CapCut Desktop

Step 2: Apply a video template

Click Templates to browse categories like Intro, Outro, Vlog, Business, Lyrics. Choose a layout that suits Stories—short, clear text blocks, and vertical framing. Replace placeholders with your portrait videos or images, tighten transitions, and keep stickers/text in the central safe area.

Step 3: Export and share

Click Export to save; optionally Share to upload. For Stories, export in 1080×1920 (9:16) and verify key content isn’t cropped.

Conclusion

Wrap‑up and next steps

You’ve learned multiple routes for how to find story templates on instagram: Create mode, Add Yours templates, the Reels Template Browser, and reputable third‑party libraries. For polished visuals, refine layouts in CapCut Video templates (pc), export in 9:16, and publish confidently.

FAQs

Where do I find Instagram story templates quickly (Template browser)?

In Stories, use Create mode and Add Yours templates; in Reels, open the Template browser (Recommended/Trending/Saved). Later, refine in CapCut Video templates if deeper edits are needed.

What size should Instagram story templates be (9:16 Instagram Stories)?

Use 1080×1920 (9:16). Keep text inside safe margins to avoid UI overlap. Export 9:16 directly after editing your layout with CapCut Video templates.

How do I join trends with templates (Add Yours templates)?

Tap the Add Yours sticker to create/join template prompts. Save trending layouts, then personalize and optimize in CapCut Video templates before posting.

Can I repurpose Reels templates for Stories (Reels templates)?

Yes—most are 9:16. Shorten duration, simplify captions, and center text. If needed, adjust clips and export from CapCut Video templates for story‑ready posts.

What makes a template effective (Instagram story templates)?

Readable fonts, strong contrast, brand colors, and a clear CTA. Test engagement and iterate; CapCut Video templates help quickly swap media and styles.