How to Write on Instagram Stories: Text Story Post Guide

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Write, respond to, and caption your Instagram stories

Co-authored by Jaclyn Nasland and Rain Kengly

Last Updated: March 4, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Adding Text to a Story
|
• Replying to a Story
|
• Captioning a Post
|
• Video

|Show more |Show less

Want to add a message to your Instagram stories or posts? This can be done using Instagram's built-in text tool, draw tool, or sticker tool. Here's how to write on Instagram stories using your iPhone, iPad, or Android phone or tablet.

Adding Text to Instagram Stories: Quick Steps

1. Tap + Your story to start a new story.
2. Select a photo or video.
3. Tap the Aa icon to add text.
4. Select the size, color, style, and more.
5. Tap Done, and then select Your story to upload it.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Adding Text to a Story

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1. 
   1
   Tap the + at the top. If you aren't already logged into your Instagram account, enter your email address or username and password to do so now.

   • You'll see the + at the top of your Home feed, above Your story. You can also tap the + New Post icon at the bottom of the screen and select Story to upload a new Story.
2. 
   2
   Take a photo or video or upload one from your camera roll. To take a photo or video, tap the camera icon.

   • If you want to select more than one photo or video, select the overlapping rectangles near the top of the gallery.
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3. 
   3
   Tap Aa in the top-right corner to add text to your Story. Typed text is the easiest to read and could help boost your Story in Instagram's algorithm.

   • Select Aa from the menu below the editor. Scroll left or right on the fonts to swap between styles. You can choose one of the following: Modern, Classic, Signature, Editor, Poster, Bubble, Deco, Squeeze, Typewriter, Strong, Meme, Elegant, Directional, or Literature.
   • Tap the colored circle to see the color options for your text. Swipe left or right on the default colors and tap one to pick one. If you want to choose your own color using the uploaded photo, tap the eyedropper icon and drag it over the color you want.
   • Tap the slanted A icon to select a movement. This has two slanted lines on the left of the A. Selecting a movement will apply it to the text. You can select: Typewriter, Pop, or Jump.
   • Tap the A with a solid and dotted outline to add an effect to your text. You can select: Sparkle, Neon, Shimmer, or Pixel.
   • Tap the three horizontal lines to change your text alignment. You can pick: right, center, or left alignment.
   • Tap the A inside a box to change the text's background. You can choose a black, white, or transparent background.
   • Tap Done in the top-right corner to save any edits you make.
4. 
   4
   Tap ••• and select Draw. This tool allows you to draw onto the photo using your finger.

   • Select a tool from the top to change how the lines appear. You can select a pencil, arrow, highlighter, glowstick, or eraser to delete any mistakes.
   • Drag the slider on the left side of the screen to make the pen larger or smaller.
   • Select a color from the bottom to change the pen's color. If you want to choose your own color using the uploaded photo, tap the eyedropper icon and drag it over the color you want.
   • Tap Done in the top-right corner to save any edits you make.
5. 
   5
   Tap the folded smiley icon to choose a sticker. This will pull up the menu for adding a Sticker to your Story.

   • You can select a variety of stickers for your story, including location tags and poll questions. Fill in any information if prompted.
   • Some stickers, like polls, are customizable. Simply tap on the text in the poll to change it.
   • Tap, hold, and drag a sticker to your desired placement.
   • Pinch out on a sticker to make it bigger, or pinch in on a sticker to make it smaller.
6. 
   6
   Tap Your story to upload your new post. Alternatively, you can tap the arrow and select Close Friends, or Message to send your post via Direct Message.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Sending a Response to an Instagram Story

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1. 
   1
   Tap the Home tab. You'll see this at the bottom of your screen.
2. 
   2
   Select the story you want to reply to. All stories posted by users you follow will appear in your feed with display icons. Tap one to view a story.
3. 
   3
   Tap Send Message. This appears at the bottom of the story and will open a pop-up menu with a blank field where you can enter your message.
4. 
   4
   Write your message. Make sure that your message is appropriate and well-worded before sending.
5. 
   5
   Tap the Send arrow.. Your message will be sent to the user who posted the story you viewed.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Adding a Caption to a Post

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1. 
   1
   Tap + and select Post. You'll see the + at the bottom of the screen. This will start a new post draft.
2. 
   2
   Select a photo or video to upload and tap Next. You can either upload a photo/video from your phone or take a new photo/video to upload.

   • If you want to select more than one photo or video, select the overlapping rectangles near the top of the gallery.
   • To take a new photo or video, tap the camera icon in the gallery.
   • You can add effects if necessary. When you're finished, tap Next again.
3. 
   3
   Tap Write a caption…. You'll see this below your photo or video.
4. 
   4
   Type in a caption for your photo/video. Make sure it adheres to Instagram's guidelines.
5. 
   5
   Tap OK, and then Share. This will save the caption on your photo/video when you share it on your feed.
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