311 Instagram caption ideas [plus free caption generator]

An Instagram caption is the text that appears along with an Instagram photo or video.

It’s a word (or emoji) based opportunity to elevate your content, provide context, share information, or joke around. It can be up to 2,200 characters. That’s a lot of room for words, but experts generally recommend not writing essay-length captions: the best ones communicate effectively and efficiently. 150-ish characters is a good benchmark.

Instagram captions can be SEO-optimized and help your ranking in Instagram’s algorithm—in other words, captions are one of the elements the platform analyzes to determine what your content is about and who should see it.

Essentially, captions are a tool for sharing your brand with your audience, and taking your content up a notch.

Keep scrolling for a free caption generator to do your brainstorming for you, plus 311 caption ideas for your upcoming content.

Additionally, we tapped Angela Vannatter, Social Media Manager of Vancouver’s Earnest Ice Cream, for her best practices on caption-writing to make Instagram marketing a breeze.

AI-powered caption generator

We can do this the easy way, or—nah, let’s just do it the easy way.

Hootsuite’s free Instagram caption generator is powered by AI and will write original, optimized captions for you in a snap.

Free Instagram caption generator

Please note: This tool may display inaccurate or offensive material that doesn’t represent Hootsuite’s views. You’re solely responsible for use of any content generated using this tool, including its compliance with applicable laws and third party rights.

You can also use Hootsuite’s built-in Owlywriter AI tool to help you come up with awesome captions.

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311 best Instagram captions you should try

If you need more IG caption inspiration—specifically, hundreds of examples ready for copying and pasting—scroll on.

Short Instagram captions

Short is smart when it comes to the perfect Instagram caption.

Short captions won’t get cut off, meaning the entire caption is readable to Instagram users without them taking that extra step to see more. Plus, they have a carefree vibe.

1. Bucket list
2. But first, coffee
3. Coming soon
4. Days like these
5. Dream big
6. Go big or go home
7. Good vibes only
8. Like a boss
9. Limited edition
10. Nailed it
11. New look
12. Small pleasures
13. This just happened
14. Times like this
15. Weekend vibes
16. Wild and free
17. Work hard, play hard

Source: @​​ilonamaher

One word Instagram captions

Short, meet shorter. Say a lot with a single word with these caption ideas.

1. Amazing
2. Attitude
3. Awesome
4. Awkward
5. Balance
6. Blessed
7. Bliss
8. Boom
9. Brilliant
10. Classic
11. Dreamer
12. Epic
13. Escape
14. Explore
15. Extra
16. Fabulous
17. Fearless
18. Feels
19. Fierce
20. Fire
21. Flawless
22. Focus
23. Friyay
24. Goals
25. Grateful
26. Hangry
27. Hustle
28. Jealous?
29. Legendary
30. LOL
31. Magic
32. Mood
33. Obsessed
34. Original
35. Perfect
36. Progress
37. Random
38. Ready
39. Saturdaze
40. Sisterhood
41. Sparkle
42. Speechless
43. Surprise
44. Tasty
45. Thankful
46. Throwback
47. TGIF
48. Unforgettable
49. Vibes
50. Whatever
51. XOXO
52. Yesterday

Source: @reneerap

Long Instagram captions

Long Instagram captions are more effective when they’re more personal. You’ll want a hook to pull users in.

Quotes are helpful for longer captions, too (if you can’t think of your own words, use someone else’s!)

1. “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” – Charles M. Schulz
2. “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” –Maya Angelou
3. “If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.” – Dolly Parton
4. “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” – John Lennon
5. “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” – Babe Ruth
6. “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I’m possible!” – Audrey Hepburn

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Funny Instagram captions

Humour rules on the ‘gram—laughs get likes, so let your silly side show.

1. Cake is the answer, no matter the question
2. Get a girl that can do both
3. I’m fluent in sarcasm
4. If you don’t have anything nice to say, just post on Instagram
5. In my defence, I was left unsupervised
6. Laughing on the inside
7. Look at this photograph
8. Ready to be perceived
9. The Duolingo owl made me post this
10. You’re welcome

Source: @chappellroan

Cute Instagram captions

You want adorable? We got you.

1. Cutesy, mindful, demure
2. Feeling cuddly
3. Just me
4. Let’s taco ‘bout it!
5. Oopsie
6. Peekaboo
7. Picture perfect
8. Short and sweet
9. Who me?
10. Why hello there

Source: @nala_cat

Birthday Instagram captions

Another year older, and several Instagram captions wiser—here’s our gift to you.

1. All about that cake
2. Another trip around the sun
3. Birthday blues
4. Cake day
5. Candles just want to get lit
6. Fire hazard
7. Happy birthday to me
8. It is your brithday
9. It’s been a slice
10. My birthday week
11. Older and bolder
12. One year wiser
13. (S)he’s a jolly good fellow
14. Too many candles

Source: @tikatheiggy

Spring Instagram captions

You don’t need an excuse to post on Instagram, but the first signs of spring are cause for celebration (and worthy of a sunshine-y caption).

1. April showers bring May flowers
2. Coming out of hibernation
3. In like a lion, out like a lamb
4. It’s gonna be May
5. May the fourth be with you
6. Peony szn
7. Rain, rain, go away
8. Raindrops on roses
9. Spring blooms
10. Spring cleaning
11. Spring fever
12. Spring forward
13. Spring has sprung
14. Spring is in the air
15. Sun’s out, buns out
16. Wake up, the sun’s out

Source: @celsiafloral

Summer Instagram captions

The best season, in my opinion, with the best lighting for photos and videos—here’s how to caption them.

1. Bluebird days
2. Clear skies
3. Dog days of summer
4. Feelin’ hot hot hot
5. Girls just wanna have sun
6. Good day sunshine
7. Heat wave
8. Here comes the sun
9. Hot girl summer
10. My place in the sun
11. Nothing but blue skies
12. Patio season
13. Soak up the sun
14. Summer daze
15. Summer lovin’
16. Summer nights
17. Summer vibes
18. Summertime
19. Sunshine is the best medicine
20. The livin’ is easy

Source: @burdockandco

Fall Instagram captions

If loving fall is basic, well… I guess we all are. Here are some autumnal captions for your Instagram.

1. After the rain
2. Autumn leaves
3. Back to school
4. Cozy season
5. Cuddle weather
6. Fall back
7. Fall for fall
8. Gray days
9. Leaf peeping
10. November rain
11. Pumpkin spice season
12. Storm watching
13. Sweater weather
14. Turkey time
15. Under my umbrella

Source: @honolulucoffeeyvr

Winter Instagram captions

1. Baby, it’s cold outside
2. Cold as ice
3. Deck the halls
4. Feeling flaky
5. Jingle bells
6. Keep calm and winter on
7. Let it snow
8. Season’s greetings
9. Snow problem
10. The weather outside is frightful
11. Winter is coming

Source: @beaucoupbakery

Selfie captions for Instagram

Selfies are always a little awkward, but a good caption takes the cringe away.

1. Beast mode
2. But first, let me take selfie
3. I’m kind of a big deal
4. I’m the problem, it’s me
5. In case you forgot what I look like
6. Living my best life
7. Me, myself and I
8. Messy hair don’t care
9. Ready for my close-up
10. Some days are better than others
11. Swipe right
12. Woke up like this
13. Work it
14. Worth it
15. Yours truly

Source: @tatemcrae

Best friend Instagram captions

Once you’ve both agreed on the photo that gets your best angles, of course.

1. Bestie behaviour
2. BFFs
3. Dynamic duo
4. Golden retriever black cat
5. My person
6. Partner in crime
7. Perfect pairing
8. Ride or die
9. Soul sister

Source: @vancityreynolds

Couple Instagram captions

Soft launch or hard, these captions say locked-in.

1. Always on your team
2. Couple goals
3. Endless love
4. Everything I do, I do it for you
5. Just the two of us
6. Love you to the moon and back
7. Me and you
8. My other half
9. P.S. I love you
10. Partners in time
11. Perfect match
12. Tale as old as time
13. The best bad influence
14. You make my heart sing
15. You’re my lobster

Source: @ptanuvasa

Wedding Instagram captions

Probably the hardest thing you’ll have to write besides your vows.

1. And they lived happily ever after
2. For better or worse
3. Hard launch
4. I do
5. It’s official
6. Just married
7. Locked in for life
8. Mr. and Mrs. [or Mr. and Mr. or Mrs. and Mrs.]
9. Put a ring on it
10. Tied the knot

Source: @gardenpartyflowers

Prom captions for Instagram

Here are some ideas worthy of prom queen status.

1. A night to remember
2. All dressed up
3. Dance the night away
4. Glam squad
5. I’ve got the shoes, I’ve got the dress
6. Last dance
7. Last hurrah
8. Let’s dance
9. Prom dot com
10. Suited up
11. We clean up nice

Source: @vj_couture

Vacation Instagram captions

Make sure you unplug during your time away–except to post some well-caption content, of course.

1. Caught the travel bug
2. Chillin out, maxin, relaxin, all cool
3. Elsewhere
4. Exploring
5. Out of office
6. Relaxing until further notice
7. Tripping out
8. Vacay mode
9. Wanderlust
10. [Wherever you left] [Wherever you are]
11. Your email did not find me

Source: @oliviarodrigo

New York Instagram captions

Captions fit for big city living.

1. Among the skyscrapers
2. Busy city
3. City slicker
4. Concrete jungle
5. Empire state of mind
6. Give my regards to Broadway
7. I NY
8. Start spreading the news
9. The big apple
10. The city never sleeps, but I do

Source: @annacathcart

Beach captions for Instagram

There’s nothing chiller than a photo of a beach: give your caption that same sunny vibe.

1. All the best drinks come with umbrellas
2. Beaching
3. Beachy keen
4. Catch a wave
5. Happy place
6. Hot dogs or legs
7. Life’s a beach
8. Ocean eyes
9. Resting beach face
10. Sail away
11. She sells sea shells
12. Sun, sand, sea
13. Surf’s up
14. Toes in the sand
15. Vacation mode
16. Vitamin sea

Source: @bretmanrock

Sunset Instagram captions

Getting that perfect sunset shot is half the battle. Now, it’s time to give it a glowy caption.

1. Enjoying the view
2. Fade out
3. Glow on
4. Golden hour
5. Looking up
6. Nothing gold can stay
7. See you tomorrow
8. Soaking up the sunset
9. You’re so golden

Source: @oliveandbeanphoto

Nature captions for Instagram

For people who hike or people who pretend to like hiking.

1. Are we out of the woods yet
2. Fresh air
3. Get out
4. It’s the climb
5. Natural instincts
6. Nature lover
7. Summit kind of wonderful
8. Touching grass
9. Tree hugger

Source: @patagonia

Instagram captions with emojis

An emoji says a thousand words (which is ideal when characters are limited).

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