How to add lyrics to an Instagram Story or Reel
Instagram can show the lyrics of a song on a Story or a Reel, but only for songs in its music library that have lyrics, and they are tied to the song playing. Here is how to add them in each format, according to Instagram's own guide (checked 17 October 2026), and what to do when your song shows no lyrics.
Two ways to show lyrics
| Instagram's lyrics (music sticker) | Lyrics in the video | |
|---|---|---|
| Which songs | Songs in Instagram's music library that have lyrics | Any song, also unreleased or not on Instagram |
| Sound | The song from the library | The audio in your video |
| Look | Instagram's styles and fonts | Your font, colors and position |
| Works on | Stories and Reels made in the app | Reels, Stories, TikTok, Shorts and WhatsApp |
If you are an artist promoting your own song, check first whether it is in the library: how to upload your own song to Instagram explains how your distributor sends it and why it can take a few days to show up.
Lyrics on a Story
According to Instagram's guide to Stories (checked 17 October 2026):
- Take or upload a photo or video and open the sticker tray.
- Tap Music and search for the song, or browse trending tracks.
- Drag the highlighted lyrics to the moment of the song you want to share.
- Tap the vinyl design to choose a style: sticker, lyrics only or full cover.
- Move the sticker where you want it and post.
The lyrics-only style is the one that looks most like a lyric video: just the words on screen over your photo or video. If you want to share the lyric card from Spotify instead, the steps are in the lyrics from Spotify in a Story; that card has no sound, so add the music sticker on top.
Lyrics on a Reel
Since November 2023 Instagram lets everyone show a song's lyrics on a Reel, as Social Media Today reported when it rolled out:
- While editing the Reel, add a song from the music library.
- Open its lyrics option: the lyrics appear as text on screen.
- Pick the font and highlight the section you want, then place it where the buttons and caption don't cover it.
The lyrics follow the clip of the song you chose, so pick the hook: the line that people will want to sing. More ideas on what to post are in how to promote your music on Instagram.
When your song has no lyrics
The lyrics option does not appear when the song is not in Instagram's library yet, has no lyrics there, or when you use your own audio (a live take, a demo, the music video). Then the way is to put the lyrics in the video before you upload it:
- Upload the video or the audio to TONTRIA Clips, or paste a YouTube link.
- Ask Milo for the lyrics: he listens to the singing and syncs every word.
- Check the words, pick the font and the karaoke or full-line style.
- Export in 9:16 — the lyrics sit in the safe zone — and post it as a Reel or a Story. Sizes for each app are in video sizes for Reels, TikTok and Shorts.
The same file works on TikTok, Shorts and your WhatsApp status, and it reads well with the sound off. Only use songs you own or have the rights to.