Carousel post
Also called Instagram carousel, LinkedIn carousel, swipe post, document post
What is a carousel post?
A carousel post is a single social media post that contains several images or videos people swipe through, one slide at a time. Instagram allows up to 20 slides per carousel. On LinkedIn, carousels are often uploaded as a PDF document post. Carousels suit content with steps, lists, comparisons, before-and-after stories and product ranges.
Instagram carousels can be square (1:1) or portrait (4:5), and every slide in one post uses the same shape. A LinkedIn carousel is usually a PDF where each page is a slide, displayed as a swipeable document. TikTok also offers photo carousels with music.
A good carousel works like a short story: the first slide is the hook that earns the swipe, the middle slides deliver one point each, and the last slide gives the call to action.
Why a carousel post matters
Carousels hold attention longer than a single image, and their swipeable, useful format makes them popular to save and share. Instagram may also show a carousel again with a later slide to people who did not swipe the first time.
They are also an efficient way to teach. A tip list, a short guide or a set of products fits naturally into slides, which makes carousels a strong format for content pillars like education and proof.
How to make a carousel post
- Pick one idea that breaks into steps or points.
- Write a first slide that promises a clear payoff, such as 5 mistakes new runners make.
- Give each middle slide one point, with large readable text.
- Keep the same fonts, colors and layout across slides so it reads as one piece.
- End with a slide asking people to save, share or visit your link.
- Export as images for Instagram and as a PDF for LinkedIn.
Carousel post FAQ
How many slides can an Instagram carousel have?
Up to 20 photos or videos per post, after Instagram raised the limit from 10. Most carousels work well with 5 to 10 slides.
What size should carousel slides be?
1080 by 1080 pixels for square or 1080 by 1350 for portrait. Portrait takes up more screen space in the feed. All slides in one post share the same shape.
How do I post a carousel on LinkedIn?
Export your slides as a PDF and upload it as a document post. LinkedIn shows each page as a swipeable slide.
Related terms
The Instagram post size is 1080 px wide, at 1080×1080 (square), 1080×1350 (portrait 4:5) or 1080×1440 (3:4); portrait fills the most screen.
A hook is the opening line, image or moment of a video or post that grabs attention and makes people keep watching instead of scrolling past.
Content pillars are the three to five core topics a brand posts about again and again, giving its content a clear focus and variety.
A call to action (CTA) tells people exactly what to do next, such as Shop now, Book a class or Save this post. It turns attention into action.
The Instagram grid is the layout of post thumbnails on your profile. A consistent grid helps visitors understand your brand at a glance.
Engagement is how people interact with a post: likes, comments, shares, saves, replies and clicks. It shows content is landing, not just being seen.