The right Instagram filter can turn a good picture into a great one.

Whether you’re an influencer, business owner, or casual user, filters are a great way to add a creative touch to your favorite photos. And if you’re trying to build a cohesive aesthetic that represents your brand, this feature can help you curate the perfect feed.

The best part is these presets allow you to edit Instagram photos in just a few clicks. Filters are easy to use and built into the app – you don’t have to learn complicated photo editing software to get a gorgeous picture.

While Instagram’s official photo filters are a tried-and-true collection of timeless overlays, users are also always adding new augmented reality (AR) filters within the app’s “effects” feature. But with so many options, finding the right overlay can be time-consuming. That’s where we come in. Read on to explore the ins and outs of Instagram filters and discover our top picks.

How to use filters on Instagram to edit posts

Instagram’s aesthetic filters each create a unique vibe for photos uploaded to your feed. They’re only available for posts – to alter Stories, you have to use effects (more on this below).

Here’s a step-by-step guide to using the app’s built-in filters on your next upload:

1. Open the Instagram app on your mobile device and log in to your account.
2. Tap the plus (+) sign at the upper right corner or bottom of the screen.
3. Double-check to make sure you’ve selected the “Post” option from the menu at the bottom of the screen. Take a photo or choose one from your phone’s gallery.
4. Once you’ve taken or selected an image, select “Next” in the upper right corner. You will be taken to a photo-editing screen.
5. In the bottom left corner, make sure you’ve selected the “Filter” menu. Browse through the app’s 24 options and choose a favorite. Double-tapping the filter will reveal a sliding scale that allows you to adjust the filter’s intensity. Once you’re happy with the result, tap the “Next” icon again.
6. Write a caption, add a location, tag other accounts, or add music to your post.
7. Tap the “Share” button at the top right of the screen and Instagram will upload the picture to your feed.

How to find filters in Instagram’s “effects” feature

So, how exactly do you edit the appearance of a Story, Reel, or Live video?

Beyond Instagram’s preset filters, creators can upload their own AR effects to the app. These are similar to regular filters, only they can be more detailed and animated, creating a dynamic impact on your uploads. They’re a diverse and creative library to choose from – you can use an effect to do just about anything, from adding makeup to your face to transforming your background into a sparkling landscape.

Here’s how to add effects to a Story, Reel, or Live video:

1. Open the Instagram app on your mobile device and log in to your account.
2. From the home page, swipe left to open the camera page. From the menu at the bottom of the screen, select “Story,” “Reel” or “Live,” depending on what you want to create.
3. Next to the shutter button (the white circle at the bottom center of the screen) is a horizontal list of effects. Swipe right to the end of the effects icons until you find a magnifying glass icon that says “Browse effects.” Tap it to open the effects menu.
4. All of the app’s AR effects are sorted into the following categories: Trending, Appearance, Aesthetic, Games, Humor, and Special Effects. Browse the effects until you find the right one. If you know the name of an effect, you can search for it by tapping the magnifying glass icon at the top right.
5. To save an effect for later use, click on the bookmark icon above the effects menu on the left. To view all saved effects, tap the bookmark icon next to the search icon.
6. Once you’ve chosen a filter, swipe down to hide the effects menu and take a picture or video for your Story, record your Reel, or go Live.

Although effects are most accessible for Stories, Reels, and Lives, a simple workaround allows you to apply your favorite Instagram Effects to posts. Here’s how to download effects and add them to your library:

1. From the effects menu, browse the options until you find one you’d like to use.
2. Click a photo with the effect applied.
3. Tap the three dots icon in the top right corner of the screen. From the drop-down menu, select “Save.” The photo is now downloaded to your device’s photo library.
4. Return to the Instagram home screen and upload the photo as a post.

What are the best Instagram filters for photos?

Going through each of Instagram’s in-app overlays can be tedious work, so we’ve done the heavy lifting by filtering (no pun intended) through the options. Here’s a list of the best filters for your posts:

• Clarendon: Clarendon has a cooling effect on a picture’s mid-tones and brightens light areas while adding depth to dark spots. Plus, it ups the photo’s saturation to create a more vibrant snapshot. Use this filter to add a bright yet professional look to your posts.
• Juno: Juno is a great filter to create a vivid look. It increases a picture’s contrast by enhancing both warmer and cooler colors equally. As a result, Juno turns the vibrancy up a notch across the entire spectrum and gives colors a real pop – that’s why we love it for food pictures!
• Valencia: Valencia is excellent at creating a toned-down aesthetic, similar to a Polaroid picture. It softens warm colors and gives images a smooth appearance, like a blending brush on a canvas. Use this filter for those sunny day pictures at the beach, but remember to watch that highlights aren’t too blown out.
• Lo-Fi: Lo-Fi accentuates dark shadows and increases saturation, enriching hues and giving your images a crisp vibrancy. The other filters on this list will serve you better for natural tones, but we recommend Lo-Fi if you want photos to pop and catch the viewer’s eye.
• Ludwig: If you love warm tones, look no further than Ludwig. This filter emphasizes a shot’s reds and oranges, making cooler colors less saturated. Ludwig is particularly useful for architectural photos, landscapes and street photography.

FAQs about Instagram filters

Still struggling to find the perfect face filter for your favorite selfie or nail the vibe of a vacation snapshot? We have you covered. Here are the answers to common questions.

How can I create my own filter?

Spark AR Studio is the most popular tool for creating Instagram filters. It allows users to design, export, and upload filters directly to the Instagram app. You can download it on a Mac or Windows device.

Can I add music and effects to my Instagram story?

Yes, you can choose songs from Instagram’s music collection after taking or uploading content for your Instagram Story. Select the “Sticker” button at the top of the screen and tap the “Music” sticker from the subsequent menu. From there, search for the song you want and add it to your Story.

How can I see the effects a creator has made?

Instagram adds creators’ names under the filter names in the “Browse Effects” menu. To view more effects from this creator (or anyone you follow), visit their profile and tap the “Effects” tab (the three sparkles) located between the “Posts” and “Tagged Photos” tabs.

Take your social media presence to the next level

Once you’ve mastered the art of Instagram effects and filters, it’s time to keep expanding your social media skills.

Linktree’s blog is an excellent education resource – and it’s free. We can teach you how to use creative Instagram locations, make trendy Reels, and get verified on the app.

And don’t forget about your Instagram bio – it’s the perfect place to introduce followers to the rest of your web presence. Adding a Linktree to your bio allows you to keep your socials connected. You can link out to other platforms like Twitter, TikTok, and a personal website, all in one spot.