How to Use Instagram's Multiple Captions Feature on Carousel Posts

Instagram

Jun 26

Instagram now lets you write a different caption for each slide in a carousel post. As of June 19, 2026, this feature, called Multiple Captions on Carousel posts, is rolling out globally. If you use carousels to share tutorials, product showcases, storytelling sequences, or educational content, this update changes how you can communicate with your audience on every single slide.

What Are Instagram Multiple Captions on Carousels?

Previously, a carousel post on Instagram had one caption that stayed fixed regardless of which slide a viewer was on. With the Multiple Captions feature, each slide in a carousel can now display its own unique caption, and that caption updates automatically as someone swipes through the post.

This means you can provide context, commentary, or calls to action that are specific to each image or video in your carousel, rather than writing one caption that has to do the work for all of them.

How to Enable Multiple Captions on an Instagram Carousel

The process fits into the same posting flow you already know. Here is how to set it up step by step.

Step 1: Create your carousel as usual.

Open the Instagram app and tap the plus icon to start a new post. Select at least two photos or videos, then tap Next.

Step 2: Move through the editing screens.

Go through your usual editing options, then tap Next again to reach the caption screen.

Step 3: Switch from single to multiple captions.

When you tap the caption field, you will see a dropdown that says "Single caption." Tap it and switch to "Multiple captions."

Step 4: Write individual captions for each slide.

Once enabled, you can swipe through each slide in your carousel and write a unique caption for each one. You do not need to add a caption to every slide. If a particular image speaks for itself, you can leave that slide's caption blank.

Step 5: Share your post.

Complete the rest of your settings and tap Share the same way you always do. Once the post is live, the caption beneath each image will automatically update to match the slide your follower is viewing as they swipe.

What You Need to Know Before You Post

A few things are worth understanding before you use this feature on your next carousel.

Your first slide's caption is still your main caption. When your post appears in someone's feed, in search results, or as a preview, only the first slide's caption is shown. Treat it the way you would treat any primary caption: use it to hook attention and provide context for the post as a whole.
Individual captions only appear during active swiping. If someone shares your carousel to their Stories or sends it via DM, only the first slide's caption carries over. The per-slide captions are visible only when a viewer is actively swiping through the carousel in their feed or on your profile.
You can always revert to a single caption. If you decide mid-creation that you would rather use one caption for the whole post, tap the same dropdown before you share and switch it back to "Single caption."
Carousels support up to 20 slides. Because carousels allow up to 20 images or videos, you can write up to 20 individual captions on a single post.

Why This Matters for Small Business Owners

For businesses using Instagram carousels to educate, sell, or build community, multiple captions remove a real constraint. Before this update, you had to write one caption broad enough to apply to every slide, or you had to pack all your slide-specific context into text overlays on the images themselves.

Now you can let each slide carry its own message. A product showcase can include pricing or details on the relevant slide. A how-to carousel can show the matching instruction beneath each step. A before-and-after series can include the specific context for each image without cluttering the main caption.

This makes carousels a stronger format for storytelling and information delivery, particularly for accounts that regularly teach or demonstrate something to their audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Instagram's Multiple Captions feature?

It is a carousel feature that lets you write a different caption for each slide in a post. The caption updates automatically as viewers swipe through.

When did Instagram launch Multiple Captions on Carousels?

Instagram began rolling out the feature on June 19, 2026. It is being released globally, so it may take a few days to appear in your app. Make sure your Instagram app is fully updated.

Do I have to write a caption for every slide?

No. You can leave some slides without a caption and only add text to the slides where it adds value.

What happens to per-slide captions when someone shares my carousel?

Only the first slide's caption carries over when a carousel is shared to Stories or sent in a DM. Individual captions are visible only during active in-feed or profile swiping.

Can I switch back to a single caption after enabling multiple captions?

Yes. Before you share the post, tap the caption dropdown and switch it back to "Single caption" at any time.

How many captions can a single carousel post have?

Because carousels support up to 20 images or videos, you can add up to 20 individual captions on one post.

Instagram's Multiple Captions feature gives carousel posts a level of specificity they have never had before. Each slide can now carry its own message, making carousels a more effective format for education, storytelling, and detailed product content. The first slide's caption still functions as the primary caption for previews and shares, so the fundamentals of writing a strong opening line have not changed. What has changed is that every slide that follows now has its own voice.