TikTok's algorithm is famously powerful at surfacing content to interested viewers. But timing still matters. Posting when your target audience is active gives your video the initial engagement boost it needs to reach the For You page. Here's everything you need to know about the best times to post on TikTok in 2025.
Why Timing Matters on TikTok
TikTok's algorithm evaluates videos quickly. In the first 30-60 minutes after posting:
- Initial engagement signals: Likes, comments, shares, and watch time are measured
- For You page potential: Strong early performance leads to broader distribution
- Viral opportunity: Videos that resonate quickly get pushed to more users
- Follower notification: Your followers are notified and can engage immediately
Posting when users are active maximizes that critical early window.
Best Times to Post on TikTok: General Guidelines
Based on aggregated engagement data across millions of videos:
Overall Best Times (EST):
- Monday: 6 AM, 10 AM, 10 PM
- Tuesday: 2 AM, 4 AM, 9 AM
- Wednesday: 7 AM, 8 AM, 11 PM
- Thursday: 9 AM, 12 PM, 7 PM
- Friday: 5 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM
- Saturday: 11 AM, 7 PM, 8 PM
- Sunday: 7 AM, 8 AM, 4 PM
Best Days Overall: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
Peak Engagement Hours: 7 PM - 11 PM (across most days)
Best Times by Audience Type
Different audiences have different TikTok habits:
Gen Z (Ages 13-25)
- Best: 4-6 PM, 9 PM - 12 AM
- Peak Days: All week (heavy weekend usage)
- Why: After school/work, late-night scrolling
Millennials (Ages 26-41)
- Best: 7-9 AM, 12-1 PM, 8-10 PM
- Peak Days: Tuesday-Thursday
- Why: Morning commute, lunch break, evening wind-down
Parents
- Best: 8-10 PM (after kids' bedtime)
- Peak Days: Friday-Sunday
- Why: Limited daytime availability
Business/Professional
- Best: 6-8 AM, 12-1 PM
- Peak Days: Tuesday-Thursday
- Why: Before work, lunch browsing
Best Times by Content Niche
Your content category affects optimal posting times:
Entertainment & Comedy
- Best: 9-11 PM
- Why: Leisure scrolling, unwinding after work
Educational & How-To
- Best: 7 AM, 12 PM
- Why: Morning motivation, lunch learning
Beauty & Fashion
- Best: 11 AM - 1 PM, 7-9 PM
- Why: Getting ready times, evening inspiration
Fitness & Health
- Best: 6-8 AM, 5-7 PM
- Why: Pre and post-workout motivation
Food & Cooking
- Best: 11 AM - 1 PM, 5-7 PM
- Why: Meal planning times
Business & Finance
- Best: 7-9 AM, 6-8 PM
- Why: Morning productivity, post-work learning
Gaming
- Best: 3-5 PM, 9 PM - 12 AM
- Why: After school, late-night gaming sessions
Global Time Considerations
TikTok's audience is global. Consider your target market:
US-Based Audience
- National reach: 9-11 AM EST catches both coasts
- East Coast focus: 6-9 PM EST
- West Coast focus: 6-9 PM PST (9 PM - 12 AM EST)
UK & Europe
- Best: 6-9 PM GMT/CET
- Cross-Atlantic: 2-3 PM EST catches UK evening
Asia-Pacific
- Best: 7-10 PM local time
- Australia: 7-10 PM AEST
Global Accounts
- Strategy: Post multiple times daily for different regions
- Or: Focus on your primary geographic audience
How to Find Your Best Posting Times
General data is a starting point. Here's how to find YOUR optimal times:
Step 1: Access TikTok Analytics
1
Go to your profile → Menu → Creator Tools2
Tap Analytics3
Navigate to Followers → Follower Activity4
Review the heat map of active hours
Step 2: Experiment Systematically
- Post at different times for 2-4 weeks
- Keep content quality and type consistent
- Track views, likes, and comments
- Look for patterns in your top performers
Step 3: Consider Your Content
Ask yourself:
- When would someone want to watch this?
- Is it morning motivation or evening entertainment?
- Does it require sound (affects when people can watch)?
Step 4: Use Scheduling
With Fanbeam, you can:
- Schedule posts across different time slots
- Test multiple posting windows
- Analyze which times drive the most views
The "Avoid the Crowd" Strategy
Everyone posts at "peak times," creating competition. Consider:
1
Post 15-30 minutes before peaks2
Test off-peak times (early morning, late night)3
Find gaps in your niche's posting patterns
Sometimes posting at unusual times (like 5 AM) can help your video stand out with less competition.
Posting Frequency and Timing
On TikTok, frequency matters as much as timing:
Recommended Strategy:
- Post 1-4 times per day
- Space posts at least 3-4 hours apart
- Cover multiple peak windows
- Maintain consistency over perfection
Example Schedule:
- Morning post: 7 AM
- Midday post: 12 PM
- Evening post: 7 PM
- Late night post: 10 PM (optional)
Timing for Different Video Lengths
Video length affects optimal posting:
Short Videos (15-30 seconds)
- More flexible timing: Quick consumption works anytime
- Best: Peak scrolling hours (7-11 PM)
Medium Videos (1-3 minutes)
- Need attention spans: Post when users have time
- Best: Lunch breaks, evening leisure (12-1 PM, 7-9 PM)
Long Videos (3+ minutes)
- Require commitment: Target relaxed browsing times
- Best: Weekends, late evenings
Common TikTok Timing Mistakes
Posting Too Early After Filming
Wait at least a few minutes after filming to post. The algorithm may penalize rushed uploads.
Ignoring Your Analytics
Generic "best times" don't account for YOUR audience. Your analytics tell the real story.
Posting Randomly
Sporadic posting at random times confuses the algorithm. Consistency helps.
Not Adjusting for Trends
Trending sounds and challenges have their own timing. Jump on trends quickly, even if it's not your "optimal" time.
Scheduling TikTok Posts for Success
Fanbeam helps you post at the best times without being tied to your phone:
1
Create content in batches2
Check your TikTok Analytics for peak hours3
Schedule across multiple optimal windows4
Analyze results and refine your timing
Start Posting at Optimal Times
Ready to maximize your TikTok reach? Fanbeam lets you schedule TikTok videos to publish automatically at your best performing times.
Start your free trial and start posting at the perfect times today.