Best Times to Post on TikTok in 2025: Data-Backed Guide

Timing matters on TikTok. Post when your audience is asleep, and even great content struggles to gain traction. Post when they're actively scrolling, and the algorithm has more opportunities to push your video.

But what are the best times to post? Let's break down the data.

Why Posting Time Matters

TikTok's algorithm evaluates videos based on early engagement. In the first 30-60 minutes after posting, the algorithm watches how your video performs. Strong early metrics (watch time, likes, comments, shares) signal that your content deserves a wider audience.

If you post when your target audience isn't online, you miss that crucial early engagement window. The algorithm sees weak initial performance and may limit your video's reach.

Best Times to Post on TikTok (General)

Based on aggregate data across millions of videos, here are the best general posting times (in your local timezone):

Weekday Peak Times

Weekend Peak Times

Why These Times?

The patterns reflect typical user behavior:

• Early morning (6-9 AM): People check TikTok when they wake up
• Midday (12-2 PM): Lunch break scrolling
• Evening (7-11 PM): Wind-down time before bed

Best Times by Content Niche

Different audiences have different habits. Here's what works for specific niches:

Business & Entrepreneurship

• Best times: 7 AM, 12 PM, 6 PM (weekdays)
• Why: Professionals check during commute, lunch, and after work
• Avoid: Late nights and weekend mornings

Fitness & Health

• Best times: 6 AM, 7 AM, 6 PM
• Why: People seek motivation before/after workouts
• Peak days: Monday and Tuesday (New week motivation)

Beauty & Fashion

• Best times: 12 PM, 3 PM, 7 PM
• Why: Lunch break inspiration and evening "get ready" content
• Peak days: Thursday through Saturday

Food & Cooking

• Best times: 11 AM, 5 PM, 8 PM
• Why: Meal planning times—before lunch, dinner prep, late-night cravings
• Peak days: Sunday (meal prep) and Friday (weekend cooking)

Entertainment & Comedy

• Best times: 8 PM, 9 PM, 10 PM
• Why: Peak relaxation and leisure scrolling
• Peak days: Friday and Saturday

Education & How-To

• Best times: 9 AM, 1 PM, 8 PM
• Why: Learning mindset times—morning motivation, lunch learning, evening study
• Peak days: Tuesday and Wednesday

Parenting

• Best times: 8 AM, 12 PM, 8 PM
• Why: After school drop-off, naptime, after kids' bedtime
• Peak days: Weekday mornings

Finding Your Optimal Posting Time

General data is helpful, but your specific audience may have unique patterns. Here's how to find your optimal times:

Step 1: Check Your TikTok Analytics

If you have a Pro account (free to switch):

1. Go to your profile
2. Tap the three lines (menu)
3. Select "Creator tools" → "Analytics"
4. Look at "Followers" → "Follower activity"

This shows when YOUR followers are most active—far more valuable than general data.

Step 2: Test Different Time Slots

Run a systematic test:

1. Post similar quality content at different times
2. Track performance over 2-3 weeks
3. Compare average views, likes, and completion rates
4. Identify patterns in your top-performing times

Step 3: Consider Your Audience's Timezone

If your audience is international, you may need to optimize for multiple timezones. Check your Analytics for follower locations and adjust accordingly.

Step 4: Account for Content Type

Different content types perform differently at different times:

• High-energy content: Better in morning/evening peak times
• Relaxing content: Better late night
• Educational content: Better in morning and midday

Posting Frequency: How Often to Post

Timing isn't just about when—it's also about how often.

The Minimum Effective Dose

Post at least 3-4 times per week to stay visible to the algorithm. Less than this, and TikTok may deprioritize your account.

The Sweet Spot

Most successful creators post 1-2 times per day. This provides:

• Consistent presence in followers' feeds
• More data to understand what works
• Higher chances of hitting a viral video

The Maximum

Posting more than 3-4 times per day can lead to:

• Content fatigue from your audience
• Quality decline from rushing
• Videos competing with each other

Quality Over Quantity

One great video beats three mediocre ones. If you can only produce quality content 3x per week, that's better than daily low-effort posts.

Time Zone Strategies

For US-Based Audiences

Target Eastern Time (ET) as your baseline—it covers the largest population. If you're in a different timezone, convert accordingly.

Eastern Time Peak Hours:

• 7 AM ET
• 12 PM ET
• 7 PM ET
• 10 PM ET

For Global Audiences

If your analytics show followers across multiple regions:

Option 1: Focus on your largest audience segment

Option 2: Post twice daily—once for Americas, once for Europe/Asia

Option 3: Test which timezone drives the most engagement and optimize for that

For Non-US Audiences

Apply the same principles to your local timezone. Morning commute, lunch break, and evening leisure are universal patterns across cultures.

Common Posting Time Mistakes

Mistake 1: Posting at the Same Time Every Day

While consistency helps, posting at identical times means you only ever reach people online at that specific time. Vary your posting times to reach different audience segments.

Mistake 2: Chasing "Best Times" Without Testing

Generic best times are starting points, not rules. Your audience is unique. Always validate with your own data.

Mistake 3: Ignoring Algorithm Lag

TikTok doesn't show your video to everyone immediately. Initial push happens in the first hour, but videos can continue gaining traction for days. Don't judge too quickly.

Mistake 4: Posting During Major Events

Avoid posting during major sporting events, breaking news, or holidays when attention is elsewhere. Your video will compete with much higher noise.

Mistake 5: Being Inconsistent

Posting at random times and frequencies confuses the algorithm. It doesn't know when to expect content from you or who to show it to.

Creating a Posting Schedule

Here's how to build an effective schedule:

Step 1: Audit Your Analytics

Look at your top 10 performing videos. What times were they posted? Find patterns.

Step 2: Choose Your Slots

Based on data, select 2-3 optimal posting times per day.

Step 3: Plan Content Themes

Assign content types to time slots:

• Morning: Educational/motivational
• Afternoon: Behind-the-scenes/casual
• Evening: Entertainment/storytelling

Step 4: Batch Create

Film multiple videos in one session, then schedule them throughout the week. This ensures consistency without daily pressure.

Step 5: Review and Adjust

Every 2 weeks, review your analytics. Are certain times consistently outperforming? Double down on what works.

Using TikTok's Scheduling Feature

TikTok now offers native scheduling:

1. Create your video
2. On the posting screen, tap "More options"
3. Toggle on "Schedule video"
4. Select your date and time
5. Post

This allows you to batch content and post at optimal times even when you're busy.

The Real Secret to Timing

Here's the truth: timing matters, but it's not magic.

A great video posted at a "bad" time will still outperform a mediocre video posted at the "perfect" time. Timing is optimization on top of quality—it can't replace quality.

Focus first on creating compelling content. Then use timing to maximize its potential.

Your Action Plan

1. Today: Switch to a Pro account if you haven't already
2. This week: Check your Analytics for follower activity times
3. Next week: Test posting at 3 different times
4. Month 1: Analyze results and establish your optimal schedule
5. Ongoing: Review and adjust quarterly

Ready to Optimize Your TikTok Strategy?

Posting at the right times is just one piece of the puzzle. Want to create content that performs no matter when you post? Our AI tools help you generate viral ideas and hooks tailored to your niche. Start free today.