Creating Carousel Posts

Updated January 13, 2026

Carousel posts let you share multiple images in a single post that viewers can swipe through. Learn which platforms support carousels and how to create them in Viraly.


Platform Support

Not all platforms support carousel posts. Here’s what each platform allows:

PlatformSupportedMax ItemsMixed Media
InstagramYes10Photos + Videos
FacebookYes10Photos only
X (Twitter)Yes4Photos only
LinkedInYes20Photos only
PinterestYes5Photos only
ThreadsYes20Photos + Videos
BlueskyYes4Photos only
MastodonYes4Photos only
YouTubeNo
TikTokNo*

*TikTok Photo mode supports up to 35 images as a slideshow, but this is different from a traditional carousel.


Creating a carousel is automatic — simply upload multiple images:

  1. Open the post composer
  2. Select a platform that supports carousels
  3. Upload 2 or more images
  4. Viraly automatically creates a carousel post

There’s no special toggle or setting — the system detects multiple images and creates a carousel automatically.


Reordering Images

The order of images matters — the first image is your cover and appears in feeds. To change the order:

  1. Click and hold any image thumbnail
  2. Drag it to the desired position
  3. Release to drop it in place

The preview updates immediately to show your new order.


Mixed Media Carousels

Some platforms allow mixing photos and videos in the same carousel:

Instagram

Mix photos and videos up to 10 total items. Both must use compatible aspect ratios (3:4 to 1.91:1).

Threads

Mix photos and videos up to 20 total items.

Photos Only

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Bluesky, and Mastodon carousels support photos only — no video mixing.


Platform Requirements

File Size Limits

Each image in a carousel must meet the platform’s size limit. See Adding Images for specific limits per platform.

Aspect Ratios

Some platforms have aspect ratio requirements:

  • Instagram: All items should use similar aspect ratios (3:4 to 1.91:1)
  • Pinterest: All images must have the same aspect ratio
  • Other platforms: No strict matching required

Use the image editor to crop images to matching ratios when needed.


Frequently Asked Questions

Why isn’t my carousel working?

Check that you’ve uploaded at least 2 images and selected a platform that supports carousels. Single images create regular posts, not carousels.

Can I add captions to individual images?

Viraly uses a single caption for the entire carousel. Individual image captions aren’t supported. You can reference images by number in your caption (e.g., “Swipe to image 3 for…”).

What happens if I upload too many images?

You’ll see a validation error if you exceed the platform’s limit. Remove images until you’re within the limit (e.g., 10 for Instagram, 4 for Twitter).

Can I post a carousel to multiple platforms at once?

Yes, if all selected platforms support carousels. Each platform will create its own carousel with the same images. Platforms that don’t support carousels will post only the first image.

How do I see the carousel preview?

The preview panel shows carousel indicators (dots) for platforms like Instagram. For multi-image layouts (Facebook, Twitter), the preview shows the grid arrangement.