You’ve put in the time brainstorming, filming, and editing, and now you’re ready to upload your TikTok video. But before you can hit “Post,” a thought crosses your mind: “Is this the best time to post on TikTok?” Maybe if you hold off and post your video later, more people will see it. But you’re not sure exactly when the best time would be. Is it in the morning, at lunch time, or in the evening? Maybe you should even wait until the weekend… Well, the answer is not as straightforward as you might think.
In this article, we guide you through the best times to post on TikTok, and help you figure out the optimal time to post for your specific audience.
When is the best time to post on TikTok?
While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, there are some best practices you can follow.
Every TikTok user has their own daily schedule (work, errands, gym, hobbies, etc.) and preferences. Some users might open the app as soon as they wake up, around 6 or 7 a.m., while others might wait until their lunch break around noon. Other users might spend more time on the app in the evenings, after work or after dinner, and might devote the most screen time to TikTok during weekends, when they’re able to really unwind and enjoy.
And that’s not even getting into the whole time zone debacle! TikTok has a huge global audience, with users based in virtually every time zone across the globe. That means, while users in America and Europe are sound asleep, TikTokers in Australia and Asia might be up and on the app.
- Best times to post on TikTok (U.S.)
- Best times to post on TikTok (Other regions)
- Does it matter when you post on TikTok?
Best times to post on TikTok (U.S.)
This is when you should be posting on TikTok in the U.S., based on an analysis of 100,000 TikTok posts by Influencer Marketing Hub.
- Monday: 12 p.m. or 4 p.m.
- Tuesday: 4 a.m., 8 a.m., 10 a.m, or 3 p.m.
- Wednesday: 1 p.m. or 2 p.m.
- Thursday: 5 a.m, 3 p.m., or 6 p.m.
- Friday: 1 a.m., 11 a.m., 7 p.m., or 9 p.m.
- Saturday: 5 p.m.
- Sunday: 1 a.m., 2 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 10 p.m.
Best times to post on TikTok (Other regions)
Everyday, millions of TikTokers use the app from all corners of the world. That means that at every moment, there are thousands — if not millions — of users viewing TikTok videos in real time. Essentially, that means every second of every day is an opportunity to get new eyes on your content.
That’s a lot of potential posting times! Luckily, SocialPilot has narrowed down the best times to post on TikTok in a number of key countries and time zones around the world outside the U.S.
Best times to post on TikTok in Australia
- Monday: 6 a.m., 10 a.m, 10 p.m.
- Tuesday: 2 a.m., 4 a.m., or 9 a.m.
- Wednesday: 7 a.m., 9 a.m., or 11 a.m
- Thursday: 9 a.m., 12 p.m., or 7 p.m
- Friday: 5 a.m., 1 p.m., or 3 p.m
- Saturday: 11 a.m., 7 p.m., or 8 p.m
- Sunday: 7 a.m., 9 a.m., or 4 p.m
Best times to post on TikTok in the Philippines (in PHT)
- Monday: 3:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., or 7:30 a.m
- Tuesday: 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., or 6:30 p.m
- Wednesday: 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., or 8:30 a.m
- Thursday: 6:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m., or 4:30 a.m
- Friday: 2:30 p.m., 10:30 p.m., or 12:30 a.m
- Saturday: 8:30 p.m., 4:30 a.m., or 5:30 a.m
- Sunday: 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., or 1:30 a.m
Best times to post on TikTok in Germany (in CET)
- Monday: 6 a.m., 10 a.m., 10 p.m.
- Tuesday: 2 a.m., 4 a.m., 9 a.m.
- Wednesday: 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 11 a.m.
- Thursday: 9 a.m., 12 p.m., 7 p.m.
- Friday: 5 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m.
- Saturday: 11 a.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m.
- Sunday: 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 4 p.m.
Does it matter when you post on TikTok?
The short answer is, yes! If you’re looking to maximize your engagement, then the time of day — or the day of week — you choose to post on TikTok certainly matters.
To put it simply, posting on TikTok at the right time will help maximize the number of people who will see your post before it gets washed away in the app’s endless churn of content. If you’re posting while most TikTok users are offline or, more importantly, when your target audience isn’t using the app, then your post will likely get fewer views.
Naturally, the more eyes you have on a TikTok video, the higher the chances it will garner more interactions, such as likes and comments. And we know how much the algorithm values engagement.
Essentially, if you post at a time that ensures your followers will see — and engage with — your content, you’ll increase your video’s chances of getting picked up by the TikTok algorithm and landing on the app’s For You page (FYP). Basically, every creator’s dream.
Bottom line: TikTok posting times matter and are absolutely crucial when it comes to getting engagement.
Trying to figure out your TikTok engagement rate? Use our TikTok Engagement and Earnings Calculator to find out!
How to find your best time to post on TikTok
As mentioned, the optimal posting times outlined above were generated based on a general TikTok audience. They’re a good starting point if you’re just starting to plot out your TikTok posting schedule. However, the truth is that the best time to post on TikTok depends entirely on your target audience.
To figure out your personal best time to post, you’ll want to get to know all about your audience and their TikTok habits. That means doing a little bit of analytics work to figure out where they’re viewing from, and when exactly they’re using the app. Let’s get into it.
- Review your TikTok analytics
- Identify when your audience is most active
- Find your audience’s location and time zones
- Check the analytics on individual posts
- Create a posting schedule
- Ask other creators when they post
- Test posting at different times
- Post more often on TikTok
Step 1: Review your TikTok analytics
To get to know your target audience better, you’ll need to dive into their metrics. The TikTok app provides users with both Creator and Business accounts access to its robust analytics dashboard. Here, you’ll find all the valuable information you need to determine your best posting times, including your audience’s key demographic stats, as well as their activity on the app.
All those numbers might seem a little overwhelming at first, but don’t worry, using TikTok analytics is a lot easier than it looks — and the payoff is way worth the effort.
If you’re using a Creator TikTok account, it’s important to note that TikTok Analytics only stores Follower metrics from the last 60 days. If you’d like to download your analytics to save for more in-depth research, you’ll need to sign up for a Business account. It’s quick and easy. Here’s how:
How to switch to a TikTok Business account
- Go to your profile page.
- Tap the three lines in the top right corner.
- Go the Settings and Privacy tab. Tap Account. From there, choose Switch to Business Account.
- Choose the category that best describes your TikTok account.
- From there, you can add a business website and email to your Business profile.
How to check TikTok Analytics
On mobile:
- Go to your profile.
- Tap the three lines on the top right corner.
- Select Creator Tools.
- From there, tap Analytics.
On desktop:
- Log in to TikTok on your web browser.
- Hover over your profile picture on the top right.
- Select View Analytics.
Step 2: Identify when your audience is most active
Now that you’ve got your TikTok analytics in order, it’s time to dig into the data.
To find out when your audience is watching your videos, go to TikTok Analytics’ Follower tab. Under Follower Activity, you’ll find the time and days that your followers are most active on the app.
This data is broken down into an easy-to-read bar graph that shows you the peaks and valleys in your followers’ TikTok activity. Pinpoint both the time slots and dates when your audience’s activity is consistently high, and start posting regularly during those times.
It’s important to note that the times and dates in TikTok’s analytics dashboard are presented in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). This means you’ll need to convert the data into your audience’s time zone.
Step 3: Find your audience’s location and time zones
Speaking of time zones, your second order of business should be figuring out where your audience is located.
Scroll down through the Follower tab to the Top Territories section. Here, you’ll find a breakdown of where your followers are located, ranked by country.
This demographic breakdown will help you figure out which time zones you’ll want to target. For example, if you’re based in the U.S. but you have a large following in Australia, you’ll probably want to post content while your Australian audience is awake (even if you — and your U.S. followers — might be sleeping).
Accommodating multiple time zones in your posting schedule might seem daunting (especially if it means less beauty sleep), but luckily TikTok offers a built-in Video Scheduler tool, which allows Creator and Business accounts to schedule posts up to 10 days in advance. Here’s how it works:
How to schedule Posts on TikTok
- Log into TikTok on a web browser. Click on the Cloud icon at the top right corner of your feed.
- Edit and upload your video.
- Toggle the schedule button and select a date and time. (Note: the time zone will default to your computer setting).
- Schedule your post.
At the moment, TikTok’s native Video Scheduler allows you to schedule posts only 10 days in advance and only on desktop. If you’d like to schedule posts further in advance, or like the flexibility of scheduling via mobile, third-party social media management apps like Later can offer you the more robust functionality you’re looking for.
Step 4: Check the analytics on individual posts
Knowing when your audience is most active (and likely to engage) gives you a good idea of when’s the best time to post. To truly pinpoint your best posting times, you’re going to want even more data based on your past posts.
Swipe over to the Content tab in your TikTok Analytics dashboard. From here, you’ll be able to see metrics on each of your TikTok videos posted in the last 7 days. This data includes average watch time, total play time, how many users were reached, and how they found the video, along with the exact date and time you posted each video.
By combining all this data together, you’ll be able to figure out when your best-performing videos were posted. Once you’ve cross-referenced your Follower and Content analytics, you’ll have a solid idea of when it is the best time to post.
Step 5: Create a posting schedule
Once you’ve determined your best posting times, create a posting schedule that’ll help you consistently commit to those time slots.
If you’re new to content calendars and posting schedules, start small and work your way up. Begin by uploading content during one of your best TikTok posting times once a week. Once you’ve formed that habit, ramp up to posting two or three times a week.
Sticking to a schedule can be hard work. Remember, you can always lean back on TikTok’s Video Scheduler. Alternatively, use third-party social media management apps like Later to plan and upload your posts in advance. That way, you can focus on what you do best: creating amazing content.
As we know, the TikTok algorithm values consistency as well as engagement. So, by creating a posting schedule — especially one that targets your best posting times — you’re actually doubling your gains. In other words, if you’re able to keep up a consistent posting schedule, in addition to posting during the best times, you’ll be well on your way to For You page fame.
Step 6: Ask other creators when they post
You’d be surprised how many creators would be willing to lend a helping hand if you just asked. Even though you’re all essentially competing for TikTok followers, there’s one thing you need to remember: there are billions of eyes out there. That means other TikTokers aren’t your direct competition, they’re people rowing the same boat as you.
Building a network of like-minded creators gives you a support system for when things go wrong, a group to bounce ideas off of, and a list of experts who can help you with aspects of content creation you’re less familiar with — like when you should be posting on TikTok.
Tips for networking with other creators
- Start with people you know: If you’ve been making content for any length of time, you probably have a decent network already. Start by talking to friends, acquaintances, and coworkers who have a presence on the platform. Then, reach out to anyone you’ve interacted with in the past on TikTok.
- Reach out to a few creators every day: When you’re serious about building your network, you need to reach out to people consistently. It may feel awkward and stressful at first, but you’ll get used to it. Identify creators in your niche who have a similar following to yours and reach out. Emphasize that you want to build a mutually beneficial relationship; don’t just message them asking for favors.
- Give more than you take: The best way to build a reliable network is to be as helpful as you can. Go out of your way to do things for others, and they’ll feel a natural itch to give back. When you’ve given a single creator a ton of help (whether that’s advice or free work) they’ll be much more likely to answer your questions.
Step 7: Test posting at different times
Experimentation is the best way to know when your best time to post on TikTok is. Using the times above as a guideline, spend a few weeks (or months) testing things out. Try posting only late on Sundays, or throughout the morning on Tuesday. Give each new TikTok a week or so to gain some traction, then check in to see how well they’re performing. Does posting at certain times bring in more views than others? Is one of the so-called “best times to post on TikTok” completely dead for you? Adjust your posting schedule and run more experiments.
One thing that’s important to remember: try to run just one experiment at a time.
Why? There are so many variables that go into making a TikTok successful, and if you’re testing out multiple theories at once, you’ll never know which of them is responsible for a sudden spike in engagement.
If you’re trying out a new content format, new SEO tricks, and a new posting time all at once, you might find it difficult figuring out which one has the most impact on your engagement (and how).
Step 8: Post more often on TikTok
Posting as much as you can — and as consistently as you can — is the best way to grow on TikTok. It helps you learn the ropes of content creation much faster, figure out what your audience likes, and nail what drives engagement for your content.
If you’re trying to get more traction on TikTok and you’re not posting at least once a day, then you simply need to post more often. TikTok itself says so, recommending that creators post one to four times a day.
By posting more content, you’ll get more data you can use to determine your own best times to share content on the platform. So before you try and figure out when you should be posting, try publishing one fresh TikTok a day.
Get more views on TikTok
Remember, there’s no single best time to post on TikTok. While there are definitely time slots when TikTok’s general audience is more active, the best time to post varies from creator to creator, and is highly dependent on your target audience. By following the steps above, you’ll be able to figure out which times will earn you the most engagement.
Want to get more views on TikTok? Grab our free TikTok SEO Cheat Sheet for creator-approved tips and best practices.
Best times to post on TikTok FAQ
When is the best time to post on TikTok?
There’s no singular best time to post on TikTok. Best posting times are highly individual and depend on the activity and habits of your target audience.
That being said, recent research from Influencer Marketing Hub suggests the following best times to post on TikTok in the U.S.:
- Monday: 12 p.m. or 4 p.m.
- Tuesday: 4 a.m., 8 a.m., 10 a.m, or 3 p.m.
- Wednesday: 1 p.m. or 2 p.m.
- Thursday: 5 a.m, 3 p.m., or 6 p.m.
- Friday: 1 a.m., 11 a.m., 7 p.m., or 9 p.m.
- Saturday: 5 p.m.
- Sunday: 1 a.m., 2 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 10 p.m.
How often should I post on TikTok?
According to TikTok, you should be posting one to four times a day. That gives you the best shot at growing your following, while giving you the information you need to figure out when you should be posting for maximum engagement.
Does it matter when you post on TikTok?
Absolutely! While there’s no one-size-fits-all time for posting, you’ll want to try and hit that sweet spot when your audience is most active on the platform. Using the times listed above is a good place to start, but you’ll want to test out which time is right for you based on how much engagement you get over time.
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Further reading
- TikTok SEO: 8 Tips To Get Your TikTok Videos Rank High in Search
- How To Use TikTok Hashtags To Get More Views
- How To Get More TikTok Followers: 12 Simple Hacks
- TikTok Money Calculator: Estimate How Much You Can Earn as a Creator
This article was originally published in April 2023, and updated in July 2024 with additional information.
