Even full-time creators can confirm this: TikTok posting time matters. You might think your content isn’t hitting, but often it’s just hitting at the wrong hour.
You can have the perfect sound, the right hook, and an edit that’s chef’s kiss, but if you post it at 3 AM when no one’s scrolling? It’s game over. On TikTok, timing really is important, and yes, there are real data-backed “best times” to hit that post button.
In this guide, we’re breaking down the best time to post on TikTok based on real user behavior, location, and platform insights.
What are the best times to post on TikTok?
While the ideal posting time can vary based on your audience’s location and habits, multiple studies and social media experts have analyzed when users are most active, and the results are surprisingly consistent. Here’s what the data tells us about the best times to post on TikTok in 2025.
Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday are the most effective days to post, while mornings and evenings tend to bring the highest engagement.
This is because people typically check TikTok in the early morning (just after waking up), during lunch breaks, and in the evening, when they’re relaxing or winding down.
On weekends, the pattern shifts slightly: users tend to scroll later in the morning and again during the evening hours.
To help you post smarter, here’s a practical, research-backed table that breaks down the best times to post on TikTok by day of the week:
- Monday: 6 a.m., 9 a.m., 5 p.m., 10 p.m.
- Tuesday: 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 8 p.m.
- Wednesday: 7 a.m., 6 p.m., 9 p.m.
- Thursday: 8 a.m., 12 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m.
- Friday: 6 a.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m.
- Saturday: 9-11 a.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m., 9 p.m.
- Sunday: 8-10 a.m., 4 p.m., 8 p.m.
These times are a fantastic starting point, but not every audience is the same. If your followers are mostly night owls or located in different time zones, your best posting time might be totally unique.
That’s why your TikTok Analytics (available through a free Creator or Business account) is your best friend. Check when your followers are most active and test different times to see what works best for you.
When are TikTok users most active?
The average TikTok user spends about 95 minutes per day on TikTok, placing it ahead of platforms like Instagram (60 minutes) and Snapchat (48 minutes), making it the go-to app for consuming video content.
A significant number of users kick off their day with a scroll through TikTok, making the 8 AM to 10 AM window a consistent time for early engagement. TikTok is often the first app people reach for in bed, during breakfast, or a morning commute.
Engagement peaks again in the evening, typically between 7 PM and 10 PM, as users settle in for the night. This is when the platform sees the highest activity, with people turning to TikTok for entertainment, laughs, and late-night inspiration.
Best days and times to post on TikTok
Now, let’s break down the best days and times to post on TikTok by each day of the week and why those times kind of make sense:
What are the best times to post on TikTok on Monday?
Best times to post: 6 a.m., 9 a.m., 5 p.m., 10 p.m.
Mondays are generally not the best day to post, but TikTok users do check the app early before the workday, again during mid-morning breaks, and especially in the evening when they’re unwinding. The late-night slot (10 p.m.) often works well for more casual or relatable content.
What are the best times to post on TikTok on Tuesday?
Best times to post: 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 8 p.m.
Tuesday consistently ranks as one of TikTok’s best-performing days overall. After Monday’s mental reset, users become more active and receptive. The early afternoon (2–4 p.m.) is ideal because it catches both students and remote workers during a lull in their day. Posting during this window helps your video gain steady traction. By 8 p.m., people are firmly in "chill mode," catching up on their favorite TikTok creators.
What are the best times to post on TikTok on Wednesday?
Best times to post: 7 a.m., 6 p.m., 9 p.m.
Wednesday is midweek, and many users look to social media for a break or boost. Posting at 7 a.m. can catch early risers and those scrolling before their day gets busy. Then, around 6 p.m., engagement spikes again as people wrap up work and relax. The 9 p.m. window is another strong moment, especially for emotionally engaging or humorous videos that help users decompress after a long day.
What are the best times to post on TikTok on Thursday?
Best times to post: 8 a.m., 12 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m.
Thursdays offer several engagement windows throughout the day, making it a flexible day to post. Morning posts around 8 a.m. catch the early scrollers, while lunchtime at 12 p.m. is a sweet spot for people checking TikTok during a break. Engagement ramps up in the early evening (5–7 p.m.), which is ideal for upbeat, visually appealing, or shareable content.
What are the best times to post on TikTok on Friday?
Best times to post: 6 a.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m.
Friday is when people start mentally checking out of the week and tuning into TikTok for entertainment. Posting early at 6 a.m. can capture that first scroll of the day, especially among teens and Gen Z who are up early for school. Afternoon hours are all strong, as users gear up for the weekend and look for content that gets them excited or inspired. Friday is a prime day to share videos that feel “fun” and social.
What are the best times to post on TikTok for Saturday?
Best times to post: 9-11 a.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m., 9 p.m.
Weekends shift user behavior a lot. People sleep in, so the best time to post kicks in mid-morning around 9 to 11 a.m. when most users are up and easing into their day with a casual scroll. Engagement then dips a bit during the afternoon as people go out, but rises again in the early evening. Posting around 5 to 9 p.m. lets you reach users who are relaxing at home, getting ready to go out, or already winding down for the night.
What are the best times to post on TikTok for Sunday?
Best times to post: 8-10 a.m., 4 p.m., 8 p.m.
Sundays are slower and more reflective. The early morning slot from 8 to 10 a.m. works well for motivational or aesthetic content, especially as people mentally prep for the week ahead. Around 4 p.m., engagement picks up again, and by 8 p.m., users are soaking up their last bit of weekend freedom with a scroll session.
Best TikTok posting time by country
Time zones, local habits, and daily routines all play a role in when users are most active and likely to engage. Below, we break down the best posting times for some of the top TikTok-using countries, based on consistent performance data and user activity trends.
Best time to post on TikTok in US
In the United States, TikTok users are most active in the morning. The best days to post are Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Posting between 7 AM and 12 PM tends to generate the most engagement. These time slots align with the typical free time people have before work or school.
Best time to post on TikTok in the UK
As of 2025, over 23 million people in the UK actively use TikTok, with a large portion aged between 16 and 34. Gen Z and millennials dominate the platform, using it for everything from entertainment and news to product discovery and creator-led trends. The best times to post in the UK are typically 8 AM to 10 AM and 6 PM to 9 PM. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday are the strongest days for engagement.
Best time to post on TikTok in India
In India, TikTok is especially popular among users aged 18 to 30, with a strong following in both metro cities and Tier 2 and Tier 3 regions. Users tend to be highly active during the early morning hours from 7 AM to 9 AM as they start their day, and again in the late afternoon and evening, from 1 PM to 3 PM and 5 PM to 8 PM. These windows align with daily routines, before work or classes begin, during lunch breaks, and in the downtime after dinner. Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday are considered the most effective days to post.
Best Time to Post on TikTok in Nigeria
The majority of TikTok users in Nigeria fall within the 18 to 34 age range, most of whom are usually active during mid-morning, around 9 AM to 11 AM, and evening hours, from 7 PM to 10 PM. Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday are especially strong days to post, with Friday and Saturday nights showing the highest engagement rates.
Tips for posting on TikTok
Once you've nailed down the best times to post, the next step is making sure your content actually lands. Here are some real, battle-tested tips to help your TikToks not just get seen, but be unforgettable too.
1. Hook viewers in the first 2 seconds
You’re competing with endless scrolls and short attention spans. Start with a question, a bold statement, a massive reveal, or a visual surprise to stop viewers from scrolling past your content. Don’t wait to get to the point; start with the point.
2. Use trending sounds, but make them your own
Hopping on a trend helps you ride the algorithm wave, but what gets attention is your twist on it. Add a punchline, change the setting, or make it niche to your audience.
3. Post consistently, not constantly
More videos don’t always mean more views. Instead of spamming your followers, find a rhythm that works for you. It can be twice a week, once a day, etc.. The goal is consistency that people can expect, not burnout.
4. Don’t skip the caption, treat it like a second hook
Your caption can spark curiosity, add context, or invite interaction. A witty question, an inside joke, or even a cliffhanger would immediately convince the viewer to stay. And yes, emojis are fair game if they fit your vibe.
5. Engage in the first 30 minutes
Once you post, hang around. Reply to comments, like replies, and interact with other videos in your niche. TikTok notices when creators are active, and it can boost your video’s chances of taking off early.
6. Think vertical, literally and visually
TikTok is a vertical platform, so use the full frame. Fill the screen with action, make sure text is legible, and don’t let important visuals get cut off. Crop like a viewer, not a cameraman.
7. Don’t delete underperforming videos
TikTok content has a long shelf life. Some videos take off hours, or even days, after posting. Deleting too soon might kill a slow-burner before it sparks.
8. Add value in your way
Whether it’s entertainment, education, or aesthetic vibes, your videos should give something. Teach, show, share, or just vibe. Value doesn’t mean serious; it just means someone walks away with something.
How many people use TikTok in 2025?
If it feels like everyone is on TikTok these days, that’s because… they kind of are.
According to TikTok statistics, as of 2025, the platform boasts around 1.6 billion monthly active users worldwide. That makes it one of the largest social platforms on the planet, right up there with Instagram and YouTube. And it’s not just passive scrolling either. People are actively watching, creating, commenting, and sharing short-form videos every single day.
In the United States, estimates vary slightly, but TikTok has between 120 to 135 million active users, which is more than one-third of the entire population. It’s become a staple app for Gen Z, millennials, and even older generations who originally joined “just to check it out” and never left.
In 2024 alone, TikTok was downloaded 875.67 million times, proving that new users are still pouring in, and fast. While some platforms start to slow down after a few years, TikTok continues to expand its audience, both globally and locally.
Additionally, there are estimated to be more than 1.2 million TikTok creators actively posting content on the app, while hundreds of thousands are part of TikTok’s Creator Marketplace. From full-time influencers to casual creators, TikTok has become the go-to platform for anyone looking to build an audience, go viral, or just share something fun.
Create TikTok videos with Podcastle
To sum it up, yes, the best time to post on TikTok is very individual, and yes, it does help you boost your content. However, for people to react to your TikTok videos, and for you to see what great timing can do to them, they first need to be catchy, engaging, and memorable.
Podcastle's Video Editor helps you create high-quality TikTok videos with just a few clicks. With our easy-to-use video editor and AI tools, you can:
- Instantly resize videos into the most popular aspect ratios
- Use AI to enhance video quality in one click
- Correct eye contact for a more natural look
- Remove background noise and filler words automatically
- Access a library of stock videos, images, GIFs, and royalty-free music
- Add AI voices for perfect, natural-sounding voiceovers
Start creating TikTok videos with Podcastle today, post them at your personal best times, and see your content come to life instantly.
