TikTok Best Time to Post Calculator
Find optimal posting times based on your audience region and content type. Maximize reach by posting when your audience is most active and the algorithm rewards your content.
Timing is critical for TikTok success. Use this calculator with our Engagement Rate Calculator to track how posting times affect performance, and check your Video Performance Score to measure overall content quality.
Find Your Best Posting Times
Your local timezone
Where most of your audience is located
Primary type of content you create
Why Posting Time Matters on TikTok
Posting when your audience is most active increases initial engagement, which signals to TikTok's algorithm to push your content further. The first 30-60 minutes after posting are critical for algorithmic success.
How timing affects TikTok performance:
- Videos with strong first-hour engagement get pushed to more For You pages
- Peak hours mean more followers are online to provide instant engagement
- Consistent posting times train your audience to expect your content
- Optimal timing can 2-3x your views compared to off-peak posting
- The algorithm prioritizes recent content with high engagement velocity
Algorithm Insight: TikTok's recommendation system evaluates your video's performance in the first hour. Videos that get quick engagement (likes, comments, shares, watch time) within 60 minutes receive exponentially more reach. This is why posting when your followers are active is crucial—they provide that critical initial boost.
Best Times by Content Type
Different content types perform best at different times based on when audiences consume that content:
Entertainment & Comedy
Best: 7-10 PM, weekends
People watch entertainment during leisure time—evenings after work/school and weekend mornings.
Educational & How-To
Best: 12-1 PM, 7-9 AM
Learning content performs well during lunch breaks and morning routines when people seek productivity.
Business & Finance
Best: 8-10 AM, 12-2 PM (weekdays)
Professional content resonates during work hours when people are in "business mode."
Fitness & Wellness
Best: 6-8 AM, 5-7 PM
Aligns with workout times—early morning routines and post-work gym sessions.
General Best Times to Post on TikTok
Based on platform-wide data for North American audiences (EST/PST):
9:00 AM
85/100Morning commute & coffee break
People scrolling during commute or morning routine
12:00 PM
90/100Lunch break scrolling
Peak lunchtime—highest midday engagement
5:00 PM
88/100Post-work wind down
Commute home and end-of-workday relaxation
9:00 PM
95/100Prime evening engagement
Peak usage time—maximum users online
Advanced Posting Strategies
Test and Track
Post at different times over 2 weeks. Track first-hour engagement (views, likes, comments) for each. Double down on your winning times.
Use TikTok Analytics
Go to Analytics → Followers → Follower activity. This shows EXACTLY when YOUR followers are online. Prioritize this data over general recommendations.
Batch Content, Schedule Posts
Create multiple videos in one session, then schedule them for optimal times using TikTok's native scheduler or third-party tools like Later or Hootsuite.
Consider Time Zones
If you have a global audience, test posting at times that work for multiple regions (e.g., 12 PM EST = 5 PM UK = 9 AM PST).
Account for Competition
Peak times have more users but more competition. Test off-peak times (2-3 PM) for less saturation and potentially better visibility.
Post Consistently
The algorithm rewards consistency. Pick 1-3 optimal times and post at those same times daily/weekly. Your audience will come to expect your content.
Common Posting Time Mistakes
Posting randomly without testing
Track performance by posting time for 2 weeks to identify patterns. Data beats guesswork.
Only using general "best times"
Check YOUR TikTok Analytics for follower activity. Your audience may differ from general trends.
Posting when YOU're available
Schedule content for when your audience is active, not just when it's convenient for you to post.
Changing times constantly
Consistency trains your audience. Once you find winning times, stick to them for 30+ days.
Ignoring weekends
Weekends have different usage patterns (more late-night, mid-morning activity). Test weekend-specific schedules.
Not adjusting for holidays/events
Usage patterns change during holidays, major sports events, and trending moments. Adjust timing accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Calculators
Real-World Example: Finding Your Optimal Posting Time
Sarah is a fitness creator with 45,000 followers, mostly located in the US (EST timezone). She creates workout tutorials and motivational content. Let's walk through how she found her optimal posting times.
Sarah's Testing Process
Week 1: Morning Posts (7-9 AM)
Average first-hour views: 2,800
Engagement rate: 6.2%
Week 2: Lunch Posts (12-1 PM)
Average first-hour views: 1,900
Engagement rate: 4.8%
Week 3: Evening Posts (6-7 PM)
Average first-hour views: 4,200
Engagement rate: 7.9%
Winning Strategy
Best Time: 6-7 PM EST
- 50% more first-hour views than morning
- 27% higher engagement rate
- Aligns with post-workout scrolling
- Audience is relaxed and engaged
Result: By consistently posting at 6:30 PM, Sarah increased her average video views from 18K to 31K within 30 days—a 72% improvement just from timing optimization.
Key Takeaway: Sarah's data contradicted general advice (which suggests morning is best for fitness). Her audience preferred evening posts because they were winding down after their own workouts and more receptive to motivational content. This proves why testing YOUR specific audience is critical—don't just follow generic best practices.