Choosing the right trending audio to accompany your latest Instagram post is an art, not a science. Still, opting for a trending sound or music clip could provide the boost you need to get your video on the Instagram Explore page or Instagram Reels feed.
While it used to be just for Instagram Reels, you can now also add trending audio to your carousels and single photo posts. This gives your posts a better chance of landing on the Explore page, and it makes carousels and photos eligible to appear on the reels feed, too. That opens up a new way to expand your reach.
But where can you find trending audio on Instagram? If you feel like you’re always chasing the tail-end of trending songs on the app, you’ve come to the right place.
Here are some of the most viral, versatile, trending songs and sounds on Instagram right now.
Jump to a section:
13 trending songs and audio on Instagram
Here's a quick summary of what is trending in February 2026.
Trending songs on Instagram in 2026
1. DtMF
Bad Bunny just cleaned up at the Grammys, he's performing at the Super Bowl, and DtMF is doing numbers on Instagram Reels right now. Creators are using this super-versatile track for glow-ups, main-character montages, fashion content, travel recaps, gym clips, and subtle flex content (you know the kind).
🎧 Get the audiosuper-versatile track for glow-ups, main-character
2. Friday Night
Boi Angel's song is the good-vibes-only anthem right now. "Friday night, and I just got paid." Say no more!
3. Give Me Everything
Give Me Everything is having a dramatic comeback — thank you, Bridgerton. The orchestral violin cover turns Pitbull’s party anthem into something scandalously elegant (IYKYK).
4. The Great Divide
Noah Kahan's new song is already doing some emotional heavy lifting on Instagram — months before the album even drops. Fans are using it for anticipation edits, and the soulful sound is also perfect for simple storytelling.
5. 1979
My millennial heart did backflips, and I may or may not have listened to this song another 11 times when I hear this Smashing Pumpkins song on my feed. The 1995 hit just turned 30 in January 2026, and creators are leaning hard into the nostalgia.
6. Touch It
I'm loving these throwbacks. Busta Rhymes' hit is over 20 years old, but the energy still hits as hard in 2026. I’m seeing it in dance challenges, gym content, and high-energy edits. The remixes are everywhere, too, giving creators room to put their own spin on it while keeping that unmistakable tempo.
7. Fortnight
Taylor Swift's Fortnight (feat. Post Malone) is trending again thanks to that one painfully relatable lyric: “All my mornings are Mondays stuck in an endless February.” Creators are using the lyric as a text overlay to romanticize the melancholy.
8. TEMPERATURE x SWEET DREAMS (ALTÉGO MIX)
This is one of those mashups that just works. The Altégo mix blends the smooth nostalgia of Sweet Dreams with the high-energy pulse of Temperature. If your content needs some energy without feeling frantic, this mashup hits that sweet spot (pun fully intended).
9. Sexy Soulaan
Sexy Soulaan by Monaleo is showing up powerfully in Black History Month content. Creators are using it to underscore pride, purpose, and self-definition.
Quick warning that this one contains expletives.
10. Aperture
Harry Styles' new song is popping up everywhere right now as fans celebrate the new sound — and creators are having fun with it. Photographers are taking the title literally, there are dance trends, soft montage edits, and lots of “we belong together” couple content. I can 100% see what all the fuss is about — Harry, you have a new fan.
11. The World We Knew (Over and Over)
This song is pure old-school glam — a graceful nod to a classier era that Instagram is clearly craving right now. Originally recorded by Frank Sinatra in 1967, the track is being used for elegant throwback edits, black-and-white visuals, slow pans, ballroom-worthy outfits, and vintage-inspired lifestyle content.
12. Vogue
Madonna's Vogue is exactly where it belongs — ruling fashion content on Instagram. Creators are using it for sharp outfit transitions, walk-ins, mirror moments, and confident struts. If your reel is about serving a look (or three), this track is a no-brainer.
13. Original audio by gelis.cafe
Finally, a use for all the behind-the-scenes tension that comes with your job. This trend turns everyday chaos into must-see reality TV, thanks to a dramatic, cinematic clock-ticking sound that builds like something big is about to go down. If your day-to-day ever feels like a season finale, this audio gets it.
How to find trending audio on Instagram
Not loving any of the above options? No sweat: here’s a crash course on how to find trending sounds on Instagram Reels.
- Use Instagram’s trending audio list: Check Instagram’s built-in leaderboard for the top 50 trending songs updated every few days. Find it when creating a post, story, or reel on the Instagram mobile app by tapping the music icon, then selecting ‘Trending.’ Save tracks for later with the bookmark icon.
- Check the professional dashboard: If you have a professional account in the US, visit the Professional Dashboard on your profile, scroll to Tips and resources, and tap Trending audio for curated suggestions on Instagram Reels.
- Look for the arrow icon: As you scroll reels, watch for an upward arrow next to audio tracks—that’s Instagram’s indicator that a sound is trending.
- Follow Instagram’s Creators account: The @creators account shares regular updates on trending songs, editing tips for Instagram Reels, and feature announcements. Check out their IG Anthems highlight for more trending songs and trending sounds.
- Check TikTok or YouTube Shorts for early trends: Many trending Instagram Reels sounds originate on TikTok or YouTube Shorts. Browse trending sounds there, then search for those tracks on Instagram to get ahead of the curve.
Don't forget about original audio
As you can see from some of the audio we've mentioned on the list, many creators are making waves with their own clips, and jumping on a trending original track can give your content an extra boost and help it stand out in feeds.
💡Pro tip: You can find trending original audio on your professional dashboard under the Original audio tab.
Happy posting with these trending Instagram songs!
You're well-equipped to find the next great trending audio on Instagram for your reels, carousels, or single-photo posts — and you've got several great tracks to put in your back pocket if you get stuck!
If you’ve created an Instagram Reel with one of these trending songs, we’d love to see it. Tag @buffer on Instagram so we can find you!
Try Buffer for free
190,000+ creators, small businesses, and marketers use Buffer to grow their audiences every month.
