Social Media Best Posting Times Heatmap Matrix

Best times to post on social media: how to read the heatmap

For Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube and X, the tool shows a 7-day × 24-hour grid scored from 0 to 100 and three suggested slots. These scores are fixed benchmarks built into the tool, not statistics from your account: for Instagram, Wednesday at 11 am and 6 pm scores 98 out of 100, and 1 am to 3 am scores 5.

How the tool works

• For each platform, a grid of 168 scores (7 days × 24 hours) is hard-coded in the tool. No data is collected from or computed on your audience.
• Colours: dark green with a flame from 90, green from 75, light green from 60, amber from 40, grey below.
• Three "golden" slots are listed with an announced gain (for example +48% reach): these percentages are not tied to any published study and should be read as indicative.
• The copy button produces a text schedule with the best days and these three slots.

Example

Instagram: suggested days Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; slots Wednesday 11 am-1 pm, Friday 6-8 pm and Sunday 7-9:30 pm. LinkedIn peaks on Tuesday at 8 am (98) and reaches 35 at best on Saturday, reflecting weekday professional use. YouTube favours the weekend and afternoons, leaving time for a video to be indexed before the evening.

Limits

• Platforms do not publish an official "best time"; these grids are general heuristics.
• Times should be read in your audience's time zone, which the tool does not ask for.
• Choosing an audience type (B2B, Gen Z, parents) does not change the grid displayed.
• Your own account statistics (Instagram Insights, TikTok Analytics, LinkedIn Analytics) show when your followers are actually online: test two or three slots for a few weeks and compare the reach. No posting time guarantees a result.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to post on Instagram?

In the tool's grid, Wednesday at 11 am and 6 pm and Friday at 6 pm score highest (98 out of 100). Instagram publishes no official time: check your insights to see when your followers are online.

Should I post on LinkedIn at the weekend?

The tool's LinkedIn grid does not exceed 35 out of 100 on Saturday, against 98 on Tuesday at 8 am. Usage is mostly professional, on weekdays during office hours.

Do the heatmap scores come from my account?

No. The 168 scores per platform are fixed benchmarks built into the tool, the same for every user. They do not replace your account's analytics tab.

Which time zone should I read the times in?

Read them in the time zone of most of your audience. If your followers are in New York and you are in London, a slot suggested at 6 pm falls at 11 pm in London, five hours later.

Is this tool really free?

Yes, all tools on Kristools are 100% free and accessible without registration.

Is my data protected?

Yes. All processing is performed directly and securely inside your browser. No personal data is sent to our servers.