You can edit a comment on Instagram by tapping it, selecting Edit, and retyping the text — but only your own comments, and only within a short window after posting.
Instagram lets you change the wording of a comment you wrote, but the process is quick and the time limit is strict. You have a limited window after posting to make the edit — Instagram does not specify the exact cutoff, but most users report it works for at least several hours. Once you edit, followers see the updated text, and Instagram marks it with an "edited" label so others know the comment changed.
You cannot edit comments written by other people, even if you run the account or manage the page. You can only delete someone else's comment from your own posts. If you need to change what another person wrote, you have to ask them to do it themselves, or remove the comment entirely.
Key Takeaways
- Open the comment you wrote, press and hold it, then tap Edit from the menu that appears.
- Change the text in the box that opens, then tap Done or Save to confirm the change.
- Instagram marks edited comments with an "edited" label so other users know the text changed.
- You can only edit your own comments, not comments from other people on your posts.
- If you cannot find the Edit option, the comment may be too old — try deleting and reposting instead.
Step-by-step: editing your own comment
Find the comment you want to change on any Instagram post — yours or someone else's. Press and hold directly on the comment text itself. A menu will pop up with several options, including Edit, Delete, and Report.
Tap Edit. A text box will open with your original comment already filled in. Delete or change any part of the text you want to fix. When you are done, tap Done (on iPhone) or the checkmark button (on Android) to save the change. The comment will update when ready, and other users will see the new version with an "edited" label underneath.
If you do not see the Edit option when you hold down the comment, the comment is likely too old. Instagram does not publish a specific time limit, but the Edit button typically disappears after several hours or a day. In that case, delete the comment and post a new one instead.
Deleting a comment instead of editing it
If you want to remove the comment entirely rather than fix it, press and hold the comment text and tap Delete. The comment disappears when ready and cannot be recovered. Other users will not see it, and there is no notification that a comment was deleted.
Deleting is faster than editing if you only want the comment gone. Use Edit only if you want to keep the comment but change what it says. If someone else wrote the comment on your post and you want it removed, you must delete it — you cannot edit it.
Why Instagram marks comments as edited
When you edit a comment, Instagram adds an "edited" label below the text so other users know the original wording changed. This label appears to everyone viewing the post, not just you. The label does not show what the comment said before the edit — it only signals that a change happened.
The "edited" label helps prevent misunderstandings. Without it, someone could change a comment to mean something completely different, and readers would not know the text had been altered. The label keeps the conversation transparent.
Removing comments from other people on your posts
You cannot edit comments that other people wrote, even on your own posts or your business account. You can only delete them. Press and hold the comment, then tap Delete. The comment is removed and the person who wrote it will not receive a notification that you deleted it.
If you want to ask someone to change their comment instead of deleting it, you can reply to their comment or send them a direct message. Some accounts choose to do this before deleting, especially if the comment is not offensive — just unclear or off-topic.
What happens if you edit a comment with a mention or hashtag
If your original comment tagged another user or included a hashtag, you can edit those just like any other text. The mention or hashtag will still work after the edit. If you remove a mention or hashtag during the edit, that person or hashtag will no longer be linked in the comment.
Editing a comment does not send a new notification to anyone you mentioned. The person tagged in the original comment will not be notified again after you edit. They will only see the updated text if they return to the post and read the comment again.
Troubleshooting: Edit button is not showing
The most common reason the Edit option does not appear is that too much time has passed since you posted the comment. Try deleting the comment and posting a new one instead. This is the only workaround if the Edit window has closed.
If the Edit button is missing on a recent comment, try closing the Instagram app completely and opening it again. Sometimes a refresh fixes display glitches. If it still does not work, the comment may have been flagged by Instagram's systems, which can restrict editing on certain content.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I edit a comment I posted on someone else's photo?
Yes. The Edit option works on any comment you wrote, whether it is on your own post, a friend's post, or a public account's post. Press and hold your comment and tap Edit to change the text.
Does the person I mentioned in a comment get notified if I edit it?
No. The original mention sends a notification, but editing the comment does not send a new one. The person will only see the change if they view the post again and read your comment.
Can I edit a comment on a post that has been deleted?
No. Once a post is deleted, all comments on it are deleted too. You cannot edit a comment on a post that no longer exists.
What if I edit a comment and then want to see what it said before?
Instagram does not show the original text of an edited comment. Once you change it, the old version is not stored anywhere you can view. If you need to remember what you wrote, you would have to ask someone who saw the comment before you edited it.
Can I edit comments on my Instagram Stories?
No. Story comments work differently from post comments. You can only delete Story comments, not edit them. Press and hold the comment and tap Delete to remove it.