Instagram Story fonts are the text styles you can choose when you tap Aa on a Story. Instagram has expanded the list over the years, and as of late 2025 it includes more than a dozen options, from Classic and Typewriter to newer styles such as Bubble, Deco and Signature. This guide lists each font, shows how to switch and style them, and explains how to get fonts Instagram does not offer, including pasteable styles from our free Instagram Font Generator.
Every Instagram Story Font
Font names below follow Kapwing‘s December 2025 overview. Instagram adds, renames and tests fonts regularly, and some appear only in certain regions or app versions, so your list may differ.
| Font | Style | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Classic | Clean sans-serif | Everyday captions on photos |
| Modern | Wide, bold capitals | Headlines and announcements |
| Typewriter | Monospaced, retro | Quotes, notes and storytelling |
| Strong | Heavy condensed capitals | Hooks and sale banners |
| Elegant | Thin serif | Weddings, fashion and beauty |
| Literature | Bookish serif | Long quotes and reading notes |
| Directional | Slanted italic | Movement, travel and sports |
| Meme | Impact-style bold with outline | Jokes and reactions |
| Signature | Handwritten script | Personal sign-offs and names |
| Editor | Editorial serif | Magazine-style layouts |
| Bubble | Rounded, puffy letters | Playful and cute stories |
| Deco | Art deco display | Events and parties |
| Poster | Tall, condensed display | Bold titles |
| Squeeze | Compressed letters | Stacked text layouts |
| Journal | Casual handwriting | Diary-style updates |
How to Change Font on an Instagram Story
- Open the Story camera and take or upload a photo or video.
- Tap Aa at the top of the screen.
- Type your text.
- Scroll the row of font names above the keyboard and tap one to apply it.
- Tap Done, then drag to position the text and pinch to resize.
How to Style Story Text
- Colour: tap a colour circle above the keyboard, or press and hold one to open the full spectrum.
- Background and outline: tap the A with sparkles button to cycle through a solid background, a semi-transparent background and no background. Some fonts get an outline instead.
- Alignment: tap the lines icon to switch between left, centre and right alignment.
- Animation: tap the animated-A icon to make the text type out or bounce in.
- Eyedropper: tap the dropper icon to pick a colour from your photo so text matches the image.
How to Get Custom Fonts in Instagram Stories
Instagram does not let you upload fonts, but there are three ways around it:
1. Paste Unicode fancy text
Type your words into the Instagram Font Generator, copy a style and paste it into the Story text box. Unicode letters keep their look whichever Story font is selected, because they are different characters, not a different font.
𝓢𝓽𝓸𝓻𝔂 𝓽𝓲𝓶𝓮 ɴᴇᴡ ᴘᴏꜱᴛ ɪꜱ ʟɪᴠᴇ ↑ ꒰ ꜱᴡɪᴘᴇ ᴜᴘ ꒱ 𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗘 50% 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝔐𝔦𝔡𝔫𝔦𝔤𝔥𝔱 𝔱𝔥𝔬𝔲𝔤𝔥𝔱𝔰
2. Add a transparent PNG
Create your text in a font generator with a transparent background, save it to your phone, then add it to your Story as a sticker with the photo sticker option. Our Hand Lettering Generator and Gothic Text Generator both export transparent PNGs, and so does the Instagram Font Generator.
3. Design the Story in an editor
Apps such as Canva or CapCut let you use any font and export the whole Story as an image or video, which you then upload.
Story Font Tips That Improve Engagement
- Use one or two fonts per Story. More looks cluttered.
- Keep text away from the top and bottom edges, where the profile name and reply bar cover it.
- Pair a decorative font for a single word with Classic for the rest.
- Add a background to text placed over busy photos so it stays readable.
- Leave text on screen long enough to read: a rough rule is one second per three or four words.
For fonts in your bio, captions and name rather than Stories, see how to change font on Instagram and the best fonts for an Instagram bio. For softer styles, try our cute fonts list.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change the font on my Instagram Story?
Tap Aa, type your text and scroll the font names above the keyboard. Tap a name to apply it.
What fonts does Instagram Stories have?
As of late 2025 the options include Classic, Modern, Typewriter, Strong, Elegant, Literature, Directional, Meme, Signature, Editor, Bubble, Deco, Poster, Squeeze and Journal. Instagram changes the list in app updates.
Why don’t I have the new Instagram Story fonts?
Instagram rolls out fonts gradually and tests some by region. Update the app and check again after a few days.
Can I add my own font to Instagram Stories?
Not directly. Paste Unicode styled text, add a transparent PNG made in a font generator, or design the Story in an editor such as Canva.
How do I put a background behind Story text?
Tap the A with sparkles button above the keyboard to cycle through background options.
Do Unicode fonts work in Instagram Stories?
Yes. Styled text from the Instagram Font Generator pastes into Story text and keeps its look.