Getting traction for a selfie post on Instagram isn’t always easy. Of course, it’s important to take a good selfie, with great lighting, to catch people’s eye.
However, your caption is also important. A good caption that intrigues people, creates mystery, and inspires viewers will boost your likes and comments.
Regardless of what your goal with your selfie posting is, a good caption is critical. Although Instagram is primarily a visual-based platform, the captions are there for a reason – people enjoy reading a bit of text to stimulate their minds as well.
Whether you are an influencer or want to impress your friends, here are 225 Instagram captions that you can use with your selfies.
Some of these captions are catchy and a bit rebellious, while others are motivational and inspiring. The point is simply to catch people’s attention, and you might need to be a bit controversial at times to do so!
Tips for Increasing Engagement With Instagram Captions
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In this article, you will find enough captions to last you quite a while. However, it’s good to keep in mind the following tips when coming up with your own selfie captions or if you want to tweak the captions in this article.
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Use Emojis
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While I didn’t include any emojis in the captions I listed in this article, I would recommend using them, as they help catch the eye and attract attention.
Smiling emojis and heart emojis are very effective, but you can also use other emojis depending on the context.
For example, on a cloudy day, you can use a cloud, rain, or umbrella emoji. If you are posting a sexy selfie, you can use a smiling devil emoji.
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Avoid Hashtags in Captions
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Hashtags are great for getting your posts ranked in the Discover section, but I recommend using them at the end of a post, not in the caption itself.
In my opinion, it simply makes the caption hard to read and understand. The different colors (hashtags are shown in blue) of the text make it disorienting.
Instead, make a line of periods and then include relevant hashtags. For example, you could include a caption like this:
What a beautiful sunny day! [Insert a sun and heart emoji here]
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.
.
.
.
.
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#selfie #prettygirl #follow4follow #losangelesgirl #instagrammodel
If your entire caption is a single hashtag, though, that’s okay, because there’s only one text color (blue). An example might be #selfietime.
Don’t Make Them Too Long
Captions should be short. One short sentence or phrase is ideal, but you can also include up to 3-4 short sentences if it’s a good quote.
Anything longer than that is too much. It will get cut off and people won’t want to read the whole thing, so they’ll just skip over it.
Showcase Your Colorful Personality
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Captions are a way to showcase your personality and mood. Don’t be afraid to express yourself in your captions.
A selfie caption is great for describing your moods, thoughts, or feelings while taking the selfie. If you’re feeling a particular quote or idea, put it in your caption; if you’re just feeling grateful, write a short caption such as “thankful.”
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Be Edgy
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It’s good to stand out. You can do that by being a bit rebellious and controversial.
Try a few edgy quotes or expressions and see if it gathers more engagement. Also, don’t be afraid to have a bit of ego when writing a selfie caption – it’s a selfie after all, so be proud of how you look!
Write a Bunch of Drafts in Advance
There will be times when you will take an amazing selfie and want to post it, but you won’t know what to write in the caption. It’s useful to have a bunch of selfie caption drafts that you can use on demand.
You can always refer to this article for caption ideas – bookmark this page and visit it when you need inspiration. Take a few ones and add them to a note in Google Keep or Evernote.
Get Inspiration From Others
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If you want the best caption, always be on the lookout for them. When your friends post selfies, take note of their captions.
Which captions seem to be gathering the most attention? You don’t want to copy their captions word for word but rather use them as inspiration for your own captions.
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Pay Extra Attention to the First Few Words
Instagram cuts off captions after the first few lines. Therefore, when writing a caption, lead with the most interesting and engaging part.
For example, if you post a quote, consider rephrasing it so that the beginning part is more eye-catching.
That is another reason I recommend using a line of dots to hide your hashtags, as it will ensure they get cut off and don’t appear in the visible part of the caption when people scroll through their feeds.
Ask Questions
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A great way to drive more engagement on Instagram is to end your captions with a question. It could be something about your selfie, or it could be a random question.
For example, if a new movie came out, you can ask your followers if they thought it was good or not. This would work well if you’re taking a selfie at the cinema, but it can also work for random selfies.
Try to Be Relevant
Captions for selfies don’t always have to be relevant. They can be random quotes, especially if there is nothing really interesting in the background of the selfie that stands out or could add context.
However, if you can, be relevant. If you post a gym selfie, for example, you can post a caption/quote that touches upon motivation, hard work, dedication, not giving up, and so on.
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225 Short Instagram Captions for Selfies
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Following are the 225 short Instagram captions for your selfies. I have added attribution when they are quotes from authors, famous people, or songs.
1. Never give up.
2. Hated, adored, but never ignored.
3. Rules are meant to be broken.
4. I’m good at everything except the things I can’t do.
5. Impossible is short for “I’m possible.” (Audrey Hepburn)
6. Energy speaks for itself.
7. Somewhere in the mess there’s a message.
8. Work hard, party hard, play hard.
9. In the gym, you have men who train hard and men who hardly train. (This caption is great for gym selfies if you’re a guy.)
10. Being happy never goes out of style.
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11. Like a ray of sunshine penetrating the cloudy sky.
12. Gym selfie check. (Another good caption for a gym selfie.)
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13. Chillin’ with the boys.
14. A night out with these queens.
15. New hair, who ‘dis? (After getting a new hairstyle at the salon or a fresh cut at the barber.)
16. Thankful for another day on this planet.
17. They said I couldn’t do it, so I did.
18. Uptown, downtown, all around town.
19. I’m rare, like Mr. Clean with hair. (Phone Home by Lil’ Wayne)
20. I’m like chicken soup for your soul.
21. Finding happiness in the little things.
22. Focus on yourself, and happiness will follow.
23. Chase excellence, not approval.
24. Progress over perfection.
25. Not giving a f*** is a subtle art. (Reference to Mark Manson).
26. Your only life is now. The past and future don’t exist.
27. Quitters never win. Winners never quit. (Vince Lombardi)
28. I don’t know where I’m going, but I’m on my way! (Name of a song written by George Fairman in 1917, referencing World War I.)
29. A day without laughter is a day wasted.
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30. Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass but learning to dance in the rain. (Vivian Greene)
31. Be the smile of somebody’s day.
32. Look into my eyes and tell me what you see.
33. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. (Elbert Hubbard)
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34. Secure that bag.
35. You don’t need motivation, you need discipline.
36. Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. Weak men create hard times. (G. Michael Hopf)
37. Stop overthinking – go out and live a little!
38. Life is simple; it’s just not easy.
39. To live is to fly. (To Live Is to Fly by Townes van Zandt)
40. Open your mouth and feel the raindrops.
41. I’m like a flower in the rain.
42. You never even called me by name. (You Never Even Called Me by My Name by David Allan Coe)
43. Success is having to worry about every damn thing in the world, except money. (Johnny Cash)
44. When you want to succeed, live to the edge. (Pizza Hut – “When you want to succeed, live to the edge of the crust.”)
45. It is Wednesday my dudes. (Popular meme credited to Tumblr user kidpix2)
46. It will take a while to make you smile… Somewhere in these eyes I’m on your side. (Space Song by Beach House)
47. Flower child.
48. Too cool for school.
49. Improvise, adapt, overcome.
50. Smoke grass, eat a**, run fast.
51. BTL: Built To Last! (Good for gym selfies.)
52. Never say never.
53. Live, laugh, toaster bath.
54. Tomorrow is another day.
55. I got a blue moon in my eye. (Reference to Woke Up This Morning by Alabama 3)
56. Which side is the wrong side of the bed?
57. Love yourself.
58. Don’t let anyone get you down.
59. Wake up and smell the flowers.
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60. Morning gram.
61. Sunday funday.
62. Steady on my grind.
63. I’m wearing the smile you gave me.
64. Good vibes only.
65. A girl’s gotta eat. (For work selfies.)
66. Girl power.
67. I could build a castle out of all the bricks they threw at me. (New Romantics by Taylor Swift)
68. Everyday is a winding road. (Every Day Is a Winding Road by Sheryl Crow)
69. I could stay here until the cows come home.
70. How are you all doing today?
71. Hope you all have a blessed Sunday.
72. Be the best version of yourself.
73. Don’t look for happiness; create it.
74. Don’t look for happiness in the place you just lost it.
75. Happiness is like a butterfly: the more you chase it, the more it will evade you, but if you notice the other things around you, it will gently come and sit on your shoulder. (Henry David Thoreau)
76. The most important thing is to show up.
77. Face your fears; embrace your weaknesses.
78. Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus. (Mo Willems)
79. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. (When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going by Billy Ocean)
80. If you fell down yesterday, stand up today.
81. Tough times never last, but tough people do. (Dr. Robert H. Schuller)
82. It’s better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war. (Old Chinese proverb)
83. Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth. (Mike Tyson. Good for selfies if you are a martial artist or boxer.)
84. The worst loneliness is to not be comfortable with yourself. (Mark Twain)
85. Happiness is not the absence of problems, it’s the ability to deal with them. (Steve Maraboli)
86. As long as we persevere and endure, we can get anything we want. (Mike Tyson)
87. She was a wide-eyed girl in a purple dress, she could have been good, she could have been the best… (Wide Eyed Girl by Eurythmics)
88. Think big, act small. (Jason Jennings)
89. Always push your limits.
90. Stop and smell the roses. (Stop and Smell the Roses by Mac Davis)
91. I’m like sunshine in the rain.
92. In a sea of people, my eyes will always search for you.
93. Believe in yourself.
94. Simplicity is pretty.
95. The screenwriter of my life was a bit crazy.
96. Behind the scenes from the latest Barbie movie. (For selfies if you’re a blond girl.)
97. Always reach for the stars.
98. Hard choices, easy life.
99. Never forget how beautiful and wonderful you are.
100. Kindness is irreplaceable.
101. The best revenge is moving on.
102. Don’t let your haters get to you.
103. Haters gonna hate.
104. Making my way downtown!
105. On the road to success.
106. My life is like a movie.
107. Good morning sunshines.
108. Hello world.
109. Have a wonderful day!
110. Would you rather be right or happy?
111. I’m all yours 😉
112. It’s crazy how time flies.
113. Even the hardest days are full of moments that will never come again, so savor them.
114. KFC or Burger King?
115. Sweet and spicy.
116. I’m someone’s dream come true.
117. Cherish each moment as if it were your last.
118. Do as little as needed, not as much as possible. (Henk Kraaijenhof)
119. Let go or be dragged.
120. Someone’s favorite.
121. Don’t chase what’s sexy, or you’ll miss what matters.
122. Too lit to quit.
123. The rizzman is here.
124. Happy body, happy mind.
125. Outfit of the day, what do you think?
126. Hiking or movies?
127. Don’t be afraid to cut people off.
128. Don’t be afraid to make tough choices.
129. Don’t judge me if you haven’t been in my shoes.
130. Are things happening to you or around you?
131. Don’t sleepwalk through life.
132. Stop being a sheep and think for yourself.
133. If you can’t beat me, join me.
134. Act bad, slay big.
135. She smiled at the ocean, because the waves told her story.
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136. I would rather be covered with sweat at the gym than clothes at the beach. (For gym selfies.)
137. Leave a little sparkle wherever you go.
138. Dreamy eyes.
139. It’s been a minute.
140. I’m backkkkk!
141. I will never shrink myself to fit someone’s ideals.
142. Just reflecting on life.
143. Weekend plans?
144. Never be afraid of change.
145. Embrace life, it’s the only one you’ll get.
146. What’s on your mind?
147. No matter how many times you fall down, keep getting up.
148. Losing myself in your gaze.
149. [Month] dump. (For a collection of selfies you post at the end of a month. For example, at the end of June, you can post some selfies with the caption, “June dump.”)
150. Let me distract you for a moment.
151. No caption needed!
152. Everyone sees the shine, but they never see the grind. (Based on a quote from Kodak Black.)
153. Random selfie dump.
154. Let me into your heart.
155. Throwback. (When you post old pictures that aren’t recent.)
156. I no like wahala. (Henry Adams)
157. Choose to be happy.
158. When you keep working, results will show!
159. Look for the magic in every moment. (Based on Magic Every Moment by Dan Fogelberg)
160. Think positive and attract positivity.
161. The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. (Elie Wiesel)
162. Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and get to work. (Chuck Close)
163. It is not enough that we do our best; sometimes we must do what is required. (Winston Churchill)
164. Forget the troubles and rock with me. (Skankin’ Sweet by Chronixx)
165. Did I hear you calling?
166. Smile, because you never know who will fall for it.
167. Getting hot out here! (For sexy selfies.)
168. I’m bringing good vibes.
169. Have the guts to explore.
170. Don’t let anyone kill your vibe.
171. Excited for summer!
172. My love for you is bigger than the ocean.
173. Love your body.
174. Embrace your imperfections.
175. Learn to love yourself.
176. A light breeze fanned the forest fire.
177. All I can think of is you.
178. Old soul with a young face.
179. Like gumdrops in a rainstorm.
180. Don’t sabotage your peace just because chaos is familiar.
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181. Promise me you will continue being yourself.
182. Ready to slay!
183. You control the vibes that occupy your space. (Stephanie Bennett-Henry)
184. Embracing the journey of self discovery.
185. Will you be mine?
186. I’m like a bird, I’ll only fly away. (I’m Like a Bird by Nelly Furtado)
187. Don’t be afraid to venture into the unknown, as that is where treasures lie.
188. There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning. (Louis L’Amour)
189. You could be good today, but instead you choose tomorrow. (Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor)
190. Excellence is not an act but a habit. (Aristotle)
191. Keep smiling, because life is beautiful and there’s always something to smile about.
192. I’ll love you to the moon and back.
Photo by Joonas Kääriäinen, Pexels
193. Let’s collab! DM me.
194. Don’t waste words on people who deserve your silence. (Mandy Hale)
195. I won’t let anybody drag me down.
196. I love my life.
197. I love my hood.
198. Since when did you get a say in how I do things?
199. Don’t drink and drive, smoke and fly.
200. Too hot to handle.
201. If you miss me, kiss me.
202. Being alone is my comfort zone.
203. Hair we go again. (For a selfie showing your new hair.)
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Photo by Artem Podrez, Pexels
204. To love is to find the only person that completes your heart.
205. It never gets easier, you just get stronger.
206. Expect nothing less than the best from yourself.
207. Day [#] of selfies. (For example, if it’s your sixth day posting a selfie, you can post the caption “Day six of selfies.”)
208. Somewhere on this planet…
209. Life is a journey, not a destination.
210. In a world of worriers, be a warrior.
211. From zero to hero.
212. Hello [Month]. (Post this caption at the beginning of a new month. For example, on the first day of July, you can post the caption, “Hello July.”)
213. Stress less, enjoy more.
214. Be yourself, there is no one better.
215. Selfie on fleek.
216. Proof that I do selfies better than you.
217. I’m not trying to be cool, it’s just how I am.
218. Pretty on purpose.
219. You can’t get on my level.
220. Be less of them, more of you.
221. I may be down to earth, but I’m still above you.
222. Less perfection, more authenticity.
223. I’m not high maintenance, you’re just low effort.
224. All you need is love.
225. Chase goals, not people.
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Conclusion
I hope you found these selfie captions helpful. Remember, to increase engagement on Instagram, it’s not enough to just post selfies.
Selfies are awesome, but if your entire page is full of selfies, it will look like you have no friends.
When you go out with friends, ask them to take pictures of you; you can also ask random people on the street or at the gym, and most will be happy to comply.
I also recommend switching things up once in a while – you can post pictures of food, places you’ve traveled to, or beautiful sunsets.