The Best Times to Post on TikTok in 2025: A Data-Driven Guide

TikTok continues to dominate the social media landscape in 2025, making it an essential platform for creators, brands, and marketers. However, with millions of videos uploaded daily, timing your posts strategically can significantly impact your reach, engagement, and virality.

Thanks to recent studies from Buffer and Hootsuite, we now have updated insights on the best times to post on TikTok in 2025. Let’s dive into the data and help you optimize your TikTok content schedule.

If you're looking to monetize your TikTok presence, check out How to Make Money on TikTok – Complete Guide for insights into monetization strategies that go beyond posting schedules.

Why Timing Matters on TikTok

Unlike platforms like Instagram or Facebook, where content can appear in feeds long after being posted, TikTok’s algorithm prioritizes fresh and engaging content. This means that posting at the right time can make the difference between your video getting buried or going viral.

TikTok’s algorithm considers watch time, engagement (likes, comments, shares), and user activity levels to decide which content to push to the For You Page (FYP). By posting at optimal times, you increase the chances of your content being seen by a larger audience.

Best Times to Post on TikTok (2025 Data)

Credit: Buffer

Timing plays a crucial role in maximizing engagement on TikTok. Based on an analysis of over 1 million social media posts from Buffer and Hootsuite, we can pinpoint the best times to post each day. The data suggests that afternoons and evenings generally yield the highest engagement, with specific peak hours depending on the day.

Recent studies from Buffer and Hootsuite provide a data-driven approach to finding the best times to post on TikTok. The Buffer heatmap graph (shown above) breaks down TikTok engagement levels by hour, based on 1 million social media posts.

Key Insights from the Buffer Heatmap:

• The darkest blocks indicate peak engagement times, while lighter blocks show low engagement periods.

• Evening posts perform best, particularly between 6 PM – 10 PM, confirming that TikTok users are most active later in the day.

• Early morning (2 AM – 6 AM) sees the lowest engagement, except for a slight increase on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 4 AM, possibly due to global audiences.

• Friday and Sunday evenings show strong engagement, making them great times for content with viral potential.

With this in mind, let’s break down the best posting times for each day of the week based on Buffer and Hootsuite’s findings.

Best time to post on TikTok on Monday

The best time to post on TikTok on Monday is midday between 12 PM – 2 PM. According to Hootsuite, this is when engagement peaks, likely because users check their phones during lunch breaks.

• Alternative high-engagement time: 7 PM (Buffer)

⏰ Recommended time: 12 PM – 2 PM

Best time to post on TikTok on Tuesday

Tuesday has one of the strongest engagement levels of the week, making it an ideal day to post. The highest engagement occurs in the afternoon between 12 PM – 4 PM (Hootsuite). Buffer data also suggests 4 PM as a key peak time.

• Secondary engagement spikes: 8 PM and 2 PM

⏰ Recommended time: 12 PM – 4 PM

Best time to post on TikTok on Wednesday

Wednesday is one of the best days to post on TikTok, with engagement peaking in the late afternoon between 5 PM – 6 PM (Buffer). Hootsuite also found 12 PM as an active window.

• Secondary peak times: 4 PM and 6 PM

⏰ Recommended time: 5 PM – 6 PM

Best time to post on TikTok on Thursday

The best time to post on TikTok on Thursday is between 4 PM – 6 PM, with 5 PM being the strongest engagement hour (Buffer). Engagement remains consistent from midday into the evening.

• Secondary posting time: 1 PM and 3 PM

⏰ Recommended time: 4 PM – 6 PM

Best time to post on TikTok on Friday

Friday posts tend to perform well, especially in the late afternoon and early evening. The peak time is 4 PM, with additional engagement spikes at 2 PM and 6 PM (Buffer).

• Evening content also does well, especially entertainment and music posts.

⏰ Recommended time: 4 PM

Best time to post on TikTok on Saturday

Saturday generally sees lower engagement earlier in the day, but it spikes in the evening between 10 PM – 12 AM (Hootsuite). Buffer suggests 5 PM as another key posting time.

• Alternative posting time: 4 PM and 7 PM

⏰ Recommended time: 10 PM – 12 AM

Best time to post on TikTok on Sunday

Sunday engagement is lower throughout the day, but 8 PM is a strong exception (Buffer). Hootsuite also found that 12 PM – 2 PM is an active window.

• Alternative peak times: 5 PM and 4 PM

⏰ Recommended time: 8 PM

Key Insights from the Data

1. Evening engagement is strongest

   • The best engagement windows typically occur after 4 PM, especially on weekdays.

2. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday are top-performing days

   • Wednesday has the highest overall engagement, making it an ideal day for important content.

   • Friday is great for entertainment-related posts leading into the weekend.

3. Sunday and Monday have lower engagement overall

   • While Sundays generally have lower activity, 8 PM is a strong exception.

   • Monday content performs best at midday rather than in the evening.

4. Late-night posting works on Saturdays

   • Unlike other days, Saturday’s best engagement happens at 10 PM – 12 AM, making it unique in TikTok posting behavior.

The Best Day of the Week to Post on TikTok

Determining the best day to post on TikTok depends on your target audience, content type, and industry. However, data from studies in 2025 suggest that Wednesdays and Fridays are the most effective days for driving engagement. The worst day of the week to post on TikTok is Saturday, when there’s a notable dip in views of TikTok posts shared on that day.

Why Wednesday is the Best Midweek Posting Day

Wednesday consistently ranks as a high-engagement day on TikTok. This is because:

• Users are actively engaging in content during work and school breaks – Many people check their phones during lunchtime (12 PM – 2 PM) and again in the late afternoon (4 PM – 6 PM).

• Midweek motivation is strong – People look for entertaining, informative, and motivational content to get through the rest of the week.

• Educational content thrives – Tutorials, "how-to" videos, and Q&A sessions tend to gain significant traction.

Example: A fitness influencer might post a “Midweek Workout Challenge” on Wednesday at 12 PM to catch users who need motivation to stay active during the week.

Why Friday is a Peak Engagement Day

Friday is another highly recommended posting day, especially in the evening (6 PM – 10 PM), because:

• Users are winding down from the week and have more time to scroll – Unlike earlier in the week, people aren’t rushing through content between meetings or classes.

• Entertainment content performs best – Music, dance trends, and funny videos get higher engagement as users prepare for the weekend.

• E-commerce and product promotions see spikes in activity – Many users browse TikTok for deals, product recommendations, and weekend shopping ideas.

Example: A fashion brand launching a weekend sale might post a “Best Weekend Outfit Ideas” TikTok on Friday at 8 PM.

What About Sundays?

While Sundays generally have lower engagement, there’s an exception in the evening (8 PM – 10 PM). This is because:

• Users are preparing for the week ahead – Many people check TikTok before bedtime to relax.

• Productivity and self-improvement content works well – Career tips, study hacks, and motivational content perform best.

Example: A business coach might post a “Sunday Reset Routine” video at 8 PM to encourage followers to plan for the upcoming week.

Days to Avoid Posting on TikTok

While TikTok engagement is strong every day, Mondays and Saturdays tend to have the lowest engagement:

• Monday mornings are slow for engagement as users focus on work and school.

• Saturdays have lower user activity during the day since people are out socializing, shopping, or spending time offline.

However, posting at the right time on these days (Monday at lunchtime and Saturday evenings) can still work.

Maximizing Your TikTok Strategy

Timing is just one factor in growing your TikTok presence. To truly stand out, you need a well-rounded content strategy that includes audience insights, engagement tactics, and monetization methods.

• How Much Does TikTok Pay in 2025? – Understand TikTok’s payout structure and how to maximize your earnings.

• Becoming a Micro-Influencer on TikTok: A Guide for Canadians – Learn how smaller creators can build influence and secure brand deals.

• Best TikTok Video Downloaders for Effortless Content Saving – Save inspirational TikTok videos to analyze trends and improve your own content.

• Best Time to Post on Instagram for Maximum Engagement – If you're growing on multiple platforms, knowing when to post on Instagram can complement your TikTok strategy.

Differences in Industries

The best time to post on TikTok can vary significantly based on industry. Different audiences engage with content in unique ways depending on their daily routines, interests, and how they use the platform. Here’s a deeper look at how different industries perform on TikTok and when to post for maximum engagement.

E-commerce and Product Reviews

E-commerce businesses and product reviewers benefit from posting during peak shopping hours, typically in the afternoon when people browse online or unwind after work.

• Best posting times: weekdays from 1 pm to 3 pm

• Example: a brand selling skincare products might post a before-and-after video of a new moisturizer at 2 pm when users are taking a break from work or school.

Weekend engagement is lower for e-commerce as people are often out shopping in physical stores rather than scrolling through TikTok for recommendations.

Fashion and Beauty

The fashion and beauty industry thrives on TikTok, especially with get ready with me videos, styling tips, and product launches. Posting later in the day, when users have time to watch longer content, tends to work best.

• Best posting times: Thursdays and Fridays from 3 pm to 6 pm

• Example: a beauty influencer doing a makeup tutorial for a Friday night look might see peak engagement posting around 5 pm before users head out for the evening.

Trendy fashion haul videos and styling challenges also do well over the weekend, particularly on Saturday mornings when people are planning their outfits for social events.

Food and Beverage

Food content is highly shareable on TikTok, with recipe videos, food hacks, and restaurant recommendations performing well. Since mealtimes influence when people think about food, posting at the right time is crucial.

• Best posting times: 11 am to 1 pm for lunch-related content, and 5 pm to 7 pm for dinner-related content

• Example: a restaurant posting a slow-motion video of a burger being made at 12 pm is likely to attract lunchtime viewers looking for food inspiration.

Late-night snack ideas and easy recipe content also see high engagement after 9 pm, particularly on Fridays and Saturdays when people are more likely to indulge.

Entertainment and Music

TikTok’s core audience consumes entertainment content at all hours, but engagement spikes in the evening when people are unwinding. This industry includes dance trends, comedy skits, movie promotions, and music releases.

• Best posting times: Fridays from 8 pm to 10 pm, Saturdays from 2 pm to 4 pm

• Example: a musician dropping a teaser of their upcoming single might get the most traction on a Friday night when people are in the mood to discover new music for the weekend.

Entertainment content also benefits from frequent posting, with creators often uploading multiple times a day to stay relevant.

Tech and Gaming

Tech content, including gadget reviews, gaming highlights, and software tips, sees engagement spikes in the evenings when users have time to explore new products or play games.

• Best posting times: weekdays from 7 pm to 9 pm

• Example: a gaming influencer might post a highlight reel of a competitive match at 8 pm when their audience is winding down and looking for entertainment.

Tech brands that focus on work-related gadgets may find success posting in the early morning around 8 am, when professionals check social media before starting their day.

Fitness and Wellness

The fitness industry on TikTok thrives on morning engagement as users look for motivation to start their day. Workout challenges, gym routines, and healthy lifestyle content perform best when posted early.

• Best posting times: 6 am to 9 am and again around 6 pm when people finish work

• Example: a personal trainer might post a quick bodyweight workout at 7 am to reach users who exercise before work or school.

Sunday evening is another key time for fitness content, as people look for motivation to start the upcoming week strong.

Business and Finance

Content related to business tips, personal finance, and productivity tends to perform best during work hours, when professionals are looking for bite-sized insights.

• Best posting times: weekdays from 9 am to 12 pm

• Example: a financial expert posting a budgeting tip at 10 am on a Wednesday is likely to attract engagement from users looking for quick advice between meetings.

This type of content also sees strong engagement on Sunday nights, as people plan their finances and work schedules for the upcoming week.

Understanding how different industries interact with TikTok helps tailor posting schedules for better engagement. The key is to align content with when users are most likely to be interested and available to consume it.

Summary: The Best Times to Post on TikTok

Analyzing over 1 million social media posts from Buffer and Hootsuite, the best times to post on TikTok in 2025 follow a clear pattern: late afternoon to evening is the optimal window for engagement.

Key Takeaways:

1. Peak Engagement Hours:

   • The best times to post generally fall between 4 PM – 10 PM, especially on weekdays.

   • Evening posts tend to perform better than morning or midday posts.

2. Best Days to Post:

   • Wednesday and Friday have the highest engagement throughout the day.

   • Tuesday and Thursday afternoons are also strong posting windows.

3. Worst Days and Times:

   • Monday and Sunday mornings tend to have lower engagement.

   • Early mornings (2 AM – 6 AM) generally see the least interaction, except for occasional spikes on Tuesday and Wednesday.

4. Industry-Specific Considerations:

   • Entertainment and music content thrives on Friday and Saturday nights.

   • E-commerce and product reviews perform best in the afternoon on weekdays.

   • Food and fitness content does well in the morning and early afternoon.

By following this data-driven posting schedule and adjusting based on audience behavior, content creators and brands can maximize their reach, engagement, and chances of going viral on TikTok.