Trending Hashtags on Instagram: May 2025
A key part of any Instagram social media strategy is hashtags. At Metricool, we analyze over 100K of the most popular Instagram hashtags to find out which are the most used and trending each month.
These popular Instagram hashtags represent the most frequently used in Instagram posts, those with the largest reach, and the most engagement.
After analyzing these popular Instagram hashtags, we narrowed down the top 300+ each month and categorized them by theme or industry.
The 15 Instagram themes we defined are:
- Art
- Beauty
- Fashion
- Fitness
- Food
- Hair
- Humor
- Instagram
- Lifestyle
- Music
- Nature
- Pets
- Photography
- Travel
Do Instagram Hashtags Still Work in 2025?
The short answer is yes, Instagram hashtags still work. Though it’s been debated for quite some time now, in our expert opinion Instagram hashtags are still one of the best ways to expand the reach of your posts.
A caveat, however, is you need to have a good hashtag strategy. Trending hashtags alone are insufficient; understanding your target audience’s interests and preferences is key. Employing a blend of local hashtags to target niche audiences alongside popular and trending tags is recommended for maximizing reach and engagement.
A good hashtag strategy is only one piece to mastering the Instagram algorithm. If you want to maximize your Instagram reach and engagement, you need to make sure your Instagram strategy also includes:
- Good quality content
- Engagement with your audience
- An optimized Instagram profile
- Content publications at the right time
The Most Popular Hashtags on Instagram this Month
Make sure your brand and content are part of the conversation with these hashtags. Simply find your niche, copy the hashtags you want to use and paste them into your captions.
#Art Hashtags 🎨
Whether you are an artist, an art appreciator, or a frequent visitor of museums, when your Instagram account features art these hashtags will help expand your reach:
#art #artist #artwork #digitalart #artistsoninstagram #artgallery #artphotography #artdephu2021 #artdephu #artdephu1 #aiartcommunity #artcurator #inkart #animefanart #loveart #blackart #bodyart #foodart #artsy #nailart #streetart #painting #paintings #oilpainting #watercolorpainting #abstractpainting #modernpainting
#Beauty Hashtags
Makeup influencer, esthetician, skincare junkie, or cosmetics brand? In May, Spring and Summer beauty trends start to take shape. Highlight your beauty posts with these popular makeup, skincare, and beauty Instagram hashtags:
#beauty #beautyful #beautytips #beautytipsandtricks #beautyhack #beautytools #beautyproduct #beautylover #beautycare #beautyaddict #beautyblog #beautygram #beautymakeup makeup #makeuplover #makeuptutorial #makeuplooks #makeupartist #makeuptime #makeuplife #makeupparty #summermakeup #springmakeup #makeupslaves #skincare #skincareroutine #skincaretips #skincarelover #skincareproducts #skincarecommunity #skincareaddict #skincaredaily #skincareobsessed
#Fashion Hashtags
Fashion is always a trendy topic on Instagram. Met Gala-inspired looks at festival fashion are everything this month. Show off your outfit inspo, clothing hauls, and favorite seasonal looks and reach more like-minded fashionistas with these Instagram hashtags:
#fashion #fashionstyle #fashionblogger #fashionnova #fashionlover #fashionista #fashionweek #fashiongram #fashionmodel #ootd #outfitoftheday #ootdfashion #ootdinspo #ootdshare #ootdwomen #ootdmen #ootdgals #ootdstyle #style #styleinspiration #styleblogger #styletips #styleoftheday #styleguide #stylist #styles #styled #festivalfashion #drip #coachellafashion
#Fitness Hashtags
Everyone is trying to sculpt their summer bodies in May, so fitness and gym content is very popular on Instagram right now. Strengthen your content with these trending fitness hashtags:
#fitness #fitnessmotivation #fitnessmodel #fitnesslife #fitnessjourney #fitnessaddict #fitnessgoals #fitnesslifestyle #fitnessfreak #workout #workoutmotivation #workouttime #workoutathome #workoutoftheday #workoutroutine #workoutplan #workoutinspiration #workoutvideos #gym #gymlife #gymmotivation #gymtime #gymrat #gymflow #gymshark #gymlover #gymaddict #summerbodyloading #fitnessinspo #fitnessnation #fitnesstips #fitnessmostivationdaily
#Food Hashtags
Also known as foodie hashtags, food content is another popular Instagram topic. These Instagram hashtags not only make your mouth water but also help position your content better.
#food #foodie #foodphotography #foodlover #foodstagram #foodblogger #foodgasm #foodiesofinstagram #foodstylist #healthyfood #healthyfoodshare #healthyfoodlover #healthyfoodideas #healthyfoodporn #healthyfoodchoices #healthyfoodrecipes #healthyfoodie #healthyfoodblog #instafood #instafoodie #instafoodgram #instafoodlover #instafoodporn #instafoodphotography #instafoodblog #instafoodies #instafoodlover #foodspiration #foodilicious #foodgloriousfood #foodforthesoul #foodjunkie
#Hair Hashtags
Haircare is a growing industry outside of beauty. Whether you’re on a natural hair journey, want to share your salon’s skills, or recently got a new haircut, use these hashtags to celebrate hair in all its forms.
#hair #haircut #haircolor #hairtransformation #haircare #hairstyle #hairdresser #hairgoals #hairfashion #hairstyle #hairstyles #hair #hairinspiration #hairdo #hairideas #shorthair #longhair #hairfashion #hairtrends #hairinspo #hairstyle #haircut #haircolor #fashionhair #hairgoals #hairideas
#Humor Hashtags
Funny memes are always a classic on Instagram. For a laugh, add these hashtags to your funny Instagram posts:
#fun #funny #funnymemes #funnyvideos #funnyreels #funday #funinthesun funny #funnyvideos #funnyquotes #funnymemes #funnyanimals #funnycats #funnypictures #funnystories #funniestvideos #laugh #laughing #laughoutloud #laughdaily #laughmore #laughs #laughingfit #laughwithme #laughinghard #comedy #comedymemes #comedyvideos #comedycentral #comedians #comedyskit #comedyclub #comedynight #comedygold #funfacts #funstuff #funtimes #funloving
#Instagram Hashtags
Instagram-related hashtags are a great way to increase the reach of your posts– whatever the topic. Sprinkle them in with your niche hashtags to reach a more general audience, or use them to talk about Instagram itself.
#instagram #instagramtips #instagrammarketing #instagramstories #instagramforbusiness #instagramphoto #instagramlover #instadaily #instadailyphoto #instadailygram #instadailypic #instadailymoment #instadailylook #instadailyart #instagood #instagoodphoto #instagoodday #instagoodshot #instagoodlover #instagoodmood #instagoodstyle
#Lifestyle Hashtags
Instagram has become a journal for many users. GRWM, A Day in the Life, Storytime, and more are all popular ways to tell the world about your day. These hashtags are popular ways to show a little more about people’s lives.
#GRWM lifestyle #lifestyleblogger #lifestyledesign #lifestylephotography #lifestylechange #lifestyleguide #lifestylemodel #lifestyleinspiration #healthylifestyle #healthyliving #healthyfood #healthyeating #healthylifestylegoals #healthyrecipes #healthymind #healthylife #happiness #happinessis #happinessquotes #happinessproject #happinessday #happinessmindset #lifestylereels #lifestyleblogging #lifestylehacks #lifestyleart
#Music Hashtags
What would life be without music? Whether you’re a professional musician or simply a music appreciator, these hashtags will help your musical Instagram content reach a wider audience:
#music #musiclover #musiclife #musically #musicislife #musicvideo #musicproducer #musicphotography #musicfestival #song #songwriting #songlyrics #songs #songcover #songfestival #songbird #songsforlife #coachella #concert #concertphotography #concerts #concertlover #concertvibes #concertseason #concertphoto #musicdiscovery #musicnerd #musckids #musiceducation #musicnews
#Nature Hashtags
Sunsets, mountains, beaches, and more…Share your most Instagrammable nature shots with the world using some of these popular nature hashtags on Instagram:
#nature #naturephotography #naturelovers #naturelover #naturegood #natureshots #natureshooters #naturegram #naturebeauty #landscape #landscapephotography #landscapelovers #landscapes #landscapehunter #landscapelover #landscapedesign #landscapecaptures #landscapestyles #wildlife #wildlifephotography #wildlifeshots #wildlifeonearth #wildlifelovers #wildlife #wildlifeplanet #wildlifevision #wildlifeaddicts
#Photography Hashtags
As the social network for photos, photography hashtags remain popular on Instagram. For photographers, from amateur to professional, use some of these photography hashtags below:
#photo #photography #photooftheday #photographer #travelphotography #photoshoot #streetphotography #blackandwhitephotography #filmphotography #photoftheday -(Yes, with the typo!), #photobooth #photomodel #photoaday #photodaily #35mmphotography #petphotography #catphotography #photodump #sportsphotography #aerialphotography #canonphotography #nikonphotography #snapshot #snapshots #snapshotphotography #snap
#Pet Hashtags
Running your cat’s personal Instagram account? Does a local animal shelter need more adoptions? Vet clinic looking to expand your reach? These popular pet hashtags on Instagram are for you:
#pet #petstagram #frenchiepuppy #petsofinstagram #instapet #petsagram #petlovers #instapets #petlover #petoftheday #mypet #pets_of_instagram #petphotography #petlove #cutepets #petsofig #petfriendly #dog #dogsofinstagram #dogstagram #instadog #doglover #dogoftheday #frenchbulldog #dogsofinsta #lovedogs #cutedog #mydog #dogsofinstaworld #cutedogs #catsofinstagram #cats #catstagram #instacat #catlover #catoftheday #cats_of_instagram #catlife #ilovemycat #catsagram #blackcat #cutecat #catlove #kittycat #ilovemydog #doglife #puppy #puppylove #instapuppy #puppygram #puppyoftheday #puppylife #cutepuppy #puppydog #nationalpuppyday #huskypuppy #lovecats #cat
#Travel Hashtags
We all love to post our vacation destinations, especially in Spring/Summer. Share hidden spots you’ve discovered during our travels, and tell your friends and family about your latest adventures with these popular travel hashtags on Instagram.
travel #travelgram #travelphotography #traveltheworld #travelblogger #traveling #traveladdict #traveler #travelgoals #adventure #adventuretime #adventuretravel #adventureseeker #adventurethatislife #adventureculture #adventures #adventureinspired #adventurebound #wanderlust #wanderlusting #wanderluster #wanderlustvibes #wanderlustsoul #wanderlusters #wanderluststories #wanderlustlife #wanderlustworld #traveltheworld #travelfamily #travelreels #travelsmind #traveljournal
Need more hashtag inspiration? Try our FREE Instagram Hashtag Generator
We update this article monthly, so remember to come back and find the most popular hashtags in June!
If you’re looking for other trends on Instagram, rather than just hashtags, click the button below:
Find the Most Popular Hashtags on Instagram with Metricool
Search and add trending Instagram hashtags directly from the Metricool content planner tool.
If you’re subscribed to a Metricool Premium plan, you can search for the most relevant hashtags while scheduling your post and the number of publications that use that hashtag: type a keyword related to the topic of your content, and Metricool will show you related hashtags and the most popular ones.
This will help you determine whether or not it is convenient for you to add that hashtag to your post. Whether it’s necessary or it’s better to choose a different one.
Learn more about Metricool’s Instagram Hashtag Generator with this button:
Metricool Hashtag Tracker Tool
You can quickly find which hashtags your Instagram profile has used, and how often, with the Metricool hashtag tracker tool.
Go to Instagram on the left-hand side of your Metricool profile and select ‘Posts’ from the top of the page. This will take you to the ‘Posts published in a period’. Scroll down to find a list of hashtags used on your Instagram.
With the hashtag tracker tool, you can access:
- The content you with each hashtag
- The total number of Impressions per hashtag
- How many of your Instagram posts use that hashtag
- The total number of Likes per hashtag
- The total number of Comments per hashtag
How to Use Hashtags on Instagram
Using hashtags on any social media platform is all about relevance to your brand and content. While using the most popular hashtags may increase your content’s reach, it’s more likely to be buried by the algorithm in favor of more popular accounts. If your brand isn’t one of the most popular in its niche, you should use the most popular hashtags as a starting point and add additional words (your brand, or a product/event) that make it easier for your content to stand out to your target audience.
From a practical standpoint, hashtags can only contain letters and numbers, no spaces or special characters.
How Many Hashtags Should You Use on Instagram?
You won’t be able to add more than 30 hashtags to a post as Instagram will block the upload, so this is the absolute maximum number you can use. However, we recommend using 3-5 hashtags in your content.
