Stories

Instagram Stories API

Fetch an account's currently live stories — the ones that expire in 24 hours — with direct image and video URLs, before they disappear.

Get your free key Read the docs

50 free credits on signup · no card required

curl "https://api.instagramapi.dev/v1/profile/stories?handle=nike" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $INSTAGRAMAPI_KEY"

const res = await fetch("https://api.instagramapi.dev/v1/profile/stories?handle=nike", {
  headers: { Authorization: `Bearer ${process.env.INSTAGRAMAPI_KEY}` },
});

res = requests.get("https://api.instagramapi.dev/v1/profile/stories?handle=nike",
    headers={"Authorization": f"Bearer {INSTAGRAMAPI_KEY}"})

What you get

Structured JSON, not raw HTML

▹Every currently active story on the account, with type (photo or video)
▹Direct image_url and video_url for each story
▹video_duration for video stories
▹taken_at timestamp showing exactly when it was posted
▹Pair with /profile/highlights for a profile's permanently saved highlight reels

Endpoints

Every endpoint behind this page

Get stories

2 credits

Currently-active stories for an account.

GET /v1/profile/stories

Get highlights

2 credits

Story highlight reels for an account.

GET /v1/profile/highlights

Example response

What comes back

{
  "data": {
    "items": [
      {
        "id": "3925236392186180177",
        "shortcode": "DZxabc12345",
        "type": "video",
        "taken_at": "2026-06-23T18:02:11Z",
        "image_url": "https://instagram.com/.../story.jpg",
        "video_url": "https://instagram.com/.../story.mp4",
        "video_duration": 14.2
      }
    ],
    "next_cursor": null
  }
}

{
  "data": {
    "items": [
      {
        "id": "highlight:17975319242920589",
        "title": "Just Do It",
        "media_count": 49,
        "created_at": "2025-09-10T18:33:44Z",
        "cover_image_url": "https://instagram.com/.../cover.jpg"
      }
    ],
    "next_cursor": null
  }
}

Response fields

Fields returned by GET /v1/profile/stories

Field	Description
items	The account's currently active stories.
id	Numeric story id.
shortcode	The story's shortcode.
type	Media type: photo or video.
taken_at	When the story was posted (ISO 8601, UTC).
image_url	URL of the story image (cover frame for video).
video_url	URL of the story video; null for photos.
video_duration	Story video length in seconds; null for photos.
next_cursor	Always null. This endpoint returns a single page and isn't paginated.

No login required

Nothing to authenticate but your API key

No OAuth flow

One static API key in an Authorization: Bearer header. No redirect, no refresh tokens, no expiring session.

No Meta app review

Never touch Meta's developer platform, Business Verification, or a connected Facebook Page. Sign up directly with Instagram API.

Public data only

Every endpoint returns only what's already visible on Instagram without logging in. Private accounts are never accessible.

Pricing

2 credits per request. Credits start at $8.00 per 1,000 and drop to $6.00 per 1,000 at volume — no subscription, no minimums. New accounts get 50 free credits.

See full pricing

FAQ