Timing your posts right on Reddit can be the difference between getting ignored and hitting the front page. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly when to post on Reddit for maximum reach, how it varies by subreddit, and how to use our tool to get it right every time.
Reddit Post Timing Analyzer
How it works
- Subreddit-specific insights: Enter any subreddit (e.g.,
r/AskReddit) and instantly get tailored recommendations. - Best day and hour to post: The tool analyzes top post performance to show which day and exact hour (in UTC) yield the most upvotes and comments.
- Heatmaps by day and hour: Visual charts reveal posting activity and effectiveness. Darker blocks = higher engagement.
- Key metrics included: See the average score and comment count per post for that subreddit.
TL;DR: When Is the Best Time to Post on Reddit?
The best time to post on Reddit is typically between 6 AM and 9 AM US Eastern Time, especially on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. These windows align with peak user activity and give your post a chance to build momentum and rise to the top. Use scheduling tools like REDDITUPVOTE.NET to time your posts, and always consider your target audience’s time zone.
Why Timing Matters on Reddit
Reddit’s ranking algorithm favors content that gains upvotes quickly. That means if you post while most users are asleep or offline, your post might go unnoticed before it ever gains traction.
Here’s why timing your Reddit posts correctly is crucial:
- Reddit’s Hot Algorithm is time-sensitive: Posts with early engagement are more likely to be shown to others. Once a post starts to climb, it becomes self-reinforcing.
- User habits vary by day: Weekends and early weekdays (especially mornings) show higher engagement, as users tend to browse Reddit over coffee or breakfast.
- Different subreddits = different behaviors: A gaming community might be active late at night, while r/AskReddit peaks early in the morning.
You could have a great post, but if it’s published when no one is looking, it won’t go anywhere.
Pro tip: Even high-quality posts will underperform if published at the wrong time.
Best Global Time to Post on Reddit
If you’re targeting a broad, international audience, focus on when Reddit’s total user activity peaks.
Based on traffic patterns and multiple posting experiments, the global best times to post on Reddit are:
- Monday to Sunday: 6 AM – 9 AM Eastern Time (ET)
This window consistently delivers the highest engagement across most subreddits. - Saturday and Sunday mornings:
These are gold. Users tend to be more active, with fewer work distractions, and more time to read, comment, and upvote. - Avoid weekday afternoons:
Engagement often dips once people start work or shift their attention elsewhere. If you post after lunch EST, it’s likely too late for your post to reach the hot list that day.
This timing aligns with the U.S. morning hours, important because about 50% of Reddit’s traffic comes from the U.S. Even if your audience is global, syncing with U.S. peak times gives your post more visibility.
But what if your audience isn’t in the U.S.?
- For European audiences, aim for 7–10 AM GMT
- For Asia-Pacific, test posting between 6–9 AM local time, but results may vary
Pro Tip: Always adjust based on your target subreddit’s dominant user base.
Best Time to Post by Day of the Week
Reddit activity follows a consistent rhythm throughout the week.
Here’s a breakdown of the best posting times by day, based on U.S. Central Time (CT):
| Day | Best Time to Post (CT) |
|---|---|
| Monday | 6 AM – 8 AM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM – 8 AM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM |
| Thursday | 4 AM – 8 AM |
| Friday | 12 AM – 2 AM and 6 AM – 4 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM – 9 AM |
| Sunday | 6 AM – 10 AM |
Why these times work:
- Mornings: Users check Reddit during breakfast or commutes.
- Weekends: People have more time to browse, comment, and engage.
- Early Fridays: Users often browse late Thursday night into early Friday.
By posting within these windows, you give your submission the best shot at getting early upvotes, which are critical for making it into the “Hot” section.
Bonus tip: Schedule your post to go live just before the peak hour starts to get ahead of other submissions.
Best Times to Post in Top Subreddits
Each subreddit has its own rhythm.
Posting at the right time in the right community matters more than following a global average.
Here are some tested time slots for popular subreddits:
| Subreddit | Niche | Best Time to Post (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| r/AskReddit | General/Q&A | Monday 7 AM, Friday 8 AM |
| r/Funny | Humor/Memes | Friday 11 AM, Wednesday 12 PM |
| r/Gaming | Gaming | Tuesday 8 AM, Wednesday 2 PM |
| r/Movies | Entertainment | Monday 9 AM, Tuesday 4 PM |
| r/technology | Tech News | Tuesday 9 AM, Thursday 10 AM |
| r/worldnews | News/Politics | Monday 6 AM, Thursday 8 AM |
| r/pics | Visual Content | Sunday 9 AM, Monday 7 AM |
| r/science | Science/Research | Wednesday 10 AM, Friday 8 AM |
| r/explainlikeimfive | Education | Tuesday 9 AM, Thursday 9 AM |
| r/DIY | Home/Projects | Saturday 9 AM, Sunday 10 AM |
| r/food | Cooking/Food | Friday 11 AM, Sunday 9 AM |
| r/LifeProTips | Self-Help/Tips | Monday 8 AM, Thursday 8 AM |
| r/mildlyinteresting | Curiosity | Wednesday 9 AM, Saturday 10 AM |
| r/dataisbeautiful | Data/Design | Tuesday 10 AM, Thursday 11 AM |
| r/investing | Finance/Investing | Monday 8 AM, Wednesday 9 AM |
| r/Entrepreneur | Business | Monday 9 AM, Thursday 10 AM |
| r/relationships | Advice | Sunday 8 AM, Monday 7 AM |
| r/nosleep | Fiction/Horror | Friday 10 PM, Saturday 11 PM |
| r/aww | Pets/Wholesome | Sunday 10 AM, Tuesday 9 AM |
| r/Art | Visual Arts | Saturday 11 AM, Sunday 9 AM |
For more specific details, please use our tool above.
Why Reddit Timing Differs from Other Platforms
Reddit isn’t like Instagram or Facebook. Timing strategies that work on other platforms don’t always apply here—and here’s why:
1. The “Hot” Algorithm Is Unique
Reddit ranks posts using a combination of upvotes and time.
New posts that get early engagement climb fast. But once a post starts aging (even by a few hours), it’s harder to surface again.
On platforms like Facebook, content can be reshown later. On Reddit, timing is more like a one-shot launch window.
2. Users Browse More Intentionally
Redditors (Reddit users) tend to read threads carefully, comment in-depth, and follow conversations. Many avoid endless scrolling and instead visit specific subreddits.
This means:
- Weekday lunch breaks might work on Twitter (X) or Instagram, but not on Reddit.
- Weekend mornings or workday mornings are stronger because users set aside time to browse.
3. Subreddit Feed Logic
Unlike social platforms that show posts based on interest or recency, subreddit feeds often default to “Hot” or “Top.” If your post doesn’t get early votes within the first hour or two, it likely disappears.
xOn Reddit, early traction is everything. You need to post when your target audience is online and ready to engage.
Should You Post on Weekdays or Weekends?
Both weekdays and weekends can work—but each has different strengths depending on your goals and audience.
Weekday Posting (Mon–Fri)
Best if you want to:
- Reach professionals during early morning or lunch breaks
- Post educational, news, or productivity content
- Target communities like r/technology, r/investing, or r/Entrepreneur
Peak hours:
- 6 AM – 9 AM ET
- 11 AM – 1 PM ET (lunch scroll window)
Watch out: After 3 PM ET, engagement tends to drop sharply.
Weekend Posting (Sat–Sun)
Best if you want to:
- Post meme, story, or hobby-related content
- Reach relaxed users with time to browse and comment
- Target subs like r/Funny, r/aww, r/nosleep, or r/DIY
Peak hours:
- 7 AM – 10 AM ET
- Sometimes up to 12 PM ET depending on the subreddit
Why it works: Users spend more time reading and engaging on weekends. Posts can stay active longer since fewer new posts flood the feed.
If you can only post once a week and want max traffic, go with Saturday or Sunday morning.
If you have content suited for professionals or breaking news, aim for Monday morning.
How to Handle Time Zones on Reddit
Reddit is a global platform, but most of its traffic still comes from Tier 1 countries, especially the United States. To maximize reach, you need to post according to your target audience’s local time.
General Rule:
Use U.S. Eastern Time (ET) as your default if you’re targeting:
- r/AskReddit
- r/Funny
- r/Movies
- r/Gaming
- Most biggest karma farming subs
This is because:
- Almost 50% of Reddit traffic comes from the U.S.
- Most subreddits are moderated and driven by U.S. users
Adjust for Specific Regions:
| Audience Region | Recommended Time Zone | Peak Posting Time |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Eastern Time (ET) | 6–9 AM ET |
| United Kingdom | GMT or BST | 7–10 AM local time |
| Europe (general) | Central European Time | 8–11 AM local time |
| Australia | AEST | 6–9 AM local time |
| India | IST | 7–10 AM local time |
Tip: If you’re posting in a niche subreddit (e.g., r/India or r/Europe), always localize your timing.
Reddit Posting FAQ
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about timing posts on Reddit:
What is the best time of day to post on Reddit?
6 AM to 9 AM Eastern Time, especially on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. This window gives your post the best chance to gain early upvotes and hit the “Hot” section.
What are Reddit’s peak hours?
Peak usage happens:
- Weekdays: 6 AM – 9 AM and 11 AM – 1 PM (ET)
- Weekends: 7 AM – 12 PM (ET)
Should I post on weekends?
Yes, especially if your content is story-based, humorous, hobby-related, or visual. Weekends offer longer browsing sessions and higher engagement.
For more details, please take a look at the article Best Reddit Content Types on our blog.
Where should I post for the best results?
That depends on your niche. Use high-traffic subreddits relevant to your content (e.g., r/AskReddit, r/Funny, r/science). Also, look for smaller, engaged communities where your post can dominate quickly.
Does Reddit rank posts based on time?
Yes. Reddit’s algorithm gives a strong initial boost to posts that get early votes
That’s why posting during active windows is critical.
Timing + first-hour engagement = visibility.
Should I use upvotes to boost my post early?
If your content is solid but your account is new, early upvotes can help your post escape the new filter and get seen. Just make sure the upvotes match real engagement quality.
Purchasing upvotes from redditupvote.net always helps!
Conclusion
If you want your Reddit posts to succeed, timing is one of the most important variables you can control.
Here’s a quick recap:
- Best general time to post: 6 AM – 9 AM (Eastern Time), especially on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday
- Best days: Weekends for high engagement and visibility. Early weekdays for business and news-focused content.
- Account for time zones: Align your post with the local time of your target audience.
- First-hour engagement matters most: Reddit’s algorithm heavily favors posts that gain traction quickly.
- Combine good timing with quality content: Great timing can’t save weak posts, but it can supercharge good ones.
And remember: even if you miss the perfect time, a well-written post in the right subreddit can still take off.
