Quick answer
How is engagement rate calculated?
Engagement rate is the average interactions per post divided by your followers, times 100. An account with 12,000 followers that gets 5,200 likes, comments, shares and saves across 10 posts averages 520 per post, which is an engagement rate of about 4.33%.
- Formula: (likes + comments + shares + saves) ÷ posts ÷ followers × 100
- Instagram guide: 1–3% average, 3–6% good, 6%+ excellent
- For Reels and video: also check engagement by views
How is engagement rate calculated?
The engagement rate calculator adds up the likes, comments, shares and saves on the posts you count, works out the average per post, and divides it by your followers.
Say a YouTube channel has 8,000 subscribers and its last 10 videos earned 2,400 likes, comments and shares in total. That is 240 per video, and 240 ÷ 8,000 × 100 = 3%. For YouTube, the calculator labels that average.
If you also enter the total views for those posts, you get a second figure: engagement by views. A Reel with 1,500 interactions from 40,000 views has an engagement rate by views of 3.75%. Use the follower figure to compare accounts and the views figure to judge a video.
What is a good engagement rate?
Benchmarks vary by niche, country and account size, so treat these as a rough guide. On Instagram, 1–3% is typical, 3–6% is strong, and above 6% is excellent. TikTok rates tend to be higher, and YouTube is often measured by views instead. The calculator uses these bands, based on engagement by followers:
| Rating | YouTube | TikTok | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | Under 1% | Under 2% | Under 3% |
| Average | 1–3% | 2–4% | 3–6% |
| Good | 3–6% | 4–8% | 6–10% |
| Excellent | 6% and above | 8% and above | 10% and above |
Smaller accounts usually score higher than large ones, so compare yourself with creators of a similar size in your niche.
How can I improve my engagement rate?
- Post consistently at the times your audience is online
- Ask a clear question or give a reason to save or share
- Reply to comments in the first hour
- Use Reels and carousels, which tend to get more interactions
- Remove inactive or fake followers, which drag the rate down
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate Instagram engagement rate?
Add up the likes, comments, shares and saves on your recent posts, divide by the number of posts to get the average, then divide by your follower count and multiply by 100.
What is a good engagement rate on Instagram?
As a rough guide, 1–3% is average, 3–6% is good and above 6% is excellent. Smaller accounts usually have higher rates than large ones.
Should I calculate engagement by followers or by views?
By followers is the standard for comparing accounts and pitching brands. By views is more useful for Reels, YouTube and TikTok, where many viewers don’t follow you.
Why is my engagement rate dropping as I grow?
Engagement rate usually falls as follower count rises, because a larger audience includes more casual followers. Brands compare you with accounts of a similar size.
Do saves and shares count towards engagement rate?
Yes. The calculator adds likes, comments, shares and saves, because all four show active interest. Enter shares and saves together in one box.
How many posts should I use to calculate engagement rate?
Use at least your last 10 posts, the calculator’s default, so one unusual post doesn’t skew the average. Leave out ads and boosted posts, which reach people who don’t follow you.