Start with the maths
Short videos vary a lot in length, but 30 seconds is a fair guess. At that length:
| Reels per day | Roughly | Over a year |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 15 minutes | about 91 hours |
| 100 | 50 minutes | about 300 hours |
| 250 | 2 hours | about 760 hours |
It's a rough guide, since actual time depends on video length and how long you linger. But it makes the point: a number that sounds small can be a lot of hours once you multiply it out.
The better question
Instead of "what's the right number", ask what those hours would otherwise be. If 100 Reels replaces a commute you'd spend staring at nothing, that's one thing. If it replaces sleep, study or time with people you like, it's another.
Some starting points
- Studying for something important: zero, for a while.
- Normal weeks: 20 to 40 is where many people land. Enough for a real break.
- Currently at 200+ a day: don't jump to 20. Halve it, hold it for a week, then halve again.
How to find your real number
Most people guess low. Count for two days without trying to change anything, then set your limit about a quarter below that. The Brainrot app keeps a 7-day history for exactly this reason, but any tally works. After a week or two, drop it a little more.
If you keep hitting your cap by lunchtime, the number is too low or the cravings are telling you something. Adjust it, don't fight it.
