In this article, you’ll learn what a TikTok carousel is, the correct formats and sizes, and how to create, schedule, and publish carousel posts using SocialBee.

What is a TikTok carousel?

A TikTok carousel is a Photo Mode post that lets you share 2 to 35 images in a single, swipeable format, allowing viewers to move through the content manually instead of watching a video.

Unlike slideshows, carousel images do not auto-play, which gives users full control over how they consume the content.

You can still add a caption and music, just like with regular TikTok posts. Carousels are great for tutorials, tips, or showing several ideas at once without turning them into a video.

TikTok carousel formats and sizes

TikTok carousels let you share multiple images in one swipeable post, but limits vary by publishing method. When posting natively on the TikTok app, you can upload 2-35 images in JPG or PNG format, using a vertical 9:16 aspect ratio. When publishing TikTok carousels through SocialBee, you can directly post up to 12 images, also in JPG or PNG format, with the same 9:16 vertical layout.

While TikTok technically allows up to 35 images, that number is usually too high for engagement. In practice, 5-10 slides work best. This keeps the carousel easy to swipe and helps users reach the final slide.

Can you schedule TikTok carousels?

Yes, but not inside TikTok itself. While TikTok’s native scheduler only supports video posts, third-party schedulers like SocialBee let you plan and publish carousel posts directly.

You can also work on posts with your team, leave notes, get approvals, track performance, and manage multiple TikTok accounts alongside other social media platforms from one place.

Do you need a Business TikTok account to schedule TikTok carousels?

You can’t schedule a photo carousel post natively on TikTok, but you can do it with a social media management tool like SocialBee.

TikTok’s native scheduling comes with limitations. The Video Scheduler requires a Creator or Business account and only supports video posts, which means carousel posts can’t be scheduled directly in TikTok at all.

On the other hand, with SocialBee, TikTok carousel posts can be published directly from both Personal and Business profiles, as long as the carousel stays within the supported limits of up to 12 images and 20 MB per image. 

Connect your TikTok profile to SocialBee

Before you can schedule posts, make sure your TikTok profile is connected.

1. Log in to your SocialBee account here and scroll down to the “Connect a new profile” section.
2. Click “+Profile” under “TikTok.”

3. When prompted, authorize SocialBee to access the necessary permissions by clicking “Authorize.” You’ll then be redirected back to the platform.

Once connected, your TikTok profile will appear in your dashboard. The next step is to start managing your posting strategy. 

Are you ready to maintain a consistent posting schedule and consolidate your TikTok presence?

How to create, schedule, and post carousels on TikTok

SocialBee lets you plan TikTok carousel posts in advance, so you don’t have to post manually. You can upload images, add captions and hashtags, set privacy options, and schedule posts to go live at the best time.

Here’s how to easily schedule TikTok carousels from SocialBee:

1. Click "Create post" at the top of your dashboard to open the Post Editor.

2. Select your TikTok profile from the left sidebar.

3. SocialBee automatically enables "Customize each", giving you access to TikTok-specific settings. Click on “Proceed” when prompted.
4. From the drop-down menu, choose who can see your post by setting the privacy level to "Public", "Mutual Follow Friends", or "Only me".

5. Allow or disable comments, duets, and stitches using the available toggles.

6. (Optional) Turn on the “Content disclosure” toggle and select the appropriate label: “Your brand,” “Branded content,” or both. This will apply the correct disclosure, such as “Promotional content” or “Paid partnership.” 

7. Upload the images you want to include in your carousel. You can add up to 12 images for direct posting.

8. Click the "pencil" icon on top of your image to crop, flip, or resize your visuals.

9. Type your caption directly in the text box, or click the "AI" button to generate a TikTok caption.

10. Use the Hashtag Generator (wand and hashtag icon) to find relevant hashtags for your content. You can save and reuse hashtag sets by clicking the "#" icon.

11. Format your caption using bold, italic, or strikethrough text, and add emojis if needed.

12. Assign the post to a "Post category" to keep your content organized by topic, format, or campaign.
13. Choose when the post should go live:
    • Select "Post now" to publish immediately.
    • Select "Post at a specific time" to schedule the post. SocialBee will suggest optimal posting times based on past performance.
14. Enable "Re-queue after posting" to automatically reshare the post later, or turn on "Expire post" to remove it after a set date.

15. Check the live preview on the right side of the editor and make any final adjustments.
16. Set the post status:
    • Toggle "This is approved" to schedule or publish the post.
    • Choose "This is a draft" if it still needs to be reviewed.
17. Click "Create post". SocialBee will publish the post automatically at the scheduled time.

Best practices for creating TikTok carousels

TikTok carousels aren’t just multiple slides in one post. They’re a chance to walk someone through an idea, one swipe at a time. When they work, it’s usually because the content is easy to follow, clearly useful, and gives people a reason to keep going instead of scrolling past. 

To create best-performing carousels, try these best practices:

• Nail the first slide (this is your hook). The first slide should explain the value of the post immediately. Treat it like a headline. Say what the carousel is about and why it’s worth swiping. 
• Build a swipe narrative. Each slide should naturally lead to the next. Think in sequences, not standalone images. This can be chronological (step 1, step 2, step 3) or logical (problem, explanation, solution).
• Keep each slide to one idea only. Don’t overload slides with multiple points. One slide should communicate one message clearly. 
• Optimize for saves. Carousels perform well when people want to come back to them later. Focus on practical content like checklists, tips, comparisons, or short frameworks.
• Turn the carousel into a game. You can increase engagement by giving people a reason to keep swiping. This might mean revealing an answer at the end, or ranking items from worst to best.
• Use TikTok carousels as mini-guides. Carousels work well for explaining small, self-contained topics. Use a carousel next time you create a step-by-step tutorial. Formats like “How to set up X,” “What to fix first,” or “A quick walkthrough” are easy to follow and fit swipe-based behavior well.

Frequently asked questions

How many photos can you include in a TikTok carousel?

You can add between 2 and 35 images to a TikTok carousel when you post directly in the app. If you’re posting through SocialBee, you can add up to 12 images per carousel. 

Do TikTok carousel posts actually do well on the platform?

Yes, carousels tend to perform well because people have to actively swipe instead of just watching. Each swipe is a signal that someone’s interested, and it also increases how long they spend on the post. 

TikTok’s algorithm prioritizes posts that generate engagement and hold attention, so higher interaction and longer watch time increase the chances of a post being pushed to more users.

Based on posting patterns data we analyzed, carousels consistently outperform most formats. They account for 14.8% of all high-engagement posts, beating both video (9.7%) and text (9.1%).

Images still lead overall, making up 44.8% of top-performing posts, while link posts account for 21.5%, showing that external content can perform well with the right framing.

Together, images and carousels drive nearly 60% of all high-engagement content, which is why visual-first formats remain the most reliable option across platforms.

Can you make a carousel with videos?

No, TikTok carousels are image-only posts. You can’t upload separate video clips as slides. If you need motion or sound on every slide, a regular TikTok video is the better option.

What’s the difference between a TikTok carousel and a slideshow?

A TikTok carousel is a post with multiple photos that users swipe through manually. A TikTok slideshow (often referred to as photo slideshows) is an auto-playing video created from images in your camera roll.