To get tons of Instagram likes, start with a fantastic photo. But to truly stand out, you’ll need an amazing caption. A great caption can elevate your post, making your audience laugh, cry, and connect with your photo. And importantly, it can boost your visibility and attract more followers.
However, writing a funny caption is harder than it seems. Self-doubt can creep in, leading to a lack of confidence and even preventing you from posting. Our advice? Learn from the funniest Instagram users! We’ve compiled 33 top-notch captions from popular accounts and categorized them into four groups. Once you understand these categories, you can adapt them to your own posts and write witty captions effortlessly! Ready for 33 incredible Instagram captions that will make your likes soar? Let’s go!
Self-deprecating Instagram captions
One way to craft a funny caption is through self-deprecation. It’s a way to post pictures of yourself without seeming arrogant—you’re the butt of the joke, after all. It’s simple: choose something about yourself, big or small, and make fun of it. Just remember not to be too hard on yourself. Let’s look at Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the master of not taking himself too seriously.
1. The Rock gets head-y
_Caption: “_We’re all fatigued and tired. Long week.. I get it. But no matter how many days and nights you do it…you’re only as good as the last one you do. Grateful to grind. Let’s get to work. And my left knee looks like I’m smuggling a human head. #SaturdayNightFunk #WestCoastIronParadise” Some might be self-conscious about their knees or hesitate to post gym pics in tight leggings. Maybe The Rock feels the same way, but we’ll never know. By posting this and poking fun at himself, he shifts our attention to his message: The Rock is incredibly driven.
2. The Rock stays silly
Caption: “My warm up face is always different from my game face. Both are sexy & effective. T-minus 15min ’til game time. #ProjectRock #UnderArmour #ChaseGreatness” Let’s be real, “sexy and effective” might not be the first words that come to mind when you see this face on the king of action movies and early morning workouts. What is sexy? Humor. Confidence. These are what make this caption great.
3. Johnny Football is a polarizing dude. And he knows it.
Caption: “What I look like after scrolling thru my comments for 5 minutes..” Johnny Manziel is a known name among football enthusiasts. Many are disappointed that he chose a life of partying over fulfilling his potential in the NFL. What’s surprising about this caption? It shows self-awareness. Even he knows he can’t post a comeback photo without facing backlash. This caption acknowledges that reality. Let’s just hope he posted this from the gym.
4. Ryan Reynolds: humor suits him
Caption: “Bringing heavyweight drama to premier for the #LIFE movie… #SXSW. These guys are obviously wearing white tube socks under their suits.” Ryan Reynolds is undeniably handsome. However, he cleverly avoids coming across as arrogant by reminding everyone that he’s a regular guy with sock insecurities.
5. Paul Bissonnette: bad at hockey, good at social media
Caption: “Congrats to @zkass09 on his new deal. Can always respect a guy who’s been through a lot. We never ended up fighting in my NHL career because he’d always tell me I sucked and the coach told him to not waste his time when I’d ask him. Although I hate to agree with him and his coach, he probably would have beat me up anyway. So congrats again and thanks for not beating me up. #WasThisPostAboutHimOrMe” To put it simply, Paul Bissonnette is to hockey what the movie Cobra is to 80s action films—so bad, it’s good. He fully embraces his image as a washed-up player, which has earned him a massive social media following. In this caption, he wins over his audience by downplaying his fighting skills—the one thing that got him into professional hockey. The hashtag adds a layer of self-awareness.
6. Karlie Kloss: uber funny with the captions
Caption: “Trying to find my uber like…” Okay, Karlie Kloss is being pretty easy on herself here. But who hasn’t struggled to find their ride? She gets points for relatability.
7. Lena Dunham: postal worker
Caption: “Facially Grace looks like a young Jared Leto & I look like an elderly postal worker who makes brooches for her close friends #sisters” It’s hard to say for sure what an elderly postal worker looks like, but it’s probably not flattering. Lena Dunham justifies her selfie with this humorous comparison.
8. Coco haggles his way into some likes
Captions: “Visited an Arab market and became an expert at haggling. If ‘haggling’ means ‘paying full retail and then crying.’ #ConanIsrael #Jerusalem?” Late-night talk show host Conan O’Brien is known for playfully teasing his guests’ accomplishments. And we love that he doesn’t spare himself either. In this caption, he pokes fun at his own haggling skills, or lack thereof.
9. Kat Dennings puts cups on her eyes
Caption: “I get a lot done at the gym” Kat Dennings, known for her role in 2 Broke Girls, is also the girl who puts cups on her eyes to avoid working out. We can all relate to wanting to skip the gym, making this self-deprecating caption a winner.
“Imagine what they would say” Instagram captions
You’ve likely seen this type of caption frequently. As the name implies, you imagine what the subject of your photo would say if they could talk. While it works best with babies and animals, it can also be used with adults.
10. Pup, inhibited by cone, gets caught in doggie door
Caption: “Sharon, please just put down the phone and help me.” @icanteven Animals make great subjects for this type of caption because, well, they’re funny! Without the caption, the photo of the beagle stuck in the door is amusing but slightly pitiful. With the caption, we get a beagle who’s embarrassed and wants help. Much funnier.
11. Golden has a nose for the ball
Caption: “Put me in coach, I got a nose for the ball” @icanteven Here’s another example of pups struggling with human things: a very good boy showing he might not be cut out for the sport. The caption reflects his unwavering enthusiasm despite his lack of skill.
12. Baby as physical specimen
Caption: “I love this footage with all my soul. Walking into the @ufcpi in Las Vegas with my son Conor Jr. in hand. Look at his neck and back muscles and his total body control. I’ve watched this too many times. He is a specimen. We are styling too…” Conor McGregor is known for his self-assuredness, which has helped him gain fans, secure deals, and possibly even win fights. Is attributing that same swagger to his young son a funny social media tactic? We think so.
13. Armen Paul gets pensive
Caption: “Do you think bears remember going into hibernation when they wake up or do they just wake up scared and confused like the morning after I go to a Lady Gaga concert…” Musician and part-time comedian Armen Paul consistently delivers laughs online. This caption uses a stream-of-consciousness approach instead of direct commentary. When in doubt, share a random, outrageous thought.
14. Doggo does a thing
Caption: “Doggorino meets the beak boy (pls teach me ur ways)” The internet has birthed a new way of speaking, which some find grating, while others adore it.
Whether you find it annoying or not, “Doggo speak” is gaining popularity on Instagram. And there’s no shame in using your pet for likes—we’re all guilty of it.
15. Doggo says “thamk you”
Click to watch. Doggo speak isn’t easy to master, so here’s another example. This video gained traction across multiple accounts and news feeds, garnering tons of engagement. If you can capture your pet in a majestic wildlife encounter, set to a trippy keyboard tune, be ready for those likes!
16. Evil cat
Caption: “I told her that she’s the only thing I cared about evacuating with. ‘My drink won’t refresh itself, peasant’ she replied” While dogs are easy targets for humorous captions due to their enthusiasm and occasional cluelessness, cats offer a different kind of amusement. Their aloof and sometimes menacing nature makes for great material. Just look at that face – pure mischief!
17. #DogSelfie
Caption: “I leave my phone alone for 2 seconds… #DogSelfie #BeautyFilter” This caption falls more under the “imagine what they would do” category. You might know Allison Williams from Get Out and Girls, but did you know her pup is a pro at snapping selfies? The faux-selfie caption is a surefire winner, especially if you have a pet.
Wordplay Instagram captions
Wordplay captions are a personal favorite. Not only are they funny and obvious, but the more obvious the wordplay, the better. So embrace the cheesiness!
18. Minne-snow-ta
The New England Patriots might have lost the Super Bowl, but they won the internet with this caption. “Minne-snow-ta” is so bad, it’s good.
19. Bored of your job? Anastasia Ashley isn’t.
Caption: “Where do you take your board meetings? @freeconferencecall” Pro-surfer-turned-influencer Anastasia Ashley shows off her witty side with this punny caption. It’s good enough to have earned a place on our list, and it likely earned FreeConferenceCall some new customers.
20. Armen Paul likes turtles
Caption: “I like turtles.” If you missed the I Like Turtles Kid back in 2007, do yourself a favor and watch the video. These days, musicians need a strong online presence to succeed, and Armen Paul understands this. This simple but effective wordplay has helped him build a dedicated following.
21. Godzingis, #Shaqtin a fool
Caption: “SHAQTIN A FOOL HAS EYES EVERYWHERE” For those who aren’t basketball fans: “Godzingis” is the nickname of New York Knicks player Kristaps Porzingis. #Shaqtin is Shaquille O’Neal’s hashtag for calling out silly or clumsy plays – basically, “Shaqtin’ a fool.” This shows how wordplay can turn a name into a social media trend (it helps to be Shaquille O’Neal, though).
22. When bay leaves
Caption: “I just hate that feeling when…” Looking for silly wordplay? Look no further than Swedish model Tilda Lindstam, who uses “bae,” slang for “love interest,” to make a pun about bay leaves.
23. BaeGoals
Caption: “BaeGoals” Sometimes, a simple pun is all you need. This caption combines a popular internet meme with food for an easy win.
24. Karlie Kloss: not a biologist
Caption: “Spruced up” Karlie Kloss earns another spot on our list, proving she’s a master of both self-deprecation and wordplay. A diverse caption portfolio is key!
“Call out a friend” Instagram Captions
This last category involves making lighthearted jokes about your friends in your photos. As you’ll see, there are a few ways to go about it.
25. Chris Pratt gets wedged
Caption: “One more still from the @vanityfair photo shoot. I have to credit the brilliant photographer @markseliger who discovered me wedged between these two rocks. It took him all day to pull me out. I had been stuck there for hours. I had barely enough strength to stare pensively into the distance. I mean, it was bad. Anyways. I almost had to chew off the lower half of my body to get out. But I’m not flexible enough. Bottom line. I could have died. But thanks to the brilliant photographer @markseliger I’m alive to tell the story, which is currently being optioned for a movie.” Chris Pratt’s humor is in a league of its own, almost defying categorization. We put this one in the “call out a friend” category because the description sounds suspiciously like James Franco’s 24 Hours. What makes it work is that it adds humor to what could have been just another photo of someone staring off into the distance.
26. Sarah Silverman says a not nice thing
Caption: “Yo thanks to @antheaking @briandmagallones and the insufferable @micahmarcus for making me purty” This caption is a simple but effective way to call out a friend. Tag them, say something mildly insulting, and watch the engagement roll in.
27. You are…not the father
Caption: “Stealing John’s photo haha she’s not even his anyway” No one is safe from Chrissy Teigen’s captions, not even John Legend. The “he’s not the father” joke is popular among celebrities (Blake Lively has used it on Ryan Reynolds). And why not? A little teasing never hurts.
28. The “ageless” Hugh Jackman
Caption: “Happy Birthday to the ageless, one and only @thehughjackman” Ryan Reynolds strikes again with another great caption. This time, he’s poking fun at Hugh Jackman by using a photo from his younger years.
29. Patton Oswalt and his runaway
Caption: “About to have dinner at Alimento with this 14 year-old runaway I picked up at the reservoir.” That’s not a 14-year-old runaway, it’s Patton Oswalt’s wife, Meredith Salenger. This caption shows you don’t always have to be outrageous when calling out a friend—a little playful sarcasm can be just as effective.
30. Chelsea Handler calls out unwillingly photobombing man
Caption: “Skiing with my girlies. #whistler with a man in the back pretending there’s a game on.” Someone should create an account dedicated to men who are forced to be in photos. This man is either really engrossed in an imaginary game, or he’s trying to avoid participating in the photo. Regardless, he adds humor to the post.
31. Ryan Reynolds wishes his mom a happy Mother’s Day
Caption: “Happy Mother’s Day, Mom. You gave birth to me an excruciating 468 weeks late. I was 9. We were both so happy to be free.” Reynolds is back at it again with another fantastic caption, defying categorization. Is it absurd? Is it making fun of moms? Who knows. But it’s funny.
32. Swardson & Spade: big budget film guys
Caption: “Happy birthday to my right hand man @davidspade this is us in a scene from Braveheart.” While there’s a certain charm to Benchwarmers, it’s safe to say it’s not quite Braveheart. This caption works because it’s self-aware. Nick Swardson calls himself and David Spade out for not being dramatic actors, combining self-deprecation with a friend call-out.
33. Spaghetti Western Ted Cruz
Caption: “Still Love Ted Cruz’s work in FISTFUL OF DOLLARS.” Patton Oswalt takes a break from teasing his wife to take a jab at the GOP. This variation of the “call out” method is “call out your enemy.” That’s not Ted Cruz in the clip, but it’s funny to imagine it is.
Use these examples and tips to become an Instagram caption pro
We’ve explored four approaches to crafting compelling Instagram captions. By understanding these categories and adapting them to your own style, you’ll be on your way to becoming a caption pro. Remember to relax, have fun, and don’t overthink it. Now go forth and create engaging captions!
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