135 Great Selfie Captions for Pictures of Yourself on Instagram

Selfies are huge in the social media world. Back in the days when cameras used film, our albums were filled with staged group shots and individual portraits, intended to create a memory of a social gathering. These days, however, the ubiquitous smartphone has made it so easy and fun to take candid snapshots of ourselves that spontaneity has become an art form in itself.  Of course, the meticulously planned portraits are still very much reality, and hardly more so than when it comes to the selfie.

People love to share selfies on social media apps like Instagram, Facebook or Snapchat, sending their images to friends, family, and loved ones, or to the entire world. Although we think of selfies as being a new invention, in fact people have been taking selfies since cameras were invented; it’s just a lot easier now. The advent of the “selfie stick,” along with better front-facing cameras and wide-angle lenses, has made it easier to take selfies that don’t just feature a close-up shot of your nose (and perhaps a finger or two).  And as phones get better and better, with improved portrait modes and lighting effects, it’s obviously that the selfie trend isn’t going away any time soon. Whether you love snapping selfies, or you feel awkward stretching your arm out to take a picture of yourself, the era of fun self portraits is definitely here.

People take selfies for all sorts of different reasons, from capturing new haircuts, sharing makeup trends and outfits, to grabbing quick, intimate pictures with a close friend or loved ones. Selfies can boost your confidence, allow you to share the world around you with those thousands of miles away, and help raise your general attitude about life. They’re pure fun, with fun tools like filters to create an artistic shot of you and your friends without someone else playing photographer.

But if you’re going to put your selfie online, it probably needs an interesting caption to help capture the moment just the way you want to remember it. Maybe you’re not sure what to say, and that’s ok.  We’ve gathered a list of selfie captions for any occasion, so that whether you’re feeling witty or sarcastic or anything in between, you’re likely to find a caption from our list that’s perfect for you.

How to Take a Great Selfie

Before we get into the caption list though, let’s take a minute to help you set up a great selfie shot. Here are some solid tips we’ve compiled from around the Internet to help you up your selfie game.

Equipment Matters

Even a low-end smartphone has a pretty decent camera these days, so you can take a great selfie with any hardware you have handy, right? Not so fast. The reality check here is that cameras still vary widely in terms of quality, and even a camera that’s great at taking one kind of shot can be hot trash when it comes to the kind of portrait shot you’re looking for in a selfie. A real camera – you know, the boxes with actual optical lenses and physical dials for the settings – is often a far better instrument than your phone’s built-in imaging system. If you’re planning to use your phone as your selfie-cam, and if selfies are going to be a big thing for you, then you really need to check the specs and the reviews to see if you’re getting the right phone.

Whose Side Are You On?

It’s a cliche applied to vainglorious Hollywood types who insist on being photographed on “their good side” but in fact there’s something to it. Everybody has varying degrees of facial symmetry, and for the most part, the more symmetrical your face the more attractive other people perceive you as being. For most people, one side of their face is more aesthetically pleasing than the other, and knowing which side it is can let you know which elements of your face to optimize your selfies around. This is an area where it might be difficult for you to figure out the right answer using just a mirror – you might get help from friends, or use facial symmetry apps on your phone, to get a more objective appraisal. Then, emphasize that side of your mug when you’re taking your shots.

Know All the Angles

There are a lot of opinions about the best angle to take a selfie from, but for most people the consensus seems to be that the camera should be slightly above your line of vision, and pointing slightly downwards. This minimizes any under-chin issues you might be working with and de-emphasizes shadowy areas. Experts also agree that staring right at the camera should be out – you might look at or nearly at the camera, but avoid that grim thousand-yard stare.  Unless that’s what you’re going for… in which case, carry on.

Find Your Light

Natural light is beautiful light, but selfies in the sunlight can be harsh, especially if the sun is causing you to wince or squint. Photo mavens suggest that there are two perfect angles for sunlit shots – one where the sun is directly behind your head, giving you an angelic backlit glow, or one where the sun is right in front of you (and blocked by the camera) giving you a warm and sunkissed look. Sunset and sunrise are the best time to get the most beautiful natural light for your pictures, too.

It Doesn’t Have to Be Your Face

Selfies of other parts of your body are still selfies. You might want to have a reason for a specific body shot, like showing off a new blouse or a pair of shoes rather than just “hey, check out my rear end” but the selfie isn’t limited to just your mug shot.

Editing Is Not a Crime

There are so many easy photo optimizing apps and editing suites and image-management programs out there, most of them free and all of them powerful, that you’d have to exercise an artistic level of restraint NOT to indulge in a little editing of your important shots. You can even out shadows, soften glare, clean up skin tone – you don’t necessarily want to go full Photoshop and wind up with a strange shot of someone that looks like a wax robot off the set of the “Stepford Wives”, but you don’t have to take the first shot off your camera roll either. Feel free to do some editing to get your pics looking the way you want them to.

Feelin’ Myself

Let’s start off on the sassier side of things for those days when you’re feeling hot. These selfie captions are great for when you want to add a splash of fresh personality to your selfie caption, whether it’s sharp or self-deprecating.

• I like my coffee how I like myself: dark, bitter, and too hot for you.
• Not everyone likes me, but not everyone matters.
• Blood type: matte black with a hint of gold.
• Confidence level: selfie with no filter.
• You can call me queen bee.
• Less perfection, more authenticity.
• I’m a blur, a speeding bullet you can’t catch.
• There’s always a wild side to an innocent face.
• I don’t need your approval, darling. I have my own.
• Drink some coffee and pretend you know what you’re doing.
• Find me Where the Wild Things Are.
• I am the designer of my own catastrophy.
• Be a flamingo in a flock of pigeons.
• There’s no room for demons when you’re self-possessed.
• Seek respect, not attention. It lasts longer.
• Showing cleavage doesn’t fix your face.
• As beautiful on the inside as I am on the outside.

Fun and Playful

If you’re feeling like you’re in a bit of a creative mood, or if you’re a bit of a jokester, these might be perfect captions for your Instagram photos. They’re funny, witty, and inventive—just like you.

• Maybe she’s born with it; maybe it’s an Instagram filter.
• I’m headed to space with the rest of the stars.
• You don’t have to like me; I’m not a Facebook status.
• If at first, you don’t succeed, join the crowd.
• Just a girly-girl with a cave beast agenda.
• If you think nobody cares if you’re alive, post an ugly selfie.
• When nothing goes right, go left instead.
• I’m a model. My agency’s Instagram.
• Always remember that you’re unique. Just like everyone else.
• A selfie a day keeps the mental breakdown away.
• Yes, it’s true what they say about redheads like me.  All of it.  Don’t even bother starting.
• Always use a photographer you trust.  So… selfies.
• I had fun once—it was horrible. Never again.
• Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.
• Be a stiletto in a room full of flats.
• This shot goes out to all my exes.  Know your place.
• There may be no excuse for laziness, but I’m still looking.
• My only real long-term goal is never to end up on Maury. So far, so good.
• How much do I weigh? Sexified pounds.
• Meanwhile, at your local Walmart…
• Reality called, so I hung up.

Self-Deprecating

While psychologists warn that engaging in too much self-deprecation is bad for your self-esteem, a little bit of this kind of humor can show that you understand your own foibles and are willing to admit them, and even to poke fun at them. These self-deprecating captions are just the thing to let the world know you aren’t entirely an egomaniac.

• When you’re on your 28th selfie attempt and still refusing to acknowledge that this isn’t your day.
• New look, same mistakes.
• Will this outfit get me the man of my dreams? Tune in tomorrow for the next episode of “Nope”.
• People are surprised when I tell them I have a 4.0 GPA while working full-time and having an active social life…lies really open up my options.
• I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying.
• Mirrors: they show you what you lack, not what you have.
• How do you lower the difficulty setting on Tinder?
• All my imaginary friends says I need therapy.

Getting Real

If things have been feeling a bit dark or grim in the world lately, you aren’t alone. Not everything on Snapchat necessarily needs to be a joke, or a quirky comment, and these captions prove it. While we’ve stayed away from true downers, these selfie captions are perfect for when you’re feeling sincere, pensive, or in need of something uplifting.

• Never cry for a person that does not know the value of your tears.
• She’s a keeper. Too bad you didn’t.
• We take photos as a return ticket to a moment otherwise gone.
• Life is way too short for bad vibes.
• Growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional.
• There’s no law that says you have to be dissatisfied or disappointed with who you are.
• I’m trying hard to grow…please don’t walk on me!
• By the way, I’m wearing the smile you gave me.
• Because when you stop and look around, this life is pretty amazing.
• I shine from within; my very own star.
• When obstacles arise, you change your direction to reach your goal; you do not change your decision to get there.
• If you quit now, what were you even fighting for?
• Smile, breathe, and go slowly.
• And if you’re ever feeling lonely, just look at the moon. Someone, somewhere is looking at it, too.
• Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.
• Don’t let someone dim your light, simply because it’s shining in their eyes.
• Winning isn’t everything, but losing sucks.
• Make peace with your broken pieces.

Sarcasm

Like self-deprecation, sarcasm is something you have to be careful with. Like tequila, it’s something that is best in small doses most of the time. But when you want to lay down some sarcasm, here are the captions to use.

• Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until they speak.
• It’s okay if you don’t like me. Not everyone has good taste.
• Mirrors can’t talk, lucky for you they can’t laugh either.
• As you can see, I’m totally suffering without my ex.  I’m suffering so badly, I can’t stop smiling.
• I don’t have the energy to pretend to like you today.
• I’m sorry I hurt your feelings when I said you were stupid. I thought you already knew.
• Just because I don’t care doesn’t mean I don’t understand.
• If karma doesn’t hit you, I gladly will.
• I’d agree with you but then we’d both be wrong.

L-O-V-E

We all have those special people in our lives that fill our stomachs with butterflies every time we see them. Whether it’s an unrequited crush, the love shared between best friends, or true romance with another person, our hearts sing out for the love and respect we all want. These captions will warm the deepest part of your heart as much as your followers, and go great with those selfies of you and your someone-special.

• Always better together.
• Life is made of small moments like this.
• Wherever you go, go with all your heart.
• I think you are suffering from a lack of vitamin me.
• Be happy; it drives people crazy.
• Life goal:  to surround myself with the best people ever.
• I can’t fall asleep without a little help.
• Baby, I’ll take whatever it is you’ve gotta give, yeah I’m calling dibs.
• Two great tastes that taste great together.
• Make love your motto.
• Sorry I can’t chat.  Busy with my favorite person.
• Live, laugh, love. And if that doesn’t work, load, aim, fire.
• Promise me tomorrow starts with you.
• Hearts are wild creatures—that’s why our ribs are cages.
• Never break the chain.
• A true relationship is two imperfect people refusing to give up on each another.
• I fall too fast, crash too hard, forgive too easily, and care too much.

Just for Direct

Instagram is great for sharing photos of yourself and your surroundings to your feed to cherish forever, but Instagram Direct has taken over for Snapchat for millions of users. Instead of having to keep your photos split between two applications, you can choose to use Instagram Direct to send temporary photos and videos to your friends and family, all while being able to not worry about the repercussions of sharing those images. Direct offers most of the same features as Snapchat, including AR lenses, filters, and captions, all with the improved photo quality that can only be brought to you by Instagram.

If you’re looking for a caption to use to send Direct message to your best friends, consider one of these quips to add to your shot.

• We’ll be the ones to show them all who’s boss.
• My Life and the Curse of the Eternal Monday
• The uglier the Snapchat, the tighter the friendship.
• For a good time, just don’t call.
• Rough day, wonderful night.
• Too glam to give a damn.
• Sweatshirt kind of day.
• Morning coffee, because anything else is worthless.
• At the end of the day, all we have is who we are.
• If you can’t handle me at my double-chin snap, you can’t have me at my Instagram selfie.
• Anybody have plans to stare at their phone somewhere exciting this weekend?
• I’m not sure what to do with my face.
• Radiate positive vibes.
• That awkward moment when someone is watching you take a picture of yourself.
• This kid is going places—now to figure out where.
• Memes are the only thing saving me right now.
• Be yourself—everyone else is taken.

Short and Sweet

You can write a long post with your Instagram photos, but not everyone wants to do that. If you’re intent on keeping things simple, if not short, you’re probably looking for a caption that sums up your feelings in a direct, easy to read phrase. These offer a good mix of humor and feelings, all while keeping things short and to the point.

• Let’s just be who we really are.
• Broken crayons still color.
• The days are long but the years are short.
• Dream without fear. Love without limits.
• Never mind.
• Know yourself, know your worth.
• Happy life, happy mind.
• What you seek is seeking you.
• Don’t be easy to define. Let them wonder about you.
• I get lost in my thoughts.  Please send a search party.
• She’s different, and that’s everything.
• Coffee and confidence.
• Surround yourself with those who make you happy.
• You’re closer than you were yesterday.
• I take photos of everything.
• Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.
• Inhale the future. Exhale the past.
• I don’t care. I just do.
• Make it happen.
• Keep calm and take photos.
• You’ll never be as fabulous as a rainbow glitter llamacorn, but that doesn’t mean you should stop trying.
• Focus on what matters and let go of what doesn’t.
• The more I find myself, the more people I lose.
• Just because it didn’t last forever, doesn’t mean it wasn’t worth it.
• Short, sassy, cute and classy.
• We don’t remember days; we remember moments.
• Your hair is 90% of your selfie.
• Stop living life their way. Start living it yours.

Anything we missed?

That’s our list of 135 selfie captions for any reason, feeling, or moment. We hope you’ve enjoyed our selection. Let us know what you think of our list—we are positive you’ll find some that you’d like to use for your selfie captions. Have another favorite selfie caption you’ve used? Let us know your favorites in the comments section below.

And don’t forget about your other pictures, because they need captions too!

Check out our list of captions for couples.

We’ve got captions for your boyfriend!

We’ve got captions “just for us girls”!

We’ve got funny captions to share with anyone in your life.

Here’s some captions for your ex.