Have you recently woken up to discover that Instagram is a 24/7 cringe fest? Even worse, have you come to the shocking realization that you’re part of the problem — and 99 percent of the captions you willingly add to your social media feed are dripping with cheese (of the cheap burger variety, not the sophisticated French type)?
It’s one of those game-changing moments, because you can’t unsee it once you see it. This leaves you with two choices. Learn how to write non-cringey Instagram captions that don’t make you want to sink into the ground, or smash that Wifi box and never look back.
Considering the fact that you’re here, reading this guide to writing non corny Instagram captions, we’ll assume you’ve chosen option one. Your boot camp starts here, and the cringe ends now.
What Are Not Cringe Instagram Captions? How Do You Write Them?
To understand how to kiss the cringe goodbye forever, you first have to learn to recognize it, so let’s start there.
There’s no denying that cringe is in the eye of the beholder, but we can still all agree on a definition. Cringey Instagram captions come off as fake, attention-seeking, cliché, and cheesy. They often rely on overused phrases that might have been cool at some point but lost their power years ago. They are so bad that any Instagram user unlucky enough to come across them feels second-hand embarrassment simply by reading them.
Here’s how to write an Instagram caption that drips with cringe:
- Don’t write anything that’s directly relevant to your picture. Only rely on overused platitudes about life that have very little, if anything, to do with you. If possible, combine multiple different clichés to create a meta-cliché so big it will reverberate in outer space.
- Use your caption to shamelessly beg for likes and comments. Even worse, imply that you’ll be very sad if you don’t get what you want in an empty bid to get people to pity you.
- Use lots of emojis — the more, the better, and earn bonus cringe points by using numerous copies of the exact same emoji.
- Use as many exclamation marks as you can, but ideally at least three.
- Use all caps and fail to punctuate your captions properly for an extra level of cringe. Make lots of typos.
- Shower your followers with insincere displays of affection.
Non cringey Instagram captions are the exact opposite of this.
They are genuinely creative, show authentic emotion, are directly relevant to the photos they accompany, and engage the audience without relying on clickbait tactics. They add value and have meaning, and they keep things real.
It’s important to note that non cheesy Instagram captions aren’t just about the words you write, but about the interplay between the caption and the photos they accompany. Even popular and terribly overused phrases that would be cringe in most contexts can become not cringe Instagram captions in the right setting.
Take “too glam to give a damn,” for example. This overused phrase is generally one of the worst offenders, but it gains a funny twist if you post it alongside a picture of your sleep-deprived, caffeine-starved face on a Monday morning.
By the way, succeeding in making your Instagram captions not cringe doesn’t necessarily mean you have good captions. It just means your captions are sincere, relevant, and not terribly embarrassing. Once you’ve got that part down, you’re well on your way to mastering the art of crafting truly engaging captions that your followers will look forward to reading.
The Worst Cringey Instagram Captions: Examples of What Not to Do
OK, let’s get you started with some examples of formats you need to leave behind if you’re committed to posting not cringy Instagram captions from now on. Here are some examples of common but terribly cringe captions you’ve probably already seen on the ‘Gram:
- OMG GUYS, CAN YOU EVEN HANDLE HOW AMAZING DIS PIC IS?! 😱😍💯🔥💥💥💥
- Just remember, babes, you’re a unique unicorn in a sea of basic b*tches! 🦄✨
- I woke up like this. ✨😱😂😇
- ✈️🚶🌍️❤️❤️❤️ “Not all those who wander are lost.” — JRR Tolkien ❤️❤️❤️ ✈️🚶🌍️
- Blessed, not stressed, and living my best life.
- In a 🌍️ where you can 🐝 anything, choose to be kind. 🥹 Like this post and don’t forget to leave a comment ⬆️⬆️⬆️, so you can spread the 🎉 and make the world a better place!
- I’m wearing the smile you gave me.
- You are my love language and my cure 🌟🌟🌟🌟🎉🎉❤️❤️😎😎😭😭🥂
You get the idea, so let’s stop there and see how to leave this nonsense in the past and write winning non cringy Instagram captions instead!
Non Cringey Instagram Captions for Selfies
- Don’t talk to me until I’ve had my morning coffee.
- Trying to find a reason to smile, even on a Monday.
- Girl seeking day off.
- Big grin energy.
- Well, here’s a selfie.
- Chasing toddlers, not sunsets.
- Can’t stop thinking about tomorrow!
- Too hot to handle.
- Adulthood is overrated.
- The sun’s out, the weather is nice, and I’m ready for spring.
Funny Non Cheesy Instagram Captions
- Got a closet full of outfits and nothing to wear. Send help!
- I’m not shy. I just don’t like you.
- I’m not clumsy. The floor is just out to get me.
- I procrastinate even when there’s nothing to do. What’s your superpower?
- Good friends + bad ideas = the perfect combo.
- I’m trying to look busy. It’s working.
- A date? Sorry, my dog and I already have other plans.
- Sure, I’d accept I was wrong, if such a thing were to ever happen.
- When adventure calls, hang up and stay in bed.
- Life will never give you lemons. Get over it.
Cute but Not Cringy Instagram Captions
- The best moments in life involve wet noses and soft paws.
- Chasing dreams while falling over laughing.
- I’m just here for the food!
- Be scared, but do it anyway.
- You, me, and a cozy weekend getaway? I can’t think of anything better!
- You’re the avocado to my toast.
- I’m totally bananas for you.
- Make your own sunshine.
- Shine bright, smile big, and don’t forget your sunglasses.
- Dance to the rhythm of the butterflies in your stomach.
Non Cringy Instagram Captions with Attitude
- Live life with your head high and your middle finger higher.
- Everyone’s got a face, but this one’s mine.
- My attitude is a mirror. You get what you give.
- I’m fluent in sarcasm, but I speak sass as a second language.
- I’m my own brand of me. Take it or leave it.
- I don’t boss people around. I just tell them how to live their lives.
- I tried to follow my heart, but it only told me to get away from you.
- Want me to help you look for your last brain cell?
- Confidence level: I applied filters to all my sister’s Instagram photos.
- Sorry, not sorry.
Not Cheesy Instagram Captions About Love
- Just so you know, I love you the best in the world.
- Everything’s good when you’re here.
- With you around, I don’t care how cringe I get.
- Perfectly imperfect together.
- Find the person you want to grow old together with.
- Meet the only person I’d share my favorite blanket with.
- You’re the song my heart has playing on loop.
- Wanna share a Kit-Kat?
- You’re my happy place.
- Less drama, more love.
Friendship Instagram Captions Not Cringe
- ‘Cause friends don’t let friends do stupid things alone.
- When you find people who share your exact same brand of crazy, never let go.
- Good friends bail you out. Best friends help you bury the body.
- There’s nobody I’d rather fight over the last slice of pizza with.
- Friendship is my second favorite F word.
- On our worst behavior.
- Let’s drive each other crazy!
- Some friends come and go like gentle butterflies. Others sink their teeth into your soul like mosquitoes.
- It’s not about who’s known you the longest, but about who’s part of your wildest stories.
- Friendship, adventures, and good food.
Non Cringey Instagram Captions About Outfits
- If looks could kill…
- A blend of style and attitude.
- Looking sharp, feeling great.
- Outfits speak louder than words.
- Clothes. Because you have to wear something.
- Wearing this dress like it’s my armor.
- When life gets boring, wear that risky outfit and spice things up.
- When life gives you weekends, laze around in old sweatpants and a stained t-shirt.
- I hope this outfit screams, “Leave me alone.” Nailed it?
- Today’s outfit is sponsored by sleep deprivation.
Non Corny Instagram Captions About Success
- Don’t wait for opportunities. Hunt them down.
- Life’s too short to chase other people’s dreams.
- Today’s mission? Work hard, drink lots of coffee.
- If they say you can’t, don’t believe them and just keep going.
- If you’re the boss and you’re not working twice as hard as everyone else, you’re not doing it right.
- ‘Cause life without hard work is just a childish game.
- Never let failure stop you from going on.
- Keep looking until you find something that doesn’t make you dread Mondays.
- Success ain’t gonna fly into your lap from your gaming chair.
- You can be lazy or successful. Pick one.
Not Cringey Instagram Captions About Travel and Adventure
- Sorry, life coaches of Instagram. This one’s all about the destination.
- Exploring the world, one dish at a time.
- Got my passport and my plane tickets. Life’s good.
- In a world of my own…
- Hit the road, Jack…
- Life is too short to unpack that suitcase.
- The travel is in the details…
- Wallet empty, heart full.
- Ready for take-off!
- Swapped my clock for a compass.
Good Quotes for Non Cringey Instagram Captions
- “Some people never go crazy. What truly horrible lives they must lead.” ― Charles Bukowski
- “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” ― Thomas Edison
- “Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe.” ― Albert Einstein
- “A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.” ― Steve Martin
- “Real stupidity beats artificial intelligence every time.” — Terry Pratchett
- “Hell is truth seen too late.” ― Thomas Hobbes
- “Get busy living or get busy dying.” — Stephen King
- “Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust.” ― Sun Tzu
- “I like criticism. It makes you strong.” — LeBron James
- “The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.” ― William Shakespeare
Short Non Cheesy Instagram Captions
- Just some pixels.
- Nap time.
- Zero regrets, just happy accidents.
- I’ll drink to that!
- This is my cup of tea.
- Gone fishing. Probably won’t be back.
- In a world of pretty flowers, be the cactus.
- Dance, even when nobody’s watching.
- Just you, me, and a massive bag of chips.
- Unapologetically loud.
Creative Writing Prompts for Non Cringey Instagram Captions
We hope the non cheesy Instagram captions on our list have given you some inspiration for new directions to take your captions in. However, you have to keep in mind that none of them were specially written for the photos you take and want to post on Instagram. Since the cringe factor of any caption largely depends on the context, that means you’ll have a harder time finding a fitting caption.
If you really want to do it right, do it yourself — and here are some creative prompts to kickstart your creative process.
- Got a picture of you (and your friends or other half) laughing like crazy? Tell your followers what you were laughing about, but without actually saying it. The result will be hilarious.
- Have a picture of a cozy moment at home? Reflect on the things that make a house a home, and write about them.
- For selfies, try writing about the dominant mood you were in at the time the selfie was taken — and challenge yourself not to comment on what you were wearing or what you look like at all.
- For parties or dinners, find one thing that made the atmosphere completely different from other events and center that in your caption. It’s a great way to avoid ending up with generic and overused phrases!
- Posting cute pictures of your pets? Try writing about one personality quirk your furry or feather friends have.
- Pictures of beautiful views are one popular place for cringe Instagram captions to congregate. Try avoiding this trap by writing about something funny that happened just before or after the picture was taken.
- Got a photo marking a huge personal accomplishment, like graduation, a promotion, or moving into your dream house? Challenge yourself to write about one thing you learned that others reading your caption could really benefit from or one person you’re truly grateful for who helped you get where you are now.
- For photos of romantic dates, leave the sappy clichés behind, forget about all your followers, and write one thing you know would put a smile on your date’s face.
- Managed to capture a calm, peaceful moment? Try contrasting it with something crazy that happened earlier.
- Posting photos of your hobby in action? Describe what the hobby is like to someone who’s never tried it.
If you engage with these prompts authentically, we guarantee you’ll end up with an engaging, not cringe Instagram caption.
FAQ About Not Cringy Instagram Captions
Can I use popular phrases at all in non cringy Instagram captions?
Remember that cringe is highly subjective. Start by committing to not posting things you think are cringe, and your Instagram posts will already be 100 times better. If an overused quote, inspirational saying, or popular phrase truly resonates with you, go ahead and post it.
Yes, there will always be people who think it’s cringe, but you really can’t avoid that — no matter what you post.
Do puns have a place in not cheesy Instagram captions?
Yes, absolutely — but you’re going to have to brainstorm your own puns rather than looking them up on the internet. Anything you authentically come up with and don’t see lurking around every corner is arguably the opposite of cringe. Plus, there is such a thing as a pun so cheesy that it’s good.
Can I still include emojis if I want to make my Instagram captions not cringe?
You can, but choose carefully and use emojis sparingly. Avoid the temptation to post long strings of emojis at all costs, and ask yourself if the emojis genuinely add value. Never post emojis just for the sake of it.
What should I keep in mind when choosing hashtags if I want to post not cringey Instagram captions?
That’s a good question. Many social media gurus share the advice to limit yourself to around five hashtags in total, and while that’s not always the best approach if you’re purely looking for views, it does help to keep things classy.
Only choose hashtags that are highly relevant to the content of your post, and if a hashtag feels “wrong” or forced, skip it.
Make your mark on Instagram. With Twicsy, enjoy enhanced likes, followers, comments, and views.