Best TikTok Hashtags to Use Right Now (By Category)
TL;DR - Quick Answer
12 min readComprehensive guide with practical insights you can apply today.
TikTok hashtags help the algorithm understand what your video is about and who to show it to. Using the right ones can put your content in front of people who are actually interested in your niche.
This page lists the most widely used TikTok hashtags organized by category, plus a practical guide to picking the right mix for your videos.
How TikTok Hashtags Work
Hashtags on TikTok serve two purposes: they help the algorithm categorize your video, and they help users discover content through search and hashtag pages.
A few things to know:
- 3–5 hashtags per video is the generally recommended range. More than that can look spammy and does not improve reach.
- Put hashtags in your caption, not in the comments. TikTok's algorithm reads captions for content signals.
- Niche hashtags (smaller, more specific) often outperform broad mega-hashtags for newer accounts because there is less competition.
- #fyp and #foryou are the most used hashtags on TikTok, but using them alone will not get you on the For You Page — content quality and watch time matter more.
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Popular TikTok Hashtags by Category
General / Discovery
These are the broadest hashtags on TikTok. They have massive usage, which means high competition. Use one of these alongside more specific hashtags — not as your entire strategy.
- #fyp
- #foryou
- #foryoupage
- #viral
- #trending
- #explore
Comedy and Entertainment
- #funny
- #comedy
- #meme
- #jokes
- #humor
- #skit
- #fail
- #relatable
Dance and Music
- #dance
- #dancechallenge
- #choreography
- #music
- #remix
- #singer
- #newmusic
Food and Cooking
- #recipe
- #cooking
- #food
- #foodie
- #baking
- #easyrecipe
- #foodhack
- #mealprep
- #healthyrecipes
- #whatieatinaday
Fitness and Health
- #fitness
- #workout
- #gym
- #exercise
- #fitnessmotivation
- #homeworkout
- #health
- #yoga
- #weightloss
Fashion and Beauty
- #fashion
- #style
- #outfit
- #ootd
- #grwm
- #beauty
- #makeup
- #skincare
- #hairstyle
- #thrift
Lifestyle and Daily Life
- #dayinmylife
- #routine
- #morningroutine
- #selfcare
- #lifestyle
- #motivation
- #mindset
- #aesthetic
- #cozy
Education and How-To
- #tutorial
- #howto
- #learn
- #tips
- #hacks
- #diy
- #lifehack
- #edutok
- #learnontiktok
Business and Career
- #entrepreneur
- #business
- #marketing
- #smallbusiness
- #sidehustle
- #career
- #productivity
- #freelancer
- #worktok
Pets and Animals
- #pets
- #dog
- #cat
- #dogsoftiktok
- #catsoftiktok
- #puppy
- #animals
- #cute
Travel
- #travel
- #wanderlust
- #adventure
- #roadtrip
- #traveltiktok
- #explore
- #vacation
- #bucketlist
Tech and Gaming
- #tech
- #gaming
- #gamer
- #setup
- #pc
- #ai
- #gadgets
- #techtok
How to Pick the Right Hashtags for Your Video
The 3–5 Hashtag Mix
A practical approach that works for most creators:
- 1 broad hashtag — something widely used like #fyp or #viral to cast a wide net
- 1–2 category hashtags — hashtags that describe your content type (like #recipe or #workout)
- 1–2 niche hashtags — more specific tags that describe exactly what the video is about (like #airfryerrecipes or #gluteworkout)
The niche hashtags are where newer accounts get the most traction. Broad hashtags have so much content flowing through them that your video can get buried quickly.
How to Research Hashtags on TikTok
- Use TikTok search — Type a keyword in the search bar and look at the hashtag suggestions. TikTok shows you how many posts use each hashtag.
- Check what similar creators use — Look at the hashtags on videos in your niche that are getting strong engagement.
- Look at the Discover / Trending page — This shows hashtags and sounds that are gaining traction right now.
- Try our TikTok Hashtag Generator — Enter your topic and get hashtag suggestions tailored to your niche.
What to Avoid
- Hashtag stuffing — Using 15+ hashtags does not improve reach and makes your caption look cluttered
- Irrelevant hashtags — Using #fitness on a cooking video confuses the algorithm and hurts your targeting
- Only mega-hashtags — If every hashtag has billions of posts, your video is competing with everything on the platform
- Banned hashtags — Some hashtags are flagged by TikTok and using them can limit your reach. If a hashtag page shows no recent results, it may be suppressed.
Do TikTok Hashtags Actually Matter?
Yes, but they are one factor among many. TikTok's algorithm primarily uses watch time, completion rate, shares, and engagement to decide whether to push a video to more people. Hashtags help with initial categorization — telling TikTok which audience to test your video with first.
A video with great content and mediocre hashtags will still perform well. A video with perfect hashtags and poor content will not. Think of hashtags as a targeting signal, not a growth hack.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hashtags should I use on TikTok?
3–5 hashtags is the recommended range. This gives TikTok enough context to categorize your video without cluttering your caption. Using more than 5 does not improve reach.
Does #fyp actually help you get on the For You Page?
Using #fyp alone will not get you on the For You Page. TikTok's algorithm uses watch time, engagement, and content relevance — not a specific hashtag. #fyp is so broadly used that it provides very little targeting value on its own. It can be included as one of your hashtags, but it should not be your only one.
Should I put hashtags in my caption or comments?
In your caption. TikTok reads captions when categorizing your content. Hashtags placed in comments are not given the same weight for content discovery.
How do I find trending hashtags on TikTok?
Use the search bar on TikTok and look at the hashtag suggestions that appear. Check the Discover page for trending content. You can also look at what hashtags successful creators in your niche are using on their recent high-performing videos.
Can hashtags get my video shadowbanned?
Using banned or flagged hashtags can limit your video's reach. If a hashtag page shows no recent content when you search for it, it may be suppressed by TikTok. Avoid using hashtags that are irrelevant to your content, as this can also signal low-quality content to the algorithm.
What is better — trending hashtags or niche hashtags?
A mix of both works best. Trending hashtags can give you short-term visibility if you post timely content. Niche hashtags help you reach a more targeted audience consistently. For newer accounts, niche hashtags usually drive better results because there is less competition.
Do the same hashtags work on TikTok and Instagram Reels?
Some hashtags overlap, but the platforms have different cultures and trending topics. Instagram supports up to 30 hashtags and emphasizes community hashtags, while TikTok works better with 3–5 trend-focused tags. Research hashtags separately for each platform.
Related Resources
- TikTok Hashtag Generator — Get hashtag suggestions for your niche
- TikTok Video Idea Generator — Brainstorm content ideas
- Best Time to Post on TikTok — Maximize reach with timing
- TikTok Shadowban Guide — What to do if your reach drops
- TikTok Video Length Guide — Optimal video duration
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