Safe Zones for Reels and TikToks: Where to Put Text and Faces
Quick answer
Keep faces, captions and key text in the central area of a vertical frame. On Reels and TikToks, action buttons run down the right side and the username and caption sit near the bottom, so anything important there can be hidden. Leave margin at the top too.
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Key takeaways
- The right edge and bottom area are covered by app interface.
- Put faces and key text in the middle of the frame.
- Interface layouts change: check a preview on your phone.
- Crop with the safe zone in mind.
- Captions should sit above the bottom caption area.
On this page
What is a safe zone?
A safe zone is the part of the frame that stays visible once the app draws its interface on top. In vertical feeds, the video plays full-screen and buttons, profile details and captions sit over it.
Where the interface usually sits
- Right side: like, comment, share and other buttons.
- Bottom: username, caption text, audio info.
- Top: some apps show tabs or labels.
Exact positions differ by app and change with updates, so treat any template as a guide and preview on your own phone.
Practical rules
Faces
Keep eyes roughly in the upper-middle of the frame, away from the right edge.
On-screen text
Place titles in the upper-middle area and captions above the bottom caption block. Keep short lines centered.
Product shots
Center the product; don't let it sit behind the button column.
Safe zones when cropping
When you crop a landscape clip to 9:16, the subject must land in the safe area, not just inside the frame. See How to crop a horizontal video to 9:16.
Adding captions
Captions help people watching without sound. Many editors can generate them; online editors such as VEED include subtitle tools. Whatever you use, check placement against the safe zone before posting.
Common mistakes
- Text in the bottom corner, hidden under the caption.
- Faces cut by the button column.
- Trusting a template without a preview.
- Long caption lines that run to the edges.
How VDOHBoost fits
When you turn clips you own from Instagram, Facebook or TikTok into B-roll with VDOHBoost, pick the crop with the safe zone in mind.
In VDOHBoost the flow is Paste → Trim → Done:
- Paste a link to your own clip
- Tick the rights checkbox
- Press "Get clip" and wait for loading
- Trim the clip on the "READY TO TRIM" screen
- Choose a crop: Original, 9:16, 1:1 or 16:9
- Export, then "Download MP4"
VDOHBoost exports up to 720p.
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Prepare one of your own clips →
FAQ
What is the TikTok safe zone?
It's the part of a vertical video that isn't covered by TikTok's interface. Buttons run down the right side and the username and caption sit near the bottom, so keep faces and key text in the central area. Preview on your phone, as layouts change.
Where should I put text on Instagram Reels?
Put titles in the upper-middle of the frame and captions above the bottom area where the username and caption appear. Keep text away from the right-hand buttons and preview the Reel before posting.
Are Reels and TikTok safe zones the same?
They're similar but not identical, and both change with app updates. Designing for the center of the frame works across both. Always check a preview in each app.
Do safe zones matter for B-roll?
Yes. If a cutaway's key detail sits behind the button column or caption, viewers miss it. Crop and frame B-roll so the subject stays in the central area.
How do I check my safe zone?
Preview the video in the app on your phone before publishing, or save it as a draft where the app allows, and look for anything covered by buttons or captions.
Summary
Keep faces and text in the center, clear of the right-hand buttons and the bottom caption area, and preview on your phone before you post.
Ready to crop your own clip?
Paste a link to an Instagram, Facebook or TikTok clip you own or have permission to use.
Paste a link to your clip