How to check a vertical video for safe zones
- Upload your media. Drop an MP4, MOV or WebM video, or a JPEG, PNG or WebP image. A 9:16 frame such as 1080 × 1920 px matches the preview best.
- Choose an overlay. Pick TikTok, Reels or Shorts to show where that app usually places captions, the profile line and the like, comment and share buttons.
- Test your text. Turn on the text placement tester, type your caption and drag it around. Adjust colour and size to see whether it stays readable.
- Check composition. The rule-of-thirds grid helps you place faces and products, and the device frame shows how the post looks on different phone shapes.
- Save a reference. Download Reference Frame saves a PNG of the current frame with the overlay, useful for sharing with an editor.
What usually gets covered
On all three apps the bottom of the screen holds the caption, account name and audio line, and a column of buttons runs down the right side. The very top can hold tabs or a search bar. Keeping important text and faces in the centre of the frame, away from the bottom fifth and the right edge, avoids most overlaps.
| Area | What sits there | Keep clear of |
|---|---|---|
| Bottom | Caption, username, audio, progress bar | Subtitles and calls to action |
| Right edge | Like, comment, share and profile buttons | Logos and product shots |
| Top | Tabs, search, Live or Following labels | Titles and hooks |
Why the overlays are approximate
Each app changes its layout between versions, languages, ad formats and screen sizes. The guides here show typical areas rather than exact pixel boundaries, so use them to plan and then confirm with a private or draft post.