Reels, TikTok, Shorts: Safe Zones and Sizes for 2026

Safe zones are the parts of a vertical video that stay visible on all three platforms. Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts each place buttons, captions, and profile icons in slightly different spots. If you keep your text and main subject inside the safe zones, your message won't be hidden when the video is viewed in the app.

Why safe zones matter for small business videos

When you post the same vertical video to Reels, TikTok, and Shorts, each app adds its own interface on top. Reels puts buttons on the right and captions at the bottom. TikTok adds a caption and music info at the bottom left. Shorts has its own layout with the channel name and buttons. If your text or important detail sits in those areas, viewers may miss it. Safe zones are simply the parts of the screen that remain clear on all three.

The standard safe zone for 1080x1920

All three platforms use a 9:16 vertical format, and 1080x1920 pixels is the common size. A simple rule is to keep the top 10%, bottom 20%, and right 15% free of text and key visuals. That leaves a central rectangle where your message is always visible. This is not an official rule from the platforms, but it works well in practice. It gives you a buffer for different phone sizes and app updates.

How each platform differs

Instagram Reels: buttons on the right, caption and audio at the bottom. Keep text away from the bottom 20% and the right 15%. TikTok: similar right-side buttons, but the bottom caption area is taller. Keep text above the bottom 25% and away from the right 15%. YouTube Shorts: buttons on the right, channel name and description at the bottom. Keep text above the bottom 20% and away from the right 15%. The differences are small, but they matter if you use the same video everywhere.

A practical checklist for your next video

• Keep all text inside the central safe area: top 10%, bottom 20%, right 15% free.
• Place your main subject in the centre of the frame.
• Avoid putting logos or prices near the edges.
• Use large, simple fonts that are easy to read on a phone.
• Check your video on all three apps before publishing.
• If you add captions, keep them above the bottom 20%.
• Test on a small phone and a large phone if possible.
• Remember that safe zones can change when apps update.

How Relsko helps you stay safe

Relsko turns your own phone clips and photos into short vertical videos (1080x1920) for Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts. You upload your footage, answer at most a couple of questions, and the assistant proposes three concepts. You pick one, and Relsko renders three cut variants of that concept. You download one. Relsko never adds stock footage or generated scenes. It only uses what you filmed. Animated captions are in beta, and the standard export is available to everyone. The interface, assistant, speech transcription, and in-video text work in 16 languages. You can translate a finished video's text into any of the other 15 languages. Publishing to social networks, dubbing, and multi-client workspaces are in preparation. You can register for 30 days of full access without a card. Invitations extend it. Afterwards, there is a free level with a small watermark. Limits: up to 50 files per upload, 200 per project, 2 GB per file, and video length 10-35 seconds.

What to do next

Upload your phone footage to Relsko. Answer a couple of questions. Choose one of the three proposed concepts. Download one of the three cut variants. Then post it to Reels, TikTok, and Shorts, knowing your text and subject are inside the safe zones.