A social safe zone checker shows exactly where TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts UI overlays — like/share buttons, caption area, music ticker — will block your video content. Upload or preview your vertical video to see which parts are hidden before you publish.

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Active Overlays

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where do TikTok UI elements cover video content?

TikTok overlays cover roughly the bottom 20% of the screen (caption area, music ticker, action buttons) and the right 15% (like, comment, share, profile buttons). The safe zone for critical content is the center-left area, approximately 60% of the frame width and 70% of the height.

Are safe zones different for TikTok, Reels, and YouTube Shorts?

Yes — each platform places UI buttons in slightly different positions. TikTok's action buttons are on the right side with the caption at bottom-left. Instagram Reels moves some buttons lower and adds a product tag area. YouTube Shorts has a different bottom bar layout. Always check per-platform before publishing.

What aspect ratio should I use for short-form vertical video?

All three major platforms (TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts) use 9:16 aspect ratio (1080×1920 pixels). Filming in 9:16 natively avoids letterboxing and maximizes screen real estate. If repurposing from 16:9 horizontal footage, you will lose significant frame area.

How It Works

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Upload a Frame

Drop in a screenshot, exported frame, or thumbnail from your video — or use a blank canvas.

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Select Platforms

Toggle TikTok, Instagram Reels, and/or YouTube Shorts to see their UI overlay zones.

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See the Dead Zones

Color-coded overlays show exactly where buttons, captions, and UI chrome will cover your content.

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Use the Safe Zone

The dashed green rectangle shows the area guaranteed clear across all selected platforms.

Recommended Creator Gear

For content creators, good lighting and stable footage are essential. We highly recommend a versatile ring light and a smartphone gimbal to elevate your production quality before you worry about UI safe zones.

Why Use a Safe Zone Checker?

When you export a 9:16 video for TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts, you might think your entire frame is visible. Unfortunately, each platform overlays its own buttons, captions, and profile information over your content. If you place important text or visual elements in these "dead zones," your viewers won't be able to see them. SafeZone Preview lets you instantly visualize these UI overlays on top of your own exported frames. Ensure your content is perfectly framed and readable across all short-form video platforms without any messy trial-and-error uploads.