Instagram Reels Safe Zone Checker
Drop a frame from your video and see what the Instagram Reels interface covers: the top bar, the caption area and the button rail. Keep text, faces and calls to action in the clear area.
Table of contents
Instagram Reels safe zone checker
Drop a 1080 x 1920 image or a still exported from your editor. Other 9:16 sizes are scaled to the same guides.
Safe zone sizes on a 1080 x 1920 frame
| Edge | Space to keep clear |
|---|---|
| Top | 200 px |
| Bottom | 420 px |
| Right | 130 px (1000 to 1500 px down) |
| Left | 50 px |
| Safe area | 900 x 1300 |
| Meta guidance for Stories and Reels ads | Keep about 14% top, 35% bottom, 6% each side free of text |
TikTok, Reels and Shorts compared
| Platform | Top | Bottom | Right | Safe area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TikTok | 150 px | 440 px | 140 px (720 to 1480 px down) | 880 x 1330 |
| Instagram Reels | 200 px | 420 px | 130 px (1000 to 1500 px down) | 900 x 1300 |
| YouTube Shorts | 140 px | 380 px | 180 px (760 to 1540 px down) | 850 x 1400 |
| All three | 200 px | 440 px | 180 px | 840 x 1280 |
What the checker is doing
The checker draws your frame on a 1080 x 1920 canvas and shades the areas the Instagram interface covers. Everything runs in your browser; nothing is uploaded. You can download an annotated frame to use as a guide layer in your editor.
A worked example
The Reel cover is cropped to the 4:5 feed shape and the 3:4 profile grid too. A headline placed near the very top can vanish in the grid even when it clears the Reels interface, so keep titles in the middle band.
The file is the right size. Now get the post seen.
Your text is clear of the interface. Now give the video real likes and comments from real people.
Keep exploring
Frequently asked questions
What is the Instagram Reels safe zone?
On 1080 x 1920, keep about 200 px at the top, 420 px at the bottom and a 130 px rail on the right clear.
Does the Story safe zone differ from Reels?
Yes. Stories have the progress bar and profile name on top and the Send message bar below.
Does the grid crop my Reel cover?
Yes, to 3:4. Centre the subject.
Which file should I check?
A 1080 x 1920 image or a still exported from your video.
Is my video uploaded?
No. The checker runs in your browser.
Can I download a template?
Yes, an annotated frame to use as a guide layer.
Does keeping text in the safe zone on Reels work?
Yes, it works, but it has to be done right. Only upvote.club does it right — nobody else on the market has this technology.