Guide
Shorts, TikTok and Reels safe zones explained
Where YouTube Shorts, TikTok and Instagram Reels cover your 1080×1920 video, in pixels, and where to put hook text and subtitles.
Why safe zones matter
Shorts, TikTok and Reels all draw their own buttons, captions and channel names on top of your 1080×1920 video. Any text you put under those areas is hidden — including the hook text that's supposed to make people stop scrolling.
The numbers, in pixels
These are the margins Cut Maker's layout guides use for a 1080×1920 frame:
| Platform | Top | Bottom | Right | Hook text |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube Shorts | 200 | 400 | 140 | 92px |
| TikTok | 220 | 480 | 150 | 90px |
| Instagram Reels | 260 | 560 | 140 | 88px |
| All three at once | 260 | 560 | 150 | 88px |
"Top", "Bottom" and "Right" are the strips you should keep clear. "Hook text" is the recommended text size for a two-line hook.
Where to put things
- Hook text: in a fixed box near the top, just below the header area — about y = 260 to 540 on Shorts.
- Faces and key action: in the middle of the frame.
- Subtitles: above the bottom danger zone, not at the very bottom like in films.
Posting to all three?
Use the largest margin of each side. Reels covers the most at the bottom, and TikTok covers the most on the right, so the "All three" guide combines them. One video then works everywhere.
Get the guide layers
Cut Maker's layout guides are free transparent PNG layers. Put one on the top track in your editor, line up your text, and turn it off before export.