Instagram Reels Safe Zone 2026 (9:16 Dimensions, Text Cutoff & Overlay PNG)
Last updated: June 2026
Contents
- Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16)
- Feed Crop: Reels are cropped to 4:5 (1,350px height) in the main feed.
- Danger Zone: Description area and bottom engagement icons.
1. IG Reels Dimensions
The standard size for an Instagram Reel is 1080 pixels wide by 1920 pixels tall (an aspect ratio of 9:16). This matches TikTok and Shorts perfectly. Ensure your export settings in Premiere Pro or CapCut reflect this to avoid black bars.
2. The Reels Feed Crop Challenge
Instagram Reels has a unique problem: your video is shown full-screen (9:16) in the Reels tab, but cropped to 4:5 in the main feed. To ensure your text remains visible in both views, keep subtitles strictly in the center of the vertical axis.
3. Optimal Subtitle Placement for Reels
To avoid text cutoffs, you must place your hardcoded subtitles directly in the vertical center of the video. The lower you place your text, the higher the chance it will be completely invisible to users scrolling through their main feed or covered by your username and caption.
Preview Your Reels Layout
Don't guess where Instagram will cut your text. Use our visual simulator to check your safe areas before you post.
Open Preview Tool4. Download Reels Safe Zone Overlay
Grab our free PNG template to guide your editing in Premiere Pro or CapCut.
download Download IG Reels PNG Overlay5. People Also Ask (FAQ)
Where should subtitles go on Reels?
Subtitles should go in the vertical center of your Reel. Avoid the bottom 25% due to IG UI elements, and avoid the very top and bottom edges because Reels are cropped to 4:5 in the main feed.