Captions too low
Keep essential subtitles and calls to action clear of the channel, title and video description area.
YouTube Shorts safe zones · Updated October 2026
YouTube Shorts safe zones 2026: keep text away from the controls
YouTube Shorts uses an immersive vertical player, but viewers also see action buttons, channel details and descriptions. The right and lower edges are the first places to inspect when your video includes subtitles, prices or a call to action.
Reviewed 13 October 2026 · Working guides, not guaranteed display boundaries.
1080 × 1920 px9:16 canvas
REVIEW AREA
Shaded edges indicate areas to review. Not an official, universal platform template.
YouTube Shorts planning overlay for 9:16 creative
Use 1080 × 1920 px as a convenient vertical production canvas. Our checker shows a conservative viewing guide; YouTube itself shows placement warnings when you move text in the Shorts editing flow.
Swipe across the table to see all design notes →
| Placement | Top | Bottom | Left / right | What to watch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube Shorts | 170 px | 400 px | 50 / 180 px | Leave space on the right for actions and below for channel/title information. Check this placement → |
The pixel margins are conservative MockUp Buddy planning overlays on a 1080 × 1920 px working canvas. They are not published platform requirements. Different devices, descriptions, captions and ad placements can change what appears over your content.
Three Shorts details that can make a good edit hard to read
Products hidden behind actions
Check the right side where viewers may see Like, Dislike, Comments, Remix and Share controls. Their layout can change.
Ignoring YouTube’s own edit guides
When you add text or stickers in the Shorts editor, look for its visual non-safe-area warnings before you publish.
Three-minute creative check
Put your next design to the test
Use the free checker to overlay the guide on your own artwork, then preview the full platform interface before sign-off.
- Make your Story or video on a 1080 × 1920 px canvas.
- Upload the file to the checker and review text, faces, logos and CTAs.
- Adjust your composition and verify the final placement in the platform before publishing.
YouTube Shorts safe-zone FAQs
What are the YouTube Shorts safe-zone dimensions?
YouTube does not publish one universal set of fixed pixel margins for every Shorts experience. Our 1080 × 1920 overlay is a design aid, and YouTube’s in-editor warnings should be checked too.
Where should I place text in a Short?
Keep important text closer to the middle of the video, avoiding the right-hand control rail, bottom title/description and extreme top edge.
Can I check a YouTube Short without uploading it to YouTube?
Yes. Select YouTube Shorts in the MockUp Buddy safe-zone checker and preview your video or image locally in the browser.
Other safe-zone guides
CHECK THE SPACE. THEN SHOW THE IDEA.
Design it with the interface in mind.
Check safe areas for free, then preview your creative inside a realistic social mockup for client reviews and sign-off.