Safe Zone Reference

2026 Updated

Pixel-precise safe zones and UI overlay dead zones for major vertical video platforms. Updated monthly.

Safe zones drift with platform updates. YouTube Shorts enlarged its subscribe button in late 2025. TikTok's caption zone is now dynamic (auto-captions on by default). These specs are verified Feb 2026.

Platform

Overlay Guide

Dead zone (UI overlay)

Safe zone (content area)

108px

320px

120

SAFE 900×1492

Dead zone

Safe zone

TikTok

Pixel Specifications

Canvas size1080 × 1920 px

Safe zone900 × 1492 px

Top dead zone108 px

Bottom dead zone320 px

Left dead zone60 px

Right dead zone120 px

% of canvas usable65%

Last verifiedFeb 2026

UI Hazards

Dynamic caption height: 1-line caption = 80px, 3-line + hashtags = 250px+

Right column: like/comment/share/audio icon stack (120px wide)

Top bar: profile picture + username + Follow button (108px)

Sponsored CTAs (Shop Now / Learn More) add 50px to bottom dead zone

2026 Changes

UPDATED

Caption box is now taller by default with auto-captioning enabled

Sponsored content CTA area standardized at 370px total bottom dead zone

Device & Context Notes

iPhone Dynamic Island (14 Pro+): +40px top dead zone

Old Android notch: +30px top dead zone

Sponsored campaigns: design for 900×1442 safe zone (370px bottom)

Pipewright Integration

TikTok's dynamic captions make safe zone validation probabilistic — Pipewright flags if critical content is within 400px of bottom.

All Platforms — Quick Reference (2026)

Platform	Safe Zone	Top Dead	Bottom Dead	Right Dead	% Usable
TikTok	900×1492	108px	320px(+50 sponsored)	120px	65%
Instagram Reels	996×1400	210px	310px	84px	67%
Instagram Stories	1080×1620	100px	200px	0px	84%
YouTube Shorts	984×1500	120px	300px	96px	71%
Universal (All Platforms)	900×1400	210px	320px	120px	61%

All platforms use 1080×1920 canvas. Safe zone = area guaranteed visible on all devices. Universal row = most restrictive across all platforms.