How to make captions easy to read: size, placement and safe areas

Updated 6 October 2026

Placement

• Turn on Safe Area in the editor preview. On a 9:16 video it draws a guide around the part of the frame that the usual buttons and text leave clear.
• Select a caption on the video and drag it to move it, or set the placement for every caption in Customize.
• The middle or upper-middle of the frame is usually safest for Reels and Shorts.

Size and weight

• Most people watch on a phone held at arm’s length: heavy type at a generous size reads best.
• Use the Text size control in Customize, then play the video and check it is readable without squinting.

How many words at once

• Two to four words per phrase can be read at a glance. Set words per phrase in Customize.
• Fast speech needs shorter phrases; slow, calm talk can carry slightly longer lines.

Contrast and emphasis

• Add an outline, shadow or background panel so captions stay readable on bright or busy footage.
• Highlight one important word per phrase: select it on the video to recolour it or give it the style’s emphasis.

Check before you export

1. Play the whole video in the preview with Safe Area on.
2. Open the full-screen preview to see the captions at real size.
3. Fix any caption that sits under a button or flashes by too quickly, then export.