Can UploadCorrect fix captions that are already burned into the bottom of my video?

While no tool can recover the original video pixels hidden behind burned-in text without blurring, UploadCorrect's Caption Mask & Safe-Zone Replacement tool lets you apply a clean lower-third studio banner (Dark Pill, Matte Black, or Frosted Dark) over the old obstructed caption zone and render crisp replacement text inside the 100% readable safe zone.

Can I validate my .SRT or .VTT subtitle file for free?

Yes. Upload your .SRT or .VTT file inside the 9:16 Simulator to check line lengths, reading speed (characters per second), and export a safe-positioned WebVTT file with line:72% vertical positioning for free.

Caption Safe Zone Checker & Mask Tool (TikTok, Reels)

Q: Where should captions be placed on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts?

On a 1080x1920 (9:16) vertical canvas, captions should sit inside the universal safe zone: at least 250px below the top edge, at least 480px above the bottom edge (580px if using a TikTok Shop product anchor), and 60px from the left and 180px from the right edge so the engagement rail never covers text.

Why Captions Get Cut Off on TikTok, Reels & Shorts

Auto-caption templates in mobile and desktop video editors often default to the bottom 15%–22% of a 1080×1920 canvas. Once uploaded to TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts, that entire lower region is covered by the creator handle, expandable description, music marquee, and Shop product pill.

Universal 9:16 Caption Safe-Zone Coordinates (1080×1920)

Platform Mode	Top Exclusion	Bottom Exclusion (Danger Zone)	Right Rail Exclusion	Safe Caption Y-Range
TikTok (Organic)	`0 – 250px` (13%)	`1440 – 1920px` (Bottom 480px / 25%)	`900 – 1080px` (Right 180px)	`Y: 1180px – 1400px`
TikTok Shop / Sponsored	`0 – 250px` (13%)	`1340 – 1920px` (Bottom 580px / 30.2%)	`900 – 1080px` (Right 180px)	`Y: 1100px – 1300px`
Instagram Reels	`0 – 220px` (11.5%)	`1500 – 1920px` (Bottom 420px / 21.9%)	`920 – 1080px` (Right 160px)	`Y: 1220px – 1460px`
YouTube Shorts	`0 – 240px` (12.5%)	`1540 – 1920px` (Bottom 380px / 19.8%)	`910 – 1080px` (Right 170px)	`Y: 1240px – 1500px`

3 Ways UploadCorrect Rescues Obstructed Captions

1-Click Safe-Zone Auto-Reframe: Shifts and scales your 9:16 frame inside the interactive simulator so bottom-heavy captions rise above the 480px TikTok / 580px TikTok Shop danger zone.
Lower-Third Caption Mask & Safe-Zone Replacement: If old burned-in captions are stuck at the bottom of your video, toggle our Caption Mask drawer to place a clean studio bar (Dark Pill, Solid Matte, or Frosted Dark) over the obstructed zone and render crisp replacement text inside the safe zone.
Free .SRT / .VTT Safe-Zone Validator: Upload your subtitle file to check character-per-line limits and download a safe-positioned WebVTT file (`line:72% position:46% size:76%`) for free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should captions be placed on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts?

Keep captions at least 480px above the bottom edge (580px for TikTok Shop posts) and 180px away from the right edge on a 1080×1920 canvas.

Can UploadCorrect mask burned-in captions that are covered by TikTok buttons?

Yes. While no tool can reconstruct the raw background pixels behind burned-in text without blurring, our Caption Mask & Safe-Zone Replacement tool covers the old lower-third band with a clean studio banner and places replacement text inside the safe zone.

Is the 9:16 safe-zone preview free?

Yes. Uploading your video to preview TikTok, Reels, Shorts, and TikTok Shop safe zones — plus validating .SRT/.VTT files — is 100% free.

Caption Safe Zone Checker for TikTok, Reels & Shorts