Add captions to Instagram Reels
Meta asks Reels to keep the bottom 35% clear, which is where most caption tools put their words. Shycut moves its captions above that line when the video is fitted for Reels.
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Where the captions go
In a 1080 × 1920 video, Shycut’s bottom captions end 1248 px down (65% of the height) instead of 1536 px (80%), and top captions start 269 px down (14%) instead of 230 px.
Drawn to scale. Drag the captions anywhere in the editor; a spot you choose always wins over the preset.
What Meta says
| What | Figure | Their words |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | 9:16, vertical | Ratio: 9:16 Meta |
| Keep clear | 14% at the top, 35% at the bottom, 6% at each side | Consider leaving at least 14% of the top, 35% of the bottom and 6% on each side of your asset free from text, logos or other important creative elements. Meta |
| Longest | 15 min | Similar to organic Reels, ads can be up to 15 minutes Meta |
Meta publishes some of these figures on its ad specifications page; its help pages for ordinary posts state none that could be read.
Why the usual spot doesn’t work on a Reel
Most captions sit near the bottom of the picture: Shycut’s own end at 80% of the height. On a Reel that is inside the band Meta asks you to keep free, where the profile icon and the call to action can cover it, so the button lifts them to end at 65%.
Stories use the same frame and the same safe zone, so captions made this way fit a Story as well. If you drag the captions somewhere else, your spot wins; the editor shades the covered parts while you move them.
How to do it in Shycut
Open your video
The button opens Shycut set up for Instagram Reels: the frame, the length check, and captions written as it opens.
Check the captions
The speech is written down on your device (the model downloads once; on mobile data it waits for your tap). Fix any word in the Captions tab.
Pick a look and save
Choose one of four caption styles, check the frame, and save. Nothing is uploaded.
Where these facts come from
Questions
Where should captions go on Instagram Reels?
Above the bottom 35% and below the top 14%, the parts Meta asks to keep free of text. Shycut’s bottom captions end at 65% of the height when the video is fitted for Reels.
Are the captions written on my device?
Yes. The speech is transcribed in your browser with a model that downloads once; the video is never uploaded.
Can I change the caption style?
Yes. Pick one of four looks and a size in the Captions tab, and fix any word before saving.
Your video stays with you.
Open Shycut, drop the video in and export. Free, with no account, and your video never leaves your device.
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