The best font size for video text is large enough to read at a glance on a phone. As a rule of thumb, make text at least about 5% of the frame's height for body text and labels, and 8 to 14% for titles and hooks. On a 1080×1920 vertical video, that's roughly 60 to 100 pixels for labels and 100 to 200 pixels for titles. The MobileStudio Add Text to Video tool sizes text as a percentage of the frame, from 4% to 14%, so these numbers translate directly.
The short answer
| Text type | Size (share of the frame's short side) | On 1080 px wide |
|---|---|---|
| Labels and captions | 5 to 7% | 54 to 76 px |
| Body text, short lines | 6 to 8% | 65 to 86 px |
| Titles and hooks | 8 to 12% | 86 to 130 px |
| One-word statements | 12 to 14% | 130 to 150 px |
Why does text need to be so big on video?
Most video is watched on phones, at arm's length, while it's moving. People glance at text rather than read it carefully. Text sized for a desktop screen looks tiny on a phone, and thin fonts disappear over busy footage.
How do I set text size in the browser tool?
- Open Add Text to Video and drop in the video.
- Type your text.
- Drag Text size between 4% and 14%. The default, 8%, suits most headlines.
- Turn Background on for a dark box behind the text.
- Preview, adjust, and export.
The percentage is measured against the shorter side of the frame, so the same setting looks right on vertical and landscape video.
What about safe areas on TikTok and Reels?
Apps cover parts of the frame with buttons, captions, and profile details. On vertical video, keep important text:
- Out of the bottom fifth, where captions and usernames sit.
- Away from the right edge, where like and share buttons sit.
- A little below the very top, where status bars and app headers can appear.
Center and upper-middle are the safest spots. See add text to a TikTok video and add text to an Instagram Reel. Instagram's Reels help page lists the Reel dimensions.
How long should text stay on screen?
| Text | Minimum time |
|---|---|
| One to three words | 1.5 to 2 seconds |
| A short line | 2 to 3 seconds |
| Two lines | 3 to 4 seconds |
A good habit: read the text out loud twice; that's how long it should stay.
How do I keep video text readable?
- Contrast: white or yellow on dark footage, dark text on light footage.
- Background box or shadow: essential over busy or changing footage.
- Bold, simple fonts: thin and script fonts blur at small sizes.
- Short lines: under about 30 characters per line.
- One idea per text: split long sentences into a sequence.
What size should captions be?
Captions are read continuously, so they can be a little smaller than titles, around 5 to 7% of the frame's short side, with a background and two lines at most. For full captions synced to speech, see our video captions guide. Editors like iMovie let you resize title text, as Apple's iMovie titles guide shows, and Clipchamp has size controls in its editor.
Where MobileStudio fits
Add Text to Video is one of our free tools. MobileStudio itself turns screen recordings into polished app demos with device frames, zooms, and clear framing. Get MobileStudio.
Quick FAQ
What's the best font size for Instagram or TikTok text?
About 8 to 12% of the frame's width for hooks, 5 to 7% for labels.
How many pixels should video text be?
On a 1080-pixel-wide video, roughly 60 to 100 px for labels and 100 to 150 px for titles.
What font is best for video text?
A bold sans-serif that stays clear at small sizes.
How do I make text readable over busy video?
Add a background box or a strong shadow.
How long should text stay on a video?
At least 2 to 3 seconds per short line.
