What is the safe zone for Instagram stories?

The safe zone for Instagram stories is the 1080 x 1610 pixel area in the center of your story where content will not be covered by interface elements. It excludes the top 155 pixels (username and timestamp) and bottom 155 pixels (reply bar and stickers).

What gets covered on Instagram stories?

The top of your story shows the username, timestamp and close button. The bottom shows the reply bar, message input and interactive stickers. Important text or calls to action in these areas may be partially hidden.

How do I use a safe zone overlay?

Download the overlay PNG, then import it as a layer in your design tool such as Canva, Figma or Photoshop. Place it over your design, reduce its opacity and ensure important content stays within the clear center area.

What are the safe zone margins for Instagram stories?

The safe-zone margins are 155 px at the top and 155 px at the bottom. This leaves a safe area of 1080 x 1610 pixels in the center of a 1080 x 1920 canvas.

Do Instagram story ads have different safe zones?

Story ads have similar safe zones but may include additional interface elements such as Sponsored labels and call-to-action buttons. Keep critical content even farther from the edges for ads.

Where should I place calls to action on Instagram stories?

Place calls to action in the middle-to-lower-middle section of the safe zone. Avoid the very bottom because it competes with the link and reply area. The ideal position is roughly 1200–1500 pixels from the top.

Instagram Story Safe Zone Checker

Last updated: January 2026

Upload your story image or video to check the Instagram story safe zone and avoid text getting cut off by Instagram.

Upload your file

Preview safe zones

Click to upload

9:16 recommended

Instagram Story Safe Zone Dimensions

These dimensions apply to the standard Instagram story size of 1080 x 1920 px. Keep important content within these boundaries for full visibility on every device.

Top Margin: 155px

Username, profile picture, timestamp, and close button appear here.

Bottom Margin: 155px

Reply bar, message input, and interactive stickers cover this area.

Safe Area: 1080 x 1610px

This centered content area is always fully visible.

Instagram Story safe-zone diagram showing 155 px top and bottom margins and a 1080 x 1610 px safe area

What is the Instagram Story Safe Zone?

The Instagram story safe zone is the area where content won’t be covered by Instagram’s interface. On a standard 1080 x 1920 pixel story, it is the centered 1080 x 1610 pixel area.

Instagram’s interface covers part of your content: the top 155 pixels show your username, profile picture, timestamp and close button, while the bottom 155 pixels show the reply bar, message input and interactive stickers.

Text, logos or calls to action placed in these danger zones may be hidden, reducing engagement and making stories look less professional.

How to Use This Safe Zone Checker

Upload Your Image

Upload your story image or video (9:16 vertical format recommended). JPG, PNG, WebP, MP4, MOV and WebM are supported.

View Safe Zones

The tool overlays Instagram’s interface on your image so you can see what is covered and what remains visible.

Optimize Your Content

Adjust text, logos, faces or calls to action so they stay inside safe zones for maximum visibility and engagement.

Download Safe Zone Template

Get a transparent PNG overlay (1080 x 1920px) for Canva, Figma, Photoshop or any image editor.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

CTA at the Bottom

Swipe-up or link buttons get covered by the reply bar. Move them to the lower-middle of the safe zone.

Text Touching Edges

Text at the edge may be cut off on some devices. Leave 40–60 px of padding on the left and right.

Important Info Behind Username

Your profile picture and name cover the top-left corner. Keep this area clear of text, logos and faces.

Ignoring the Reply Bar

The bottom area is partially transparent but still obscures content. Use the checker above to see what is covered.

Story Safe Zone vs Reels Safe Zone

Stories and Reels both use 9:16, but their interface elements appear in different places. (1080 x 1920 pixels)

Format	Top Margin	Bottom Margin	Safe Area
StoriesThis page	155px	155px	1080 x 1610px
Reels	~250px	~340px	1080 x 1330px
Instagram carousel size →	Different format — see carousel size guide

Reels have larger danger zones because they display captions, usernames, audio information and action buttons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to common questions

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