Safe Zone Overlay Generator

Knowledge Base

How to Use the Safe Zones Reference

The Safe Zones Reference shows title safe, action safe, and broadcast safe areas for video. Different displays and platforms crop content differently. Position important elements in the safe zones to ensure they're visible on all screens.

Understanding Safe Areas

• Action Safe (90%): Where action should happen. Content outside may be cut off on some TVs.
• Title Safe (80%): Where titles and text should stay. Outer edges risk being cut off or hidden.
• Broadcast Safe (75%): Conservative boundary for broadcast television and streaming.

Why Safe Areas Matter

Older CRT televisions and projectors have physical overscan (edges cropped off screen). Modern displays also crop differently based on aspect ratio and zoom settings. Streaming platforms scale video for different devices. Safe areas ensure your content is visible everywhere.

Practical Application

Frame faces and important text within the 80% title safe zone. Keep logo in corner within the 75% broadcast safe zone. Don't place critical information near edges.

Platform-Specific Overscan

YouTube, Netflix, and broadcast TV each have slightly different safe area rules. When in doubt, use 80% as your safe title zone. Test on multiple devices before finalizing.

FAQ

Q: Do streaming platforms still require safe areas?
A: Yes, especially for text and graphics. Phone screens crop differently than TVs.

Q: What if I need text at the edge?
A: Add a semi-transparent background bar to ensure contrast and readability no matter what gets cropped.