Title safe is the inner boundary area of a video frame within which text and important graphics should be placed to ensure they remain fully visible across all display devices and platforms.
Title safe is a concept originating from the era of cathode-ray tube (CRT) televisions, which would cut off the outer edges of the video signal — a phenomenon called overscan. To ensure that text and important information remained visible on all televisions, broadcasters established the "title safe" area: a margin approximately 10% inward from each edge of the frame. While modern flat-panel displays show the full frame, the concept remains relevant for other reasons.
Today, title safe considerations extend beyond overscan to account for platform-specific interface overlays. Social media platforms often display viewer interface elements (like buttons, progress bars, profile information, and captions) over portions of the video frame. Placing critical text or graphics too close to the edges risks having them obscured by these interface elements. Each platform has different overlay positions, making thoughtful text placement essential for multi-platform content.
When reviewing video content, pay attention to where text and important graphic elements are positioned. Are lower thirds far enough from the bottom edge to avoid being covered by platform captions or progress bars? Are titles clear of the areas where social media interfaces place their controls? A production team that understands title safe ensures that every viewer sees every piece of important information, regardless of which device or platform they use to watch the content.
Aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between the width and height of a video frame, expressed as two numbers such as 16:9 (widescreen) or 9:16 (vertical for mobile).
Letterboxing is the practice of displaying widescreen content within a standard-width frame by adding horizontal black bars above and below the image, preserving the original aspect ratio without cropping.
A lower third is a graphic overlay positioned in the lower portion of the video frame, typically used to display identifying information such as a speaker's name, title, location, or other contextual text.