Creator Tools
Reels cover preview
Upload your Instagram Reels cover photo and see exactly where UI overlays hide your content. Keep faces and text in the safe zone.
Preview
Top nav bar
Side actions
Caption & controls
Safe zone
Drag & drop or click to upload
JPG, PNG, WebP, MP4, MOV
Instagram Reels overlays like/comment/share buttons on the right, caption at the bottom and top nav bar. Keep key content centered.
Your media never leaves your browser. All processing happens locally.
Social app interfaces change over time. These overlays are practical planning guides, not official platform guarantees.
Reels cover photo best practices
- Use a 9:16 aspect ratio — Reels thumbnails are vertical. Use 1080x1920 pixels for the sharpest result.
- Center key content — faces, logos and text should sit in the center-left safe zone away from UI overlays.
- Use high contrast — your cover photo appears in a small grid. Bold, high-contrast images stand out best.
- Avoid text on the right — Instagram stacks like, comment and share buttons on the right side of the screen.
- Check the grid view — Reels thumbnails appear small on your profile. Make sure your cover reads well at thumbnail size.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I preview my Reels cover photo?
- Upload your cover image using the previewer above and select the Instagram Reels platform. You will see the Reels UI overlay on top of your image so you can check that key elements are in the safe zone.
- What size should a Reels cover photo be?
- Instagram Reels thumbnails are displayed at 9:16 aspect ratio (1080x1920 pixels recommended). The cover photo is cropped from the center, so keep important content centered.
- Why does my Reels cover look cut off?
- Instagram overlays like, comment and share buttons on the right side and the caption area at the bottom. If your cover image has text or faces in these areas, they will be hidden behind the UI.
- Can I download the overlay to use in my design tool?
- Yes. Click 'Download overlay PNG' to save a transparent overlay that you can place on top of your cover design in Photoshop, Canva or any editor.