# Text overlay examples for video ads

> Thirty text overlay examples for video ads, grouped by hook, proof, offer, urgency and action, with where to place each line inside the safe zone.
- **Author**: Marxx
- **Published**: 2026-11-06
- **Category**: Video editing
- **URL**: https://marxx.ai/library-templates/text-overlay-examples-for-video-ads

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A text overlay is a short line on screen that carries the message when the sound is off. Keep it to about five words, place it inside the safe zone and change it with each shot.

Below are 30 examples we wrote. Brackets mark what you must replace.

## Hook overlays

Use one in the first 3 seconds.

- "Still cold at 3pm?"
- "Oily skin by lunch?"
- "Your AC is dripping. Why?"
- "Wait for the last shot"
- "3 things I wish I knew"
- "Read this before you buy"

## Problem and proof overlays

- "Old bag. Torn zip. Again."
- "Before: [40] min. After: [10] min."
- "Rated [4.5] by [2,000] buyers"
- "One tap to cancel"
- "Real customer, real message"
- "Made in small batches"

Use only lines that are true for your product. Numbers and ratings need proof you can show.

## Offer and price overlays

- "INR 549. Delivered to your door."
- "Buy 2, save INR 200"
- "First order: INR 100 off"
- "Pay on delivery"
- "12 pieces in one box"
- "Sizes S to XXL"

## Urgency overlays

- "Sale ends [Sunday]"
- "Order by [date] for [festival]"
- "Only [50] left"
- "Offer ends tonight"
- "Back in stock"
- "Last day"

Festival dates move each year, so fill the date from your own calendar.

## Action overlays

- "Tap Shop now"
- "Link below"
- "Book a slot on WhatsApp"
- "Download the app"
- "Order today"
- "See the full range"

For the final card, see the [CTA end card examples](/templates/cta-end-card-examples).

## Where to place each line

Meta's guide gives three margins for Reels and Stories ads (checked 3 Nov 2026). Keep roughly 14% of the top, 35% of the bottom and 6% of each side free of text. The profile icon and the call to action cover the edges.

| Moment | Where the line goes |
|---|---|
| Hook | Upper middle of the safe box |
| Price | Centre, next to the product |
| Action | Above the bottom 35% |

## A worked example

Say your Reel is 1080 x 1920. The figures below are our arithmetic on Meta's percentages, not Meta's numbers.

- Text can start 269 px from the top (14% of 1,920).
- Text must end 1,248 px from the top (1,920 - 672, the bottom 35%).
- The middle of that band is (269 + 1,248) / 2 = about 758 px.

Centre a one-line overlay near 758 px, and keep it inside the 65 px side margins (6% of 1,080).

## Tips

- **One line per shot.** Change the text when the shot changes.
- **Do not copy the voice.** Captions already show the spoken words. Use overlays for the point.
- **Use strong contrast.** Light text on a dark box beats text on a busy picture.
- **Keep the language the same.** If the voice is Hinglish, write the overlays in Hinglish too.

Marxx's [AI video editor](/features/ai-video-editor) shows safe-zone overlays for Reels, Stories, Shorts and TikTok while you place text. We make Marxx.

For caption rules, use the [caption style guide template](/templates/caption-style-guide-template) and read [how to add captions to video ads](/guides/how-to-add-captions-to-video-ads). For opening lines, see [50 ad hook examples](/templates/ad-hook-examples).

## FAQ

### How many words should an overlay have?

Aim for about five. If you need more, split it across two shots.

### Should overlays match the captions?

No. Captions show what is said. Overlays add the point, the price or the action.

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