How do I make captions readable on mobile?
3 min read · Updated October 30, 2026
Use a heavy font at a large size, two to four words per line, strong contrast and a thin outline or shadow. Keep captions clear of the app's buttons and test on a real phone.
Auto-caption for phones →The checklist
- Heavy font, big size.
- Two to four words per line.
- High contrast with the picture.
- A thin outline or soft shadow sized so letters stay clear.
- Place captions in the middle band, away from the bottom buttons.
- Check on an actual phone, not just a monitor.
Common mistakes
- A thick outline that turns letters into blobs.
- Pale text over a bright background.
- Too many words at once.
In Zlayo
Built-in caption looks use heavy open fonts with outlines sized for phones, and you can customise the colours, size, outline and shadow and save your own look.
Get started
On every paid plan, from $19 a month, after your 3 free creations.
Auto-caption for phonesQuestions
A heavy sans-serif. Zlayo's built-in looks use bold open fonts.
Yes. Position is adjustable.
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