If you’ve noticed that text you’ve added to your Instagram reels appears blurry, don’t worry – you’re not alone. Blurry text in reels is a common issue many Instagram users face. The good news is that there are some easy fixes you can try to make your reels text look crisp and clear.
Why Is Text In My Instagram Reels Blurry?
There are a few main reasons why text may appear blurry or pixelated in Instagram reels:
- Low resolution video – If the video you used for your reel is low resolution or compressed, any text layered on top will also appear pixelated.
- Small text size – Using very small font sizes can make text blurry, especially once compressed by Instagram.
- Bold or thin fonts – Fonts that are super bold or super thin don’t render well and can become blurred.
- Complex fonts – Intricate or highly stylized fonts don’t compress well and can appear blurry.
instagram does compress and resize videos for reels to optimize them for mobile screens. This compression can impact text quality if the original video resolution isn’t high enough.
How To Fix Blurry Text On Instagram Reels
Luckily, there are some adjustments you can make to get nice crisp text on your Instagram reels. Here are some tips:
1. Use High Resolution Video
The most important factor for getting clean, sharp text in reels is using high resolution video. Instagram recommends uploading videos that are at least 720p HD. The higher the original video quality, the better your text will hold up after compression.
Shoot or export your reels videos at 1080p HD or higher. Avoid using videos less than 720p – this is typically where text quality suffers significantly.
2. Add Text In Your Video Editor
You’ll get best results adding permanent text elements directly in your video editing software rather than the Instagram app. This allows you to add the text as an embedded video overlay. Popular video editors like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, iMovie, or even basic apps like Inshot give you text tools.
Make sure to use high resolution project settings in your video editor – at least 1080p HD. This prevents pixellation and blurring during the export.
3. Use Adequate Text Size
Don’t use tiny text sizes like 8 or 10pt – these will look great on your computer but become an unintelligible blur when viewed on a mobile device. As a general guideline, use at least 30pt for body text and 50pt for headings.
You can play around to find ideal text sizing that looks sharp but also fits nicely into the frame. Use larger text sizes for shorter labels and smaller sizes for longer paragraphs.
4. Choose Simple, Bold Fonts
To maximize clarity, stick to simple bold fonts without thin strokes or intricate details. The bolder and thicker the font, the better it will look on compressed video.
Classic fonts like Arial, Helvetica, Impact, or Open Sans Condensed make excellent text overlays. Avoid using ultra-thin fonts, cursive/script fonts, or display fonts with small details that won’t render clearly.
5. Outline The Text
Adding a solid outline around your text adds definition that helps it stand out against busy backgrounds. Outlines also help text hold up to Instagram’s compression algorithm better.
In your editor, duplicate your text layer and apply a 3-5px stroke outline in a contrasting color. This extra definition keeps the edges looking sharp.
6. Add Background Color Or Drop Shadow
If you don’t want an outline, adding a background color or drop shadow behind the text also helps it pop. Solid color backgrounds frame the text while subtle drop shadows provide separation.
Make sure to use high contrast between the text and background. Dark text on a light background compresses best. Avoid busy patterns.
7. Add Stroke To Font
Instead of outlining, you can also add a stroke directly to the font. Adjust the stroke weight to make thin fonts bolder. This helps maintain clarity after compression.
You can also add the stroke as a layer style if your editor supports it. Just make sure to balance font weight and stroke size.
8. Use High Quality Text Tools
Investing in a high-end video editor like Adobe Premiere Pro gives you professional-grade text tools for the best quality. But if you don’t have access, look for free options like DaVinci Resolve that offer advanced text features.
Avoid basic apps like iMovie or Capcut for text – the quality and control isn’t robust enough for Instagram. Use Inshot for a good free option.
9. Render Text Before Export
For maximum quality, make sure to render or bake your text before exporting the final video. This processes the text into the video file instead of overlaying it dynamically.
Rendered text has the highest chance of looking crisp through compression. Check your editor’s export settings for rendering options.
10. Reduce Video Compression
Some video editors and export settings apply additional compression that can impact quality. For best results, use h.264 or HEVC codecs with minimal compression, high bit rates, and high quality presets.
Trial different export settings to find the best balance of file size and quality.
Extra Tips For Crisp Instagram Reels Text
A few more handy tips for text that pops in your Instagram reels:
- Use left-aligned text to maximize clarity.
- Avoid text overlays longer than 20 words.
- Add animated movement for a dynamic look.
- Use strong contrast between colors.
- Add subtle drop shadows for separation.
- Use built-in title templates from your editor.
- Break text into short lines or paragraphs.
- Position text away from edges or sides.
- Add tickers or scrolling text for long passages.
Troubleshooting Blurry Text In Reels
If you follow all the tips but your text still appears pixelated, here are some things to check:
- Ensure your video export resolution is at least 1080p HD.
- Check that text rendering is turned on in export settings.
- Try a different file format like MOV instead of MP4.
- Increase the font size for improved clarity.
- Adjust kerning to fix uneven or blurred letter spacing.
- Re-outline or add stroke to bolster thin fonts.
- Remove complex font variations like italics, which compress poorly.
- Try uploading directly instead of saving from camera roll.
You may also have to re-export your video with adjusted settings or upgrade to a higher resolution camera for shooting.
Use An Online Instagram Video Resizer
If you don’t have video editing software, you can use free online tools to add text to your reels.
Tools like Kapwing, Clipchamp, Renderforest, Invideo and more have templates and high quality text options optimized for social media.
Upload your reels video then add titles, captions, animated text, stickers and graphics right in your browser.
Save and export your completed reel with crisp text overlays in the right size and format for Instagram.
Check Your Instagram Video Settings
Apart from your source video quality, also check that your Instagram video settings are optimized for the best quality uploads:
- Use the “High” quality setting under Account Settings > Cellular Data Use.
- Enable “High Quality Uploads” in your profile settings.
- Connect to Wifi when uploading for minimal compression.
- Upload videos directly instead of via camera roll.
Adjusting these profiles and network settings can help text stay sharper through upload and compression.
Conclusion
Getting clean, crisp text in your Instagram reels takes effort but brings an elevated, professional look. With high quality source video, optimal text sizing and font selection, strategic outlines and backgrounds, and proper export rendering, you can make reels text look great.
Pay close attention to resolution, render settings, font choices, outline strokes, and Instagram upload configurations. Test text appearance before publishing your reels. If needed, run videos through online resizing tools as a final quality check.
Put in the work up front to ensure your reels text pops on screen instead of appearing as an unintelligible blur. Crisp text takes your Instagram content to the next level!