Guide · Updated September 29, 2026

How to make animated social media graphics

Make animated graphics for TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts and YouTube: hooks, captions, comment replies, counters, end screens and overlays, with the right sizes and formats.

Animated graphics are what separate an edited short video from a raw clip. Here are the graphics that do the most work on each platform, and the settings to export them with.

The graphics that matter most

A hook in the first second: Hook title or a bold title.
Captions throughout: Boxed word captions or Caption bar, because most people watch without sound.
Replying to a comment: Comment and reply or a comment sticker.
Numbers and results: Statistic – basic, Counter or Creator year in numbers.
Reactions and emphasis: emoji effects and comic sound effects from emoji & memes.
A call to action: Follow button tap, Subscribe button – simple or Link in bio / description.

By platform

TikTok and Instagram Reels

Use 9:16 at 1080×1920. Keep text in the middle of the frame, away from the caption and buttons at the bottom and the icons on the right. Short, punchy graphics under three seconds work best.

YouTube Shorts

Also 9:16. Add a clear hook and, at the end, a prompt to watch a related long video.

YouTube

Use 16:9 at 1920×1080 for titles, lower thirds, chapters and an end screen such as End screen. See the end screen guide.

LinkedIn and X

1:1 or 16:9 work well. Data and business graphics such as KPI grid or Testimonial card suit these feeds.

Export settings

Posting directly: MP4, 1080p, 30 fps (60 fps for fast motion).
Adding to an edit: transparent MOV for Premiere Pro, Final Cut or DaVinci Resolve, transparent WebM for CapCut.
A thumbnail or post image: PNG.

Keep it consistent

Pick one accent color and one caption style for your channel and reuse them. Viewers recognise a consistent look before they read your name.

Browse social & reviews, captions and the youtube graphics topic for more.

Questions people ask

Can I use app logos in my graphics?

The templates are platform-neutral designs. Avoid using other companies' logos in ways that suggest they endorse your video.

What size are Instagram Reels graphics?

1080×1920 pixels, 9:16. Choose 9:16 at 1080p when you export.

Try it now. 250 templates run free in your browser, with no signup. Browse templates

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