# Lower third Canonical URL: https://getvidiyo.app/glossary/lower-third Last updated: 2026-10-08 > Definition: A lower third is a graphic placed in the lower portion of the video frame, usually showing a person's name and title or a short piece of context, without covering the subject's face. A lower third is the name tag of video. When an interview cuts to a new person, the bar that reads "Maya Chen, Founder" under their shoulder is a lower third. It answers "who is this?" without anyone saying it, and it does so in the part of the frame that's usually empty: below the face, above the bottom edge. ## Where does the term lower third come from? The term comes from broadcast television, where news and sports graphics were placed in the lower third of a 4:3 screen to identify speakers and locations. The name stuck as screens got wider and then vertical, even though on a 9:16 phone video the "lower third" often sits higher to stay clear of the app's interface. ## How are lower thirds used in YouTube, short-form and product videos? Lower thirds identify people and add context without interrupting the speaker. Typical uses: - **Names and roles** in interviews, podcasts and founder videos. - **Context labels** like a location, a date or "Recorded live at our launch". - **Handles and links** such as an @handle or a site name in a creator video. - **Section labels** in tutorials, like "Step 2: Connect your account". On YouTube's 16:9 frame, the classic bottom-left placement works. On vertical video, the bottom of the frame is covered by captions, usernames and buttons, so lower thirds move into the [safe zone](https://getvidiyo.app/glossary/safe-zone) higher up. ## Lower third vs title card: what's the difference? A lower third sits over the footage and shares the frame with the speaker, while a [title card](https://getvidiyo.app/glossary/title-card) usually takes over the screen. Lower thirds are for information you can absorb while still watching someone talk. Title cards are for moments that deserve the viewer's full attention, like the video's name or a chapter break. ## How do you add a lower third in Vidiyo? In Vidiyo you add a lower third by asking for one in chat, for example "add a lower third with my name and 'Founder, Vidiyo' when I first appear". The assistant picks from a shelf of lower-third templates (clean bar, soft pill, kicker and name, mask reveal and more), fills in your copy, anchors the entrance to the spoken word and styles it with your brand colours and font. Once placed, you edit its text, colours and timing in the inspector. The assistant's quality checks also flag text that covers a face or overlaps captions. ## Frequently asked questions ### Why is it called a lower third? Because it sits in roughly the lower third of the screen, the area below a typical interview subject's face. The name comes from television news and broadcast graphics. ### How long should a lower third stay on screen? Long enough to read twice. A name and title usually need a few seconds. Longer text needs longer, and the graphic should leave before it starts competing with captions or the next point. ### Do lower thirds clash with captions? They can, because both want the bottom of the frame. On vertical video, move the lower third up or move captions so they never overlap, and keep both clear of the platform's buttons. ## Related terms - [Motion graphics](https://getvidiyo.app/glossary/motion-graphics) - [Title card](https://getvidiyo.app/glossary/title-card) - [Safe zone](https://getvidiyo.app/glossary/safe-zone) - [Kinetic typography](https://getvidiyo.app/glossary/kinetic-typography) ## Where Vidiyo does this - [Motion graphics without After Effects](https://getvidiyo.app/features/motion-graphics) - [How to add lower thirds to a video](https://getvidiyo.app/blog/add-lower-thirds-to-video)