Text Overlays on Pinterest Pins — What Works and What Doesn't

Text overlays are the most important design element on most Pinterest pins. They tell the user what they will get before they click. Done well, they boost click-through rates dramatically. Done poorly, they make your pin unreadable.

Keep headlines short

Aim for 4–8 words. "Easy 30-Minute Chicken Stir Fry" works. "Check Out This Amazing and Delicious Chicken Recipe You Will Absolutely Love" does not — it will truncate or shrink to illegibility.

Font selection

Use bold sans-serif fonts — think Montserrat, Oswald, or similar heavy weights. Avoid:

• Thin or light font weights
• Script or handwriting fonts at small sizes
• More than two font families on one pin

Placement rules

Place text where it will not cover the main subject. Common effective placements:

• Top third — above the focal image
• Bottom band — a solid color strip with text
• Center overlay — semi-transparent dark layer behind white text

Never place text over busy or detailed areas of the photo.

Headline formulas that convert

• Number + outcome: "7 Storage Hacks for Small Closets"
• How-to: "How to Make Sourdough Without a Starter"
• Time-bound: "15-Minute Weeknight Pasta"
• Problem + solution: "Tiny Kitchen? Try These Layout Tricks"

The squint test

Shrink your pin to the size of a phone thumbnail and squint. If you cannot read the headline immediately, increase font size, add contrast, or shorten the text.

Test headline readability using the Pixlory Pinterest pin generator before you publish.