What is a logo sting?

A logo sting is a short animated reveal of a logo, usually 2 to 5 seconds, often paired with a distinctive sound. You'll see them at the start or end of TV shows, YouTube videos, ads and podcasts.

Logo sting vs logo reveal vs logo intro

• Logo sting: the short, punchy version, usually with a sound hit or jingle. The word comes from broadcast, where a "sting" is a short musical ident.
• Logo reveal: any animation that builds up or uncovers a logo. The term is common in template marketplaces.
• Logo intro / outro: a logo animation placed at the start or end of a video, like a YouTube intro.

In practice people use these terms interchangeably. What matters is that the animation is short, feels like your brand and is consistent everywhere you use it.

What makes a good logo sting

1. Short: 2 to 5 seconds. Anything longer and viewers skip.
2. Built from the logo itself: the best stings animate the real parts of the logo (the icon, the letters) rather than just flying the whole image in.
3. A sound that matches: a sound logo turns the sting into something people recognize even when they aren't looking at the screen.
4. A clear final frame: the logo should rest fully readable for the last second.

Where to use a logo sting

At the start or end of YouTube videos, at the end of ads, between segments of a video podcast, on event screens, and as the opener for Reels and TikTok series. See our guide to vertical logo intros.

Frequently asked questions