A great post loses its impact if the last words are cut off. Many platforms limit characters rather than words, and search engines truncate long titles and descriptions. This cheat sheet lists common character limits and shows how to check your text with our free Character Counter.
Social media
| Platform | Limit (approx.) |
|---|---|
| X (Twitter) post | 280 characters (longer for paid accounts) |
| Instagram caption | 2,200 characters |
| Instagram bio | 150 characters |
| LinkedIn post | 3,000 characters |
| Facebook post | very long, but around 80 characters gets most engagement in some studies |
| YouTube title | 100 characters |
Platforms change limits from time to time, so double-check important posts.
SMS
A standard SMS holds 160 characters using basic Latin letters. Messages with Urdu script or emojis use Unicode, which allows only 70 characters per message. Longer texts are split and may cost more.
Google search results
- Title: Google shows roughly 50 to 60 characters, depending on pixel width.
- Meta description: around 150 to 160 characters typically show on desktop, less on mobile.
Put the most important words at the start, so they survive if the text is cut.
Spaces count
Most platforms count spaces as characters. The character counter shows counts with and without spaces, which helps when a form specifies either.
Writing to a limit
- Write freely first.
- Paste into the counter.
- Cut filler words and long phrases.
- Replace long words with shorter ones where clear.
- Check again.
Words vs characters
Essays and assignments usually use word limits; use the Word Counter for those. For capital letters and formatting, the Case Converter fixes text in one click.
Writing meta descriptions
If you run a website or online shop, every page needs a title and meta description. Read how to write meta descriptions for practical tips.
Frequently asked questions
How many characters is an SMS?
160 for basic Latin text and 70 for Urdu or emoji (Unicode) messages.
Do spaces count as characters?
On most platforms, yes.
How long should a Google title be?
Around 50 to 60 characters so it is not cut off.