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Character Counter

Paste or type your text. The count updates as you type, and the bars show where it fits Google, X, SMS and other limits.

Counts update as you type. Your text stays in your browser.

How to use the character counter

  1. Type in the box, or paste text from anywhere.
  2. Watch the big number. It is your total character count, including spaces.
  3. Check the bars on the right. Each bar shows how full a common limit is.

A bar turns amber when you are close to a limit and red when you go over. The label tells you how many characters you have left, or how many you need to cut.

Character limits worth knowing

Where Limit What happens if you go over
Google title About 60 Google cuts the title with “…”
Meta description About 155 Google cuts it, or writes its own
SMS text 160 The message is split into parts
X post 280 You cannot post it (on a free account)
Instagram caption 2,200 You cannot post it
LinkedIn post 3,000 You cannot post it

Google’s limits are “about” because Google measures titles and descriptions in pixels. A title full of narrow letters like “i” and “l” fits more characters than one full of “W” and “M”.

Tips for writing to a limit

  • Front-load the key words. If text gets cut off, the start is what people still see.
  • Cut filler first. Words like “very”, “really” and “in order to” rarely add meaning.
  • Use numbers as digits. “7 tips” is shorter and easier to scan than “seven tips”.
  • Check on your phone. Search results and social posts often show less text on small screens.

Frequently asked questions

Do spaces count as characters?

Yes. Spaces, line breaks and punctuation all count. That is how Google, X and text messages count too. The "No spaces" number is there for forms and school work that leave spaces out.

How many characters should an SEO title have?

Aim for about 50 to 60 characters. Google cuts titles by pixel width, not by a set number of characters, so wide letters like W and M use up space faster. Put the most important words first.

How long should a meta description be?

Aim for about 120 to 155 characters. Google may cut longer text with "..." on desktop, and it sometimes writes its own snippet from your page instead. A clear summary that matches the search still helps.

Why does my emoji count as one character here but more somewhere else?

This counter counts characters the way you see them. Some apps count the hidden code behind an emoji, which can be two or more units. Text messages are a common case. One emoji can switch a whole SMS to a format that only fits 70 characters.

Is my text saved or sent anywhere?

No. The counting happens in your browser. Your text is not uploaded or stored, and it is gone when you close the page.