The 160-character limit
160-character counter
The target is preset to 160 characters. Type or paste your text and you'll see straight away whether it fits into one text message or meta description — and how many characters are still left.
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160 characters — where does the limit come from?
When text messages were designed, 160 characters became the established length of a single message. The number is based on the GSM-7 character set, which fits ordinary letters and numbers into one message. That is why the 160-character counter is above all a text-message aid: you can see whether a message goes as one or splits into several parts.
The same 160-character limit is a good rule of thumb online too. A search engine's meta description, shown under the title in the results, is typically cut off at around 150–160 characters. If you are writing a description, it is worth staying within this limit so the most important message isn't hidden.
How to keep your text within 160 characters
- Paste your text into the counter — the target is already 160 characters.
- Watch the progress bar: green means it fits, yellow that you are close to the limit, and red that you are over it.
- If you go over the limit, cut repetition, shorten words or drop the less essential parts. You see in real time when the text fits.
Mind the emoji: even a single emoji can switch the message's encoding, and then only 70 characters fit in one message. Test the effect of emoji by typing them in and watching the figure.
Other common character limits
| Where | Limit |
|---|---|
| Text message (standard) | 160 |
| Text message (special characters / emoji) | 70 |
| Meta description | 150–160 |
| SEO title | 50–60 |
| X (Twitter) | 280 |
How many text messages does a long message become?
When a message goes over the single-message limit, it is sent in several parts that the phone stitches together seamlessly. Chaining the parts takes up some room, though, so the parts of a split message are a little shorter than a single message. With the standard character set the maths works out like this:
- 1 message: up to 160 characters.
- 2 or more messages: about 153 characters per part, because the chaining information reserves a few characters.
- Special characters or emoji: one message is 70 characters, and about 67 characters per part when split.
Because of this a 320-character message doesn't fit into two parts but needs three. If you want to keep costs down in bulk messaging, set the target to 160 characters and condense the text within it. You can also pick the 155 button if you want to leave a little slack for special characters.
Tip: switch the target above to 70 when you know you'll use emoji. You'll see straight away when the message flips to the shorter character set and starts splitting into several parts.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Why 160 characters specifically?
160 characters is the standard length of a single ordinary text message (GSM-7 encoding). The same limit is also a good rule of thumb for a search engine's meta description, which appears in results at around 150–160 characters.
What happens if the text goes over 160 characters?
The text message is split into several parts, and a long message is billed as several messages. The counter shows straight away how many characters you are over, so you can condense the text back into one message.
Why do only 70 characters fit sometimes?
If a message contains special characters or emoji, UCS-2 encoding is used, and then 70 characters fit in one message. That is why using emoji shortens a text message's length considerably.
Can I set a limit other than 160?
Yes. Choose from the ready buttons 160, 155, 70 or 300, or type your own limit. You always see the remaining or excess characters and the progress bar.
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