Character Counter

How to count characters

1. Type your text in the box, or paste it in.
2. The character count updates as you type.
3. Look at the list below to see how your text sits against each platform limit.
4. Trim until the badge shows room to spare instead of "over by".

Why the limit matters, not just the count

A plain number does not tell you if your post will fit. Each place you post has its own cap, and going over means your text gets cut, split, or blocked. This tool shows your count and checks it against the limits people hit most, so you can see in one look where your text fits and where it is too long.

The limits this tool checks

Twitter and X cut a post at 280 characters. An SMS holds 160; go one over and the message splits into two parts, and each part can count against your bill. A meta description for Google is safe near 155, because Google trims longer ones in search results. Instagram allows 2,200 in a caption but only 150 in your bio. LinkedIn allows 3,000 in a post. A YouTube title stops at 100. The tool marks each one green when you have space and red when you are over.

A note on emoji and spaces

The count includes spaces and line breaks, because every platform counts them too. Emoji are trickier. One emoji can count as two or more characters on some systems, so a caption that looks fine here may run a little longer on the platform. When you are close to a limit, leave a few characters of room.

FAQ

Does the count include spaces?

Yes. Spaces and line breaks are counted, since posting limits count them as well. There is a second number for characters without spaces if you need it.

Why does my SMS split into two messages?

A single SMS holds 160 characters. Once you pass that, the message is sent in parts. Most phones join them back together, but you may be charged for each part.

What is the best length for a meta description?

Keep it near 155 characters. Google shows about that much in search results and cuts the rest, so the important words should come first.

Do emoji count as one character?

Not always. Many emoji count as two or more characters behind the scenes. If your text is right at a limit, an emoji could push it over.

Is my text sent anywhere?

No. The counting runs in your browser. Your text stays on your device and nothing is saved.

Can I use this as a letter counter?

Yes. It counts every letter, number, space, and symbol, so you see how many characters your text holds at a glance. Use it against any character limit, like the SMS character limit of 160 or the 280 cap on X.