How to use the Character Counter
- Paste or type your text.
- Read the character totals in the results panel.
- Check the limit bars to see if your text fits X posts, SMS, or meta descriptions.
- Edit your text until it fits, then copy it.
Example
| Input | Hello, world! |
|---|---|
| Result | 13 characters · 12 without spaces · 10 letters |
Characters with and without spaces
Most platforms count spaces, so the “with spaces” total is the one to watch for posts, SMS and form fields. Some academic and translation work is priced or limited by characters without spaces, which is why both totals are shown side by side. The counter also reports letters, digits, lines and the size of your text in bytes.
Common character limits
Limits change over time, so always confirm on the platform itself. These are the commonly cited values:
- X (Twitter): 280 characters for a standard post. Try the X (Twitter) Character Counter for threads.
- Meta description: roughly 155–160 characters before search results cut it off. Use the Meta Description Checker for a live preview.
- Title tag: about 60 characters, or a pixel width limit. Use the Meta Title Checker.
- SMS: 160 characters for a single message using the standard GSM alphabet, and fewer when emoji or special characters are used.
- Instagram: 2,200 characters for a caption and 150 for a bio. See the Instagram Character Counter.
- YouTube: 100 characters for a title. See the YouTube Title Counter.
How to use the limit bars
Type or paste your text and watch the bars fill up. A bar changes colour as you approach the limit and again when you go over it. Enter your own number in “Custom character limit” if your form, ad platform or assignment has a different cap.
Emoji, accents and bytes
Each visible symbol, including an emoji, is counted as one character here. Some platforms count certain emoji as two or more, so keep a small buffer near strict limits. The byte count uses UTF-8: plain English letters take one byte, while accented letters, non-Latin scripts and emoji take two to four. This matters for databases and APIs that limit size in bytes rather than characters.
Frequently asked questions
Do spaces count as characters?
Yes, in most places (including X/Twitter and SMS) spaces count. We show both totals so you can use whichever you need.
How are emojis counted?
We count each visible symbol, including emojis, as one character. Some platforms count certain emojis as two, so leave a little room near strict limits.
What is the byte count?
It is the size of your text in UTF-8 encoding. English letters use 1 byte; accented letters and emojis use 2–4 bytes.
Why does my SMS count differ from this tool?
Phones count in segments, and a single emoji or special character can switch the whole message to a smaller per-message limit. Treat 160 as the best case.
Does a line break count as a character?
Yes, each line break counts as one character here. Platforms differ, so check the limit on the platform if you rely on exact counts.