Character counter
Count characters instantly. Select a platform to track against its limit in real time.
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About character limits
Character limits shape how the world writes online, and they have a curious origin. In 1985, German engineer Friedhelm Hillebrand typed dozens of everyday sentences on a typewriter and found nearly all of them fit within 160 characters — that became the SMS limit still in use today. Twitter's original 140-character cap was simply SMS minus 20 characters reserved for a username, and even after the 2017 expansion to 280, brevity remains the platform's identity. Meta descriptions, app store listings, ad headlines and bios all impose their own caps, which is why writers keep a character counter within reach.
Platform character limits reference
Different platforms enforce different character limits. Here are the most common ones:
- Twitter / X: 280 characters per tweet
- Instagram bio: 150 characters
- Instagram caption: 2,200 characters (first 125 shown before "more")
- Meta description: 155 characters before Google truncates
- SEO title tag: 60 characters before Google truncates
- YouTube title: 100 characters (first 70 shown in search results)
- YouTube description: 5,000 characters (first 157 shown)
- LinkedIn headline: 220 characters
- LinkedIn post: 2,000 characters before "see more"
- TikTok bio: 80 characters
- TikTok caption: 2,200 characters
- Facebook post: 63,206 characters
Characters with spaces vs without spaces
Most platforms count characters including spaces. Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn all count spaces as characters. However, some applications and character limit requirements exclude spaces. TextlyPop shows both counts simultaneously so you always have the right number regardless of which method your platform uses.
Why character count matters for SEO
Google truncates meta descriptions longer than approximately 155 characters and page titles longer than approximately 60 characters in search results. Writing within these limits ensures your full message appears in search results without being cut off. A truncated meta description looks unprofessional and reduces click-through rates. Use the meta description and SEO title presets to write within the optimal range every time.
Frequently asked questions
Does the character counter include spaces?
Yes, by default — and that matches how Twitter/X, Instagram, LinkedIn and Google all measure text, since a space occupies a character position like any letter. The counter also shows characters without spaces separately, which some academic submission systems and translation billing standards use instead. Use the toggle above the text area to switch which mode drives the main display, and check both numbers when you are unsure which one your platform enforces.
How many characters does Twitter allow?
280 characters per post for standard accounts, with paid subscribers able to write up to 25,000. Two quirks matter when you are near the limit: every link is counted as exactly 23 characters no matter how long the real URL is, and many emojis count as two characters because of how they are stored in Unicode. Select the Twitter preset to see a live progress bar, and aim a few characters under the cap to be safe.
What is the ideal length for a Google meta description?
Keep it under about 155 characters. Google truncates longer descriptions with an ellipsis in search results — technically the cutoff is measured in pixels rather than characters, but 155 is the reliable practical ceiling for desktop and mobile alike. A description that gets cut off mid-sentence looks sloppy and hurts click-through rate, so write a complete thought that front-loads the key message in the first 120 characters, then verify it with the meta description preset.
How many characters can an Instagram bio have?
150 characters, including spaces, emojis and line breaks — one of the tightest bios of any major platform (TikTok is even tighter at 80). That forces real editing: most effective bios use short fragments rather than sentences, put the most important keyword or offer in the first line, and spend characters on one clear call to action rather than several vague ones. Select the Instagram bio preset to watch the progress bar while you trim.
Does the character counter count emojis and special characters?
Yes. Every character is counted, including emojis, punctuation, symbols and accented letters. Keep in mind that platforms count characters differently — an emoji can count as two or more characters on Twitter/X because it is stored as multiple Unicode units, and URLs are often shortened to a fixed length. If you are writing close to a platform limit, leave a small buffer to be safe.