Character Counter

Paste or type text to count characters with and without spaces, and see which post, text message or title limits it fits.

Your text
0 characters

Saved in this browser only. Opens TXT, Word (.docx) and PDF files.

Character count

Characters
0
Without spaces
0
Words
0
Spaces
0
Letters
0
Digits
0
Punctuation
0
Emoji
0
Lines
0
Bytes (UTF-8)
0
Your limit

For a form, an essay box or a brief. Leave empty for none.

UsedNo limit
x

Character limits

Each is counted the way its site counts: on X a link is 23 and most emoji are 2.

  • X post0 / 280
    Free account, links count 23280 left
  • Bluesky post0 / 300
    Each emoji counts 1300 left
  • Threads post0 / 500
    Before a text attachment500 left
  • Instagram caption0 / 2,200
    Feed posts and reels2,200 left
  • Instagram bio0 / 150
    Profile text150 left
  • LinkedIn post0 / 3,000
    From a profile or page3,000 left
  • YouTube title0 / 100
    Videos and Shorts100 left
  • Text message0 / 160
    GSM, 160 a text160 left
  • Page title0 / 60
    Google shows about 6060 left
  • Meta description0 / 160
    Google shows about 158160 left
  • Google Ads headline0 / 30
    Responsive search ad30 left
  • Google Ads description0 / 90
    Responsive search ad90 left

Character frequency

LettersAll characters

Add some text to see the characters you use most.

Counts change with every key you press, and all twelve limits are checked at once.

No account and no upload: the text is counted in this tab, however long it is.

  • Limits for X, Bluesky, Instagram and LinkedIn
  • SMS parts and Unicode warnings
  • Page title and meta description length

How to count characters online

Check the number of characters, spaces and limits in three steps.

  1. Count characters

    Type in the box, paste a caption or open a TXT, Word or PDF file. The character count changes with every key.

  2. Check character count

    See characters with and without spaces, and letters, digits, spaces, line breaks, emoji and bytes beside them.

  3. Fit a character limit

    Each limit, from an X post to a text message or a meta title, shows what is left. Trim cuts text that runs over.

Character limits for posts, texts and titles

X allows 280 characters in a post on a free account, but counts every link as 23 and most emoji and Chinese, Japanese or Korean characters as 2. Bluesky allows 300, Threads 500, an Instagram caption 2,200 and a LinkedIn post 3,000.

A text message holds 160 characters from the GSM alphabet that phones share. One emoji or curly quote switches the whole message to Unicode, which fits 70. Longer texts are sent in parts of 153 or 67, and each part is billed as a message.

Google trims titles and descriptions by width, not by count: about 600 pixels for a title, near 60 characters, and 920 for a description, near 158. Wide letters such as W fill the space sooner, so keep both a little under the guide.

What this character counter tool counts

  • With and without spaces

    Characters with spaces, without spaces and the spaces alone, so any form or brief can be checked.

  • Letter counter

    Letters, digits, punctuation and emoji are counted apart, so a letter count never takes in the rest.

  • Character limit checker

    Twelve common limits are checked at once, each showing the characters left or how far it runs over.

  • SMS character counter

    See if a text is GSM or Unicode, how many parts it takes and which characters forced the switch.

  • Letter frequency counter

    Rank every letter or character by how often it appears, with its count and share of the whole text.

  • Byte counter

    The UTF-8 size in bytes sits beside the count, for database fields, file names and code with a cap.

Your text stays on your device

Every count is worked out in this tab, so nothing you type ever leaves it.

  • Processing

    Each count and limit is worked out on your own phone or computer. Files you open are read there too.

  • Storage

    Your text waits in this browser so a refresh keeps it. Press Clear and it is wiped from the device.

  • Account

    Use it as often as you like with no sign-up or email. No one at Doblique ever sees what you count.

Character count questions

How many words is 1000 characters?

About 150 to 200 words, spaces included, as an English word and its space average 5 to 6 characters. 500 is about 80 to 100.

How many words is 4000 characters?

Roughly 600 to 750 words. That is the UCAS personal statement limit, which counts spaces and line breaks across all three answers.

How many characters in a tweet?

280 on a free X account and 25,000 with Premium. A link always counts as 23 and most emoji as 2, as the X row here counts them.

Do spaces count as characters?

Yes, on X, Instagram, in text messages and in most forms. Some essay and translation briefs use the count without spaces instead.

How many characters in a text message?

160 in plain GSM letters, or 70 once an emoji or curly quote makes it Unicode. Longer texts go in parts of 153 or 67 characters.

How long should a meta description be?

Aim for 120 to 155 characters. Google cuts the snippet at about 920 pixels on desktop, and wide letters fill that width sooner.

How do I count characters in Word?

Press Ctrl+Shift+G, or Command+Shift+G on a Mac. Word Count lists characters with and without spaces, plus words.

How many characters is an emoji?

One here, as you see it. X counts most emoji as 2, and in a text message one takes 2 or more of the 70 Unicode places.

Still stuck, or found a problem? Email dobliquestudio@gmail.com and we will help.

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