Character Counter
Live character counts with optional limits for tweets, meta tags and SMS.
Select a preset limit above to track usage against it.
What is the Character Counter?
The Character Counter is a free online tool that measures your text in real time: characters with and without spaces, words, and lines. You can also pick a preset limit — a 280-character X/Twitter post, a 160-character meta description, or a 160-character SMS — and watch a live meter show how much room you have left. Everything runs in your browser, so nothing you type is ever uploaded.
How to use it
- Paste or type your text into the box.
- Choose a limit preset from the dropdown, or leave it on “No limit” for plain counting.
- Watch the meter fill as you type and the “Remaining” card count down.
- If you go over, trim words until the meter drops back under the limit.
Key features
- Live counts for characters, characters without spaces, words, and lines.
- One-click presets for X/Twitter (280), meta descriptions (160), and SMS (160).
- A visual usage meter plus an exact “remaining” or “over” figure.
- Clear over-limit warning so you know exactly how much to cut.
- Fully private: counting happens on your device, with no sign-up.
Real-world use cases
Social media managers draft X posts that fit the 280-character cap. SEO writers keep meta descriptions near 160 characters so they display fully in Google. Marketers check SMS copy stays within a single 160-character segment to control costs. Developers verify form fields and database columns accept the text they plan to store.
Practical tips
- X counts every character including spaces, links, and line breaks — draft here, not in the app.
- Keep meta descriptions between 150 and 160 characters for the best chance of full display.
- An SMS longer than 160 characters is sent (and billed) as multiple segments.