Free SMS Character Counter
Count characters and segments for any text message. See if it fits in one text, find the characters that switch it to Unicode, fix them in one tap, and estimate what it costs to send to your list. Free, no sign-up.
What will it cost to send?
Everything runs in your browser. Nothing you type is sent or saved. Carriers bill by segment, so a message that needs 2 segments costs twice as much to send.
How many characters are in a text message?
| Message type | 1 text | Each part of a longer text |
|---|---|---|
| GSM-7 (plain text) | 160 characters | 153 characters |
| Unicode / UCS-2 (emoji, curly quotes, Hebrew) | 70 characters | 67 characters |
| Example: 200 plain characters | 2 segments, billed as 2 texts | |
| Example: 100 characters + 1 emoji | 2 segments, billed as 2 texts | |
Why did my text drop to 70 characters?
These force Unicode (70 characters)
One of these anywhere in your message drops the limit for the whole text. The counter above highlights them in red, and the fix button swaps the fixable ones for plain versions.
’“ ”—…🙂שáThese count as 2 characters
They're allowed in GSM-7 but take two spots each, so a message full of them fills up faster. The counter highlights them in yellow.
^{ }[ ]~|\€How to keep your text to one segment
Every extra segment is another text you pay for, on every phone on your list. These six habits keep most messages under 160.
Type it, don't paste it
Pasting from Word or Docs brings in curly quotes and long dashes. Type in the box, or hit the fix button.
Skip the emoji
One smiley cuts the limit from 160 to 70. Save emoji for the messages where they really matter.
One message, one ask
Say what's happening, when and what to do. If it needs three paragraphs, it's an email.
Count the opt-out line
"Reply STOP to opt out" adds 22 characters. Tick the box above so it's included in your count.
Use short links
A long URL can eat half your message. Shorten it, or ask people to reply with a word instead.
Write times plainly
"Sun 10AM" reads fine on a phone and saves characters over "Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m."
Text message templates under 160 characters
Ready to copy. Every one is plain GSM-7 and fits in a single text, so it costs the least to send.
Reminder: Sunday service is at 10AM this week instead of 9:30. Overflow parking on Pine St. See you there!
We need 4 volunteers to help set up for the fall festival Saturday at 2PM. Reply SERVE and we'll send details.
Shabbos times: Candle lighting 4:22, Mincha 4:25, Shacharis 9:00. Kiddush after davening. Good Shabbos!
We need 2 more for Mincha at 1:30 today in the shul. Reply YES if you can come. Tizku l'mitzvos!
Due to the storm, school will dismiss at 12:30 today. Buses run at 12:45. Reply HELP if you need pickup support.
Our science fair is Thursday at 6PM in the gym. Reply YES to RSVP and let us know how many are coming.
We're $1,200 from our goal for winter coats. Every $25 keeps a child warm. Give here: [link]. Thank you!
See you tomorrow at the food drive! 9AM at the community center, 120 Main St. Reply CANCEL if plans changed.
Send it to your whole list in one click
Your message is ready. Evant sends it to your whole community by text, collects the replies and handles carrier registration for you. Plans start at $20/month.
Try Evant free- Two-way texting with your whole list
- Text-to-RSVP: people reply YES to confirm
- Targeted and scheduled texts
- Voice broadcast at 1.5¢ a minute
- Works on every phone, no app needed
More free tools and guides
Things that go well with a well-counted text.
SMS Character Counter FAQ
What is the character limit for a text message?
160 characters for a plain GSM-7 text, or 70 if the message contains any emoji, curly quotes or non-Latin letters. Longer messages are sent as multiple segments and reassembled on the phone, so the person still sees one message.
What is an SMS segment?
A segment is one billable piece of a text message. A long message is split into segments of 153 characters (GSM-7) or 67 characters (Unicode) and stitched back together on the phone. Carriers charge for each segment, so a 2-segment message costs twice as much to send.
Why is a long segment 153 characters, not 160?
When a message is split, each part carries a small header that tells the phone how to put the pieces back in order. That header takes up 7 characters' worth of space, leaving 153 for your text (or 67 instead of 70 for Unicode).
Do emojis count as more than one character?
Yes. An emoji switches the whole message to Unicode, which lowers the limit to 70, and most emojis also count as 2 characters on their own. So a 100-character message with a single emoji becomes 2 segments instead of 1.
Do spaces and line breaks count as characters?
Yes. Every space and line break counts as 1 character in GSM-7.
Can I send Hebrew or Spanish accented letters by text?
Yes, but they need Unicode, so each text holds 70 characters instead of 160. Some accented letters like é, è, ñ and ü are part of GSM-7 and don't change the limit. The counter tells you which is which.
Does adding "Reply STOP to opt out" change the count?
Yes. On its own line it adds 22 characters. Tick the opt-out box in the counter to include it, so you know your real total before you send.
Is this SMS character counter free?
Yes. It's free, needs no sign-up and runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is sent or saved.
Last updated November 2026 by the Evant team.
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