Why pixels matter more than characters
Google has no official character limit for a meta description. It shortens the text to fit the width of the result, which is measured in pixels. A wide letter such as W takes more room than an i, so two descriptions of the same number of characters can fit differently. Commonly used working limits are:
- Title: about 600 pixels, which is usually 50 to 60 characters.
- Description on desktop: about 920 pixels, usually 150 to 160 characters.
- Description on mobile: about 680 pixels, usually around 120 characters.
These are guides, not rules, and Google changes its layout from time to time.
What this tool does
- Counts characters with and without spaces for the title and the description.
- Measures the width in pixels in a font like the one Google uses.
- Shows a preview of the result for desktop or mobile, with an ellipsis where the text would be cut.
- Gives you the title and meta tags, ready to copy.
How to write a good meta description
- Say what the page offers in plain words, and put the main point first, since mobile cuts the end.
- Include the words people search for, which Google shows in bold in the result.
- Write a different description for every page.
- Do not stuff keywords, and do not promise what the page does not give.
Google may use another snippet
A meta description is not a ranking factor, and Google often writes its own snippet from the page when it thinks that matches the search better. A clear description that matches what people look for is more likely to be kept.
Related tools
For a plain count use the character counter with spaces, for social posts the X character counter, and for page icons the favicon preview. The character count guide lists the limits of other places.