SMS Character Counter
Type your SMS to see how many characters it has and how many messages it will be split into.
SMS length
GSM-7 fits 160 characters in one message, or 153 in each part of a longer one. Any character outside GSM-7, such as Bangla letters or emoji, switches the whole message to Unicode: 70 characters, or 67 per part.
How to use it
- Type or paste your message.
- Read the number of messages and the characters left.
- Shorten the text if it spills into an extra message.
About this tool
A single SMS in the basic GSM-7 alphabet holds 160 characters. If the text is longer it is split and each part holds 153 characters, because a few characters in each part are used to join the parts back together.
If a message has any character outside GSM-7, such as a Bangla or Hindi letter, an emoji or some curly quotes, the whole message is sent as Unicode. That allows only 70 characters in one message, or 67 in each part of a longer one. A few symbols such as € and { } count as two characters even in GSM-7.
Examples
- 161 plain letters use 2 messages (GSM-7).
- 71 Bangla letters use 2 messages (Unicode (UCS-2)).
- One emoji turns a message into Unicode, so only 70 characters fit in a single message.
Tips
- Avoid curly quotes and emoji in English messages to stay in GSM-7.
- Providers charge per segment, so a message that just spills over costs double.
Questions and answers
How many characters are in one SMS?
160 in GSM-7, or 70 if the message contains Unicode characters such as Bangla letters or emoji.
Why does my message count as two SMS?
It is over the single-message limit. Longer messages are split into parts of 153 characters in GSM-7, or 67 in Unicode.
How many characters is a Bangla SMS?
70 characters in one message, and 67 per part when it is longer.
Is my text saved or sent anywhere?
No. Everything happens in your browser on your own device. The text you type or paste is never sent to Paul Digital or any other server.
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Privacy
Everything runs in your browser on your own device. The text you type or paste is never sent to Paul Digital or any other server.