SMS Character Counter – Optimize Your Messages

Stay Within Limits, Maximize Impact!

Easily check your SMS length and optimize your text for better delivery. Ensure your messages stay within limits to avoid extra costs and maximize engagement

SMS Length Calculator

Welcome to our SMS length calculator, a user-friendly tool designed to count the number of characters in your text message and offer deeper insights into its composition.

Insert Message Content


Encoding: 7bit

SMS Parts: 1

Chars Used: 0

Chars in SMS: 160

SMS Character Limits

Standard SMS messages using GSM-7 encoding are limited to 160 characters. Messages with Unicode characters (like emojis) are limited to 70 characters.

Message concatenation, supported by most modern networks, allows longer texts to be split into multiple segments. However, each segment is billed separately, increasing costs. The 160-character limit applies to GSM-7 encoded messages, while non-GSM-7 messages have a 70-character limit. Messages exceeding these limits are split and reassembled on the recipient’s device.

SMSLocal supports sending long SMS messages up to 1600 characters. However, for optimal performance and cost-effectiveness, we recommend keeping messages under 320 characters to ensure readability and user experience.

SMS Character Encoding and Message Length

SMS messages are limited to 160 characters. If a message exceeds this limit, it is broken into smaller segments for transmission. Each segment can only contain 153 characters, as a header is added to reassemble the message correctly on the recipient’s device.

Character Encoding and Message Segmentation

  • GSM-7 Encoding: This encoding supports standard characters and has a limit of 160 characters per message. Messages exceeding this limit are divided into 153-character segments.
  • UCS-2 Encoding: This encoding is used for special characters, such as emojis, and symbols from non-Latin alphabets (e.g., Chinese, Arabic). The character limit for UCS-2 encoding is 70 characters per message. Messages that exceed this limit are segmented into 67-character parts.

Smart Encoding and Cost Savings

SMSLocal uses Smart Encoding to optimize message length and costs. This feature automatically replaces certain non-GSM-7 characters with equivalent GSM characters whenever possible. By reducing the number of segments required for a message, Smart Encoding helps minimize SMS costs.

How It Works

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Create Campaigns

Create sms campaign select contact group and sms template.

Start Messaging

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Everything You Need To Stay Connected

Create Contact Groups

Organize contacts into specific groups for efficient communication management.
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Create SMS Templates

Save frequently used messages for quick and consistent communication.

Schedule SMS Messages

Plan and automate message sending for specific dates and times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I really send unlimited text messages for free?

Yes! Many free messaging apps allow unlimited texting without a carrier plan. You can send messages, pictures, videos, and emojis to individuals or groups from your phone or web platform. Some services may have a daily limit for free texts, but many offer a premium upgrade for unlimited access.

  1. Sign up for SMSLocal and create a new SMS campaign.
  2. Build your contact list, compose a concise message, and preview it.
  3. Send the campaign, track results, and optimize for future campaigns.

Yes! With SMSLocal, you can send free text messages online without using your personal phone number. Just access the platform via the web and start texting instantly.

It’s recommended to avoid sharing sensitive personal details like passwords, bank info, or confidential work messages over free texting services unless they offer strong encryption.

You can do both! Many free texting services provide web-based platforms, allowing you to send and receive messages from your computer. This makes it easy to stay connected without constantly checking your phone, especially for work or long conversations.