FREE SMS SEGMENT CALCULATOR
SMS character counter.
Check your text before you pay to send it. See how many SMS segments it uses—the pieces texting apps charge for.
Check your SMS length1. Paste your text
Or try an example belowCount the whole text, including your link, store name and opt-out line, such as “Reply STOP.”
Sending number & app settings
A toll-free number has slightly less room in long texts. Leave Standard SMS selected if you are not sure, then check your app.
This tool counts exactly what you paste. It does not shorten links or change quotes for you.
2. See what you’ll send
Uses the standard SMS format: GSM-7.
One segment is sent to each person.Your text fits in one segment.
55 units leftUse a whole number from 1 to 1,000,000.
Your rate and fees set the cost. This is a segment count, not a price quote.
Why this count?
Check the rules: Twilio’s SMS limits and GSM-7 symbols. Toll-free counts use Twilio’s limits for messages sent to the US or Canada.
Preview this text on a phone
One bubble can still use two segments.
A phone usually joins the pieces together. Your texting app may charge for each piece. The counter above shows those pieces.
This is a preview. No text is sent.
One emoji can double the segments.
Our sample uses 1 segment. Add ✨ and it uses 2. Send it to 1,000 people and that’s 2,000 segments instead of 1,000.
BEFORE YOU HIT SEND
Checking a draft from
Twilio or Klaviyo?
Paste the final text from your app. A few details can change the count:
- Fill in a real name.Replace a name tag with a long name. A longer name can add a segment.
- Use the link your app will send.A tracked or shortened link may have a different length.
- Keep the opt-out line.Count any words or links your app adds at the end.
- Check the app’s final preview.Some apps turn curly quotes into plain ones. This tool changes them only when you ask.
Works with pasted SMS drafts from any app. No account connection needed. This counter is for SMS, not MMS, RCS or WhatsApp.
SMS CHARACTER LIMITS
Why did one text
count as two?
SMS has limited space. When a text is too long, it gets split into segments. Your phone usually shows them as one message, but each segment can add to your bill.
| Text format | One segment | Two or more segments |
|---|---|---|
| Basic letters & symbols GSM-7 | 160 units | 153 units each |
| Emoji, curly quotes & more Unicode | 70 units | 67 units each |
Most letters use one unit of space. In GSM-7, symbols like ^, € and { } use two each. Many emoji use two or more Unicode units. One emoji can switch the whole text to Unicode.
US/Canada toll-free numbers use 152 GSM-7 or 66 Unicode units per segment in long texts. Unicode is counted in UTF-16 units. Sources: Twilio’s SMS limits and Twilio’s guide to GSM-7 symbols.
See where the count changes.
Add one letter, emoji or symbol. See what happens to the count.
| Text to count | SMS units | Segments |
|---|---|---|
160 copies of a | 160GSM-7 | 1160 units |
161 copies of a | 161GSM-7 | 2153 + 8 units |
70 copies of a | 70GSM-7 | 170 units |
70 copies of a, then 😀 | 72Unicode | 267 + 5 units |
80 copies of ^ | 160GSM-7 | 1160 units |
81 copies of ^ | 162GSM-7 | 2152 + 10 units |
No spaces are added between the copies. These rows use Standard SMS. The small numbers show the units in each segment. Choose the toll-free setting above if that is how you send.
Count the whole draft. Words, spaces, line breaks and links all take up room. Keep your store name and “Reply STOP” line in the count.
Use the final text. This tool does not fill in names, shorten links or add your app’s words. It counts SMS only. It does not quote a price.
Is the SMS character limit 160 or 70?
Both. A single SMS holds up to 160 GSM-7 units, which covers many everyday letters and symbols. Emoji and characters such as curly quotes use Unicode, which has room for 70 units. Longer texts use smaller segments: 153 or 67 units each.
How can I reduce my SMS segment count?
Cut words you do not need. Try removing an emoji, or use the button to change curly quotes and dashes to plain ones. Watch the segment count as you edit. Keep the meaning, the link and the opt-out line.
Why does my SMS app show a different count?
Your app may shorten links, add an opt-out line, fill in names or replace special characters. For example, Twilio Smart Encoding can swap some Unicode characters for GSM-7 ones. Paste the final version and choose the right sending number above. Country, carrier and app billing rules can also differ.
Can this calculator show my exact SMS cost?
It shows how many SMS segments your text uses. For a rough sending cost, multiply total segments by your app’s rate per segment, then add any fees. Rates and credit rules vary by app and country, so check your plan for the final cost.
Does this tool send or save my text?
No. The count runs in your browser. Your text is not uploaded, saved or sent. When you leave or reload this page, your draft is gone. Copy it first if you want to keep it.
SENDING TEXTS FOR YOUR SHOPIFY STORE?
Send the reminder.
Answer the reply.
myuser.ai sends texts about the products a shopper left behind. When they reply with a question, it answers and helps them get back to their cart.
Copy your draft before leaving. This calculator does not send texts or move them into myuser.ai.