A single SMS can hold only a small amount of data: 140 bytes. How many characters that is depends on the encoding. Understanding this makes it easy to keep messages short, cheap and readable when you send SMS online.
Two encodings
| Encoding | Used for | Single message | Each part of a longer message |
|---|---|---|---|
| GSM-7 | Basic Latin letters, digits and common symbols | 160 characters | 153 characters |
| UCS-2 (Unicode) | Emoji, Arabic, Cyrillic, Hindi, Chinese and accented characters not in GSM-7 | 70 characters | 67 characters |
- Encoding: GSM-7
- Used for
- Basic Latin letters, digits and common symbols
- Single message
- 160 characters
- Each part of a longer message
- 153 characters
- Encoding: UCS-2 (Unicode)
- Used for
- Emoji, Arabic, Cyrillic, Hindi, Chinese and accented characters not in GSM-7
- Single message
- 70 characters
- Each part of a longer message
- 67 characters
A single character outside GSM-7 switches the whole message to Unicode, so adding one emoji can cut your limit from 160 to 70.
Long messages
Texts longer than the limit are split into parts and joined by the receiving phone. Each part is billed, so a 200-character message in GSM-7 uses two parts. The counter in the Globfone texting tool shows both the number of characters and the encoding, so you can adjust before sending. For best reliability keep it to one part.
Tips for short, safe messages
- Avoid emoji and typographic quotes if you need the 160-character limit.
- Put the key information first, in case the message is truncated or displayed as a flash.
- Do not include links to unknown domains; spam filters on some networks block them.
- Sign the message with your name, because the recipient may not recognise the sender ID.
Delivery in practice
Once sent, the message passes through a provider and the recipient's network. Delays of a few minutes happen, and on lower-cost routes a few messages are never delivered. If it matters, confirm by another channel such as a call. To understand the path from your browser to a handset read how an SMS reaches a mobile phone.
Questions about verification or limits? See the FAQ.
Quick reference
| You want to… | Do this |
|---|---|
| Keep it to one part | Under 160 characters and no emoji |
| Use emoji or non-Latin letters | Expect 70 characters per part |
| Send a long note | Split it into two messages that make sense on their own |
| Check the encoding | Look at the counter in the SMS tool |
Is Free SMS Really Free? How to Spot Subscription Traps
Sending SMS to India, Pakistan, the UK and Beyond Without Roaming Fees
How to Send an SMS to a Mobile Phone From a Computer
Calls and Texts Without Your Carrier: Apps Versus the Browser