// FAQ
How many characters fit in an SMS?
160 characters: where this limit comes from and how to use it well.
160 characters. Accents and special characters may be converted to guarantee proper receipt on all mobiles.
A standard SMS holds 160 characters. The form counts your input in real time so you stay within this single-message limit.
The answer in detail
The 160-character limit comes from the historical encoding of SMS. As long as you stay below it, the message goes out in a single block, readable at a glance on the recipient's side.
Some characters weigh more. Emojis and a few symbols switch the message to an extended encoding that reduces the available capacity: a text packed with emojis reaches the limit faster than a plain one.
The exercise, then, is to keep it to the essentials: a clear piece of information, minimal context, and possibly a way to reach you back if you wish. The counter shows you continuously how much room you have left.
Real-world examples
›A short, clear message
"Hi, still available for the bike listing? Reply here if so." fits comfortably within the limit.
›Mind the emojis
Piling on emojis makes the number of remaining characters drop faster than expected.
Key takeaway
160 characters for a simple SMS; emojis and symbols cut down the available room.
Related questions
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