Free tool · Bulk SMS
SMS Character Counter
Paste your SMS to see the character count, whether it is GSM-7 or Unicode, and how many segments (credits) it will use. The tool also highlights the characters that silently switch a message to Unicode.
Quick answer: a single SMS holds 160 GSM-7 characters or 70 Unicode characters. Longer messages are split into parts of 153 (GSM-7) or 67 (Unicode) characters, and each part is billed as one SMS. One emoji, Hindi letter or curly quote turns the whole message into Unicode.
Note: your text contains GSM extension characters ( ^ { } \ [ ] ~ | € ). Each one counts as 2 characters.
Try a sample:
Privacy: everything runs in your browser. Nothing you type is uploaded or stored.
How to Use the SMS Character Counter
- Type or paste your message into the box. The counts update as you type.
- Check the encoding. GSM-7 is the standard SMS alphabet (English letters, numbers and common symbols). If it shows Unicode, the tool lists the characters responsible.
- Click Replace look-alike characters to swap curly quotes, long dashes, the ellipsis character and hidden spaces for plain equivalents. Emoji and regional scripts cannot be replaced, so decide whether you need them.
- Look at SMS segments. This is the number of SMS each recipient receives and the number you are normally billed for.
- Enter the number of recipients to estimate total SMS credits for the campaign.
SMS Length Limits at a Glance
| Encoding | Single SMS | Each part of a long SMS | Typical content |
|---|---|---|---|
| GSM-7 | 160 characters | 153 characters | English text, numbers, basic punctuation |
| Unicode (UCS-2) | 70 characters | 67 characters | Hindi, Arabic, Tamil and other scripts, emoji, curly quotes |
Example: a 161-character GSM-7 message is 2 segments (153 + 8). A 140-character Unicode message is 3 segments (67 + 67 + 6), not 2. Emoji usually count as 2 Unicode characters because they sit outside the basic character range.
Why GSM-7 vs Unicode Matters for Cost
Most providers bill per segment. A promotional message of 150 English characters costs 1 SMS per recipient. Add one emoji and the same text becomes Unicode, needs 3 segments and costs three times as much. For a 50,000-recipient campaign that is the difference between 50,000 and 150,000 credits. Check every template here before you load it into your SMS panel.
India DLT Notes for Bulk SMS
- Register first: commercial SMS in India must go through a TRAI DLT platform. You register your business (Principal Entity), your sender ID (header) and every message template before sending.
- Match the template exactly: the text you send must match the approved template. Only the {#var#} parts may change. Extra spaces, changed words or a different URL can cause the message to be blocked.
- Keep variables short: many operator DLT portals limit each {#var#} to 30 characters. Count the template with realistic values filled in, because the sent message, not the template, decides the segment count.
- Pick the right category: promotional, transactional, service implicit or service explicit. Promotional SMS can only go to numbers that are not on the DND (NCPR) list and only in the permitted hours (generally 10 am to 9 pm).
- Headers: transactional and service headers are usually 6 characters. Registered headers now carry a suffix that shows the message type. See our guide to header suffixes -P, -S, -T and -G.
- Unicode templates: if you send in Hindi or another regional language, register the template in that script and keep it short to stay within 1 or 2 segments.
New to DLT? Read our DLT registration guide for India and what affects bulk SMS pricing in India, or see our bulk SMS service.
Tips to Keep SMS Short and Effective
- Put the key information (offer, OTP, amount, date) in the first 60 characters, because many phones show only a preview.
- Use a short, branded link on a domain you own, and register it with the template where your DLT operator requires it.
- Identify your brand and include an opt-out for promotional messages.
- Avoid all-capital words and repeated punctuation; they read as spam and waste characters.
- Test the final message on Android and iPhone before a large send.
SMS Character Counter FAQs
How many characters are in one SMS?
One SMS holds 160 characters when the whole message uses the GSM-7 alphabet, or 70 characters if any character needs Unicode (UCS-2), such as Hindi, Arabic, emoji or curly quotes.
Why does my long SMS count as 153 characters per part?
When a message is longer than one SMS it is split into parts and each part carries a small header (UDH) so the phone can join them again. That header uses 7 characters, so each part of a GSM-7 message holds 153 characters, and each part of a Unicode message holds 67.
Why did my English message switch to Unicode?
Usually because of one invisible or look-alike character: curly quotes copied from Word, a long dash, an ellipsis character, a non-breaking space or an emoji. The counter lists these characters and the Replace button swaps the common ones for plain GSM equivalents.
Do characters like [ ] { } and the euro sign count double?
Yes. Characters from the GSM-7 extension table ( ^ { } \ [ ] ~ | and the euro sign) are sent with an escape character, so each counts as 2 towards the limit even though the message stays GSM-7.
Am I charged per message or per segment?
Most SMS providers bill per segment (part). A 300-character GSM-7 message is 2 segments and is billed as 2 SMS per recipient. A 300-character Unicode message is 5 segments.
How do I send Hindi or regional language SMS in India?
Regional language SMS is sent as Unicode, so each message holds 70 characters (67 per part when longer). Register the template in Unicode on your DLT portal exactly as you will send it, and keep the text short to control the segment count.
What is {#var#} in DLT templates?
On India's DLT platforms, {#var#} marks the variable part of a registered template, such as a name, amount or OTP. The text you send must match the registered template, with only the variable parts changing. Many operators limit each variable to 30 characters, so check your DLT portal.
Does this tool store or send my message?
No. The counter runs entirely in your browser. Your text is not uploaded or saved anywhere.
More free tools: WhatsApp link generator · all free tools. Related: Bulk SMS service, WhatsApp Business API, RCS messaging, SMS template library.
Need Bulk SMS With DLT Help?
We set up bulk SMS for India and international routes: DLT registration guidance, sender IDs, templates, API and delivery reports. Indicative SMS pilot setup from $79. Pricing is based on your requirement: tell us what you need and we reply with a written custom quote, usually within one working day. Read more about our bulk SMS service.
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Pay only after you have agreed a written quote with us. Questions? Email info@dndteams.com or call +91 88274 09728. DND Teams, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.