Meta Description Length Checker

Understanding Meta Description Length Limits

Meta description length limits vary between devices and sometimes between search queries. Understanding these limits helps you craft descriptions that display effectively across all platforms. Google's display limits have evolved over time, making it important to stay current with best practices.

While there's no hard character limit enforced by search engines, display truncation occurs at approximately 155-160 characters on desktop and 120 characters on mobile. Optimizing for both ensures your message reaches all users regardless of their device.

Desktop vs Mobile Length Differences

Desktop search results display more text than mobile results. With mobile-first indexing, Google primarily considers mobile display, making the 120-character mobile limit increasingly important. Front-load key information within the first 120 characters.

Pixel Width vs Character Count

Like title tags, meta descriptions are actually limited by pixel width rather than character count. However, character count provides a reliable guideline for most cases. Our checker focuses on character count as the primary metric.

When Descriptions Get Truncated

Truncated descriptions end with an ellipsis (...), potentially cutting off important calls-to-action or unique selling points. Structure your descriptions so the most critical information appears first, ensuring visibility even if truncation occurs.

Optimal Length Range

The sweet spot for meta descriptions is 150-160 characters for desktop and 120 characters or less for guaranteed mobile visibility. If you must choose, optimize for mobile first, as this represents the majority of search traffic.