SMS Message Size Limits

All phone carriers internationally measure text messages in character batches called segments.  Segments are typically 160 characters or 70 characters, depending on the encoding type.  

Generally, most messages use the standard of GSM-7 encoding, and have up to 160 characters per segment.

How length influences your messaging cost*:

• 0 – 160 characters – 1 segment and charged as a single message
• 161 – 306 characters – 2 segments and charged as two messages
• 307 – 459 characters – 3 segments and charged as three messages
• 460 – 612 characters – 4 segments and charged as four messages
• 613 – 765 characters – 5 segments and charged as five messages
• 766 – 918 characters – 6 segments and charged as six messages
• 919 – 1,071 characters – 7 segments and charged as seven messages
• 1,072 – 1,224 characters – 8 segments and charged as eight messages
• 1,225 – 1,377 characters – 9 segments and charged as nine messages
• 1,378 – 1,530 characters – 10 segments and charged as ten messages

*Assuming GSM-7 encoding

What are common UNICODE characters?

These are commonly-used characters that will change your message encoding type from GSM7 to unicode, which will lower your segment character count from 160 to 70 characters per segment.

Emojis (Partial List)

Non-Emoji Unicode Characters