SMS Length Calculator: Count Characters and SMS Segments
Paste your message to see how many characters it has, whether it is sent as GSM-7 or Unicode, and how many SMS segments it will use. Plan your bulk SMS and avoid paying for extra segments.
Start typing to see your SMS length.
SMS credits needed: 0
How is SMS length calculated?
SMS length depends on the encoding. Plain English text uses the GSM-7 alphabet and fits 160 characters in one SMS. If even one character is outside that alphabet, such as a Nepali letter or an emoji, the whole message switches to Unicode and fits only 70 characters. Longer messages are split into segments.
| Encoding | One SMS | Each part of a long SMS | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| GSM-7 | 160 characters | 153 characters | English text, numbers and common symbols |
| Unicode (UCS-2) | 70 characters | 67 characters | Nepali (Devanagari), emojis, curly quotes |
What counts as one SMS segment?
A segment is one unit of SMS delivery. A message that fits in one segment is sent as a single SMS. A longer message is sent as several linked segments that the phone joins back together, and each segment uses one SMS credit per recipient. The calculator above shows the segment count and the credits for your audience.
How can you keep your SMS to one segment?
- Keep English messages under 160 characters and Nepali (Unicode) messages under 70 characters.
- Replace curly quotes, long dashes and the ellipsis character with plain keyboard versions.
- Avoid emojis unless they are worth the extra segments.
- Remember that [ ] ~ ^ | and the euro sign count as two characters in GSM-7.
- Put the offer and the call to action first, and cut filler words.
Ready to send? Compare bulk SMS pricing in Nepal and pick the pack that fits your volume, or use the Unicode SMS character checker to clean up your text first.
Frequently asked questions
How many characters fit in one SMS?
A single SMS holds up to 160 characters in the standard GSM-7 alphabet, or up to 70 characters if the message uses Unicode, such as Nepali (Devanagari) text or emojis. Longer messages are split into linked segments of 153 (GSM-7) or 67 (Unicode) characters each.
How many characters can I send in a Nepali SMS?
Nepali text uses Unicode, so one SMS segment holds 70 characters, and each extra segment of a longer message holds 67 characters. A Nepali message of 140 characters therefore uses 3 segments. Write shorter messages to save SMS credits.
Why does my message count as more than one SMS?
Your message is either longer than one segment, or it contains a character outside the GSM-7 alphabet, which switches the whole message to Unicode and cuts the limit from 160 to 70 characters. Use the Unicode Character Checker to find the character that causes it.
Do emojis and special characters cost more?
Yes. An emoji or a curly quote switches the entire message to Unicode, so it fits fewer characters per segment and may need extra segments. Characters such as { } [ ] ~ ^ | and the euro sign count as two characters even in GSM-7.
How does the number of segments affect SMS credits?
Each segment uses one SMS credit for every recipient. A message of 2 segments sent to 1,000 people uses 2,000 credits. In the WebGradee dashboard, the campaign summary shows the estimated credits before you launch.
Ready to Send Your First Bulk SMS?
Tell us your business and how many SMS you plan to send. We will set up your account and help you pick the right pack.
- Call / SMS+977 9817549221
- Emailinfo@webgradee.com
- Open 7 days a weekA real Nepali team for support, sales and billing, every single day.
- Visit usDhaulagiri Chowk, Kalanki, Kathmandu, Nepal
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