SMS Character Counting and Limits

Explains the 160-character SMS limit and what happens to message count and cost when you go over it.

Learn more about the importance of counting the characters within text messages sent by Recart.

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If you are using text messages as a communication method, you will want to take note of the number/type of characters within your SMS messages. This will help define the number of messages that you will be sending out.

In general, the character limit for one SMS message is 160 characters, which includes spaces and line breaks.

What happens when you exceed 160 characters?

• If you add more than 160 characters to your SMS message, your message will be sent as multiple messages
• Multiple SMS messages will appear to the recipient as a single message but will be charged as separate messages

  • Note that there is no limit to the number of SMS messages
• When your SMS message includes special characters such as emojis or other symbols, the character limit changes

  • For an SMS message that contains these special characters, the character limit becomes 70 characters per message.
• Please note that when you are sending multiple messages the character limits are fewer:

  • Without special characters: 153 is the limit
  • With special characters: 67 is the limit

Where can I see my character count?

• When creating your SMS message, you will be able to see the number of used characters as well as the number of messages that you will be charged for depending on the number/type of characters that you have used.

What are the default characters per message?

• SMS - 160 Characters
• SMS with Emojis - 70 Characters
• MMS - 1000

What affects your character count?

Site Name

• Your site name will automatically be added at the beginning of each SMS message that is sent and is counted into the total amount of characters within your message

Discount Codes

• Your discount code will be counted into the total amount of characters within your message

Links

• Shortlinks count toward your message count but they are shortened by Recart automatically
• You can also update the shortlink in your SMS Settings Page

Variables

• The characters of your variables will be counted into the total amount of characters within your message.
• Variable include but are not limited to:

  • Site Name
  • First Name
  • Support Email

Pasting Text

• Copying and pasting text from another site/program can result in increased character count due to hidden formatting or encoding. It is best to rewrite any text you would like to use.

Special characters

• When your message includes emojis and/or special characters (including but not limited to ° · − ‘ ¢ ¶ ± × «© ® ½) the character limit you have left is 70 characters.

Images & GIFs

• When you add an image or a GIF to your text message and it is converted to an MMS message, the character limit automatically increases to 1000 characters.
• This allows you to provide further details to your customers about your brand, current promotions, new products, etc.

Contact card

• When you add your Contact card to your text message and it is converted to an MMS message, the character limit also automatically increases to 1000 characters, similarly when adding images or GIFs.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the Recart Support team. We'd be happy to help!