Search result preview
Google cuts titles and descriptions by pixel width, not by character count, and sometimes writes its own. This preview is an estimate.
This SERP snippet preview shows how a page may appear in Google results before you publish it. Type your title tag and meta description to see them in a search-result card, with the character count, the pixel width and a warning when text is likely to be cut off.
How to use the SERP Snippet Preview Tool
- 1 Enter your title tag, meta description and page URL.
- 2 Watch the bars and notes: green means it should fit, amber means it is short, red means part of it will be cut off.
- 3 Switch between Desktop and Mobile, edit until the preview reads well, then use the text on your page.
Worked examples
Input: 78 characters, about 640 px
Result: Red bar, text ends with an ellipsis
Shorten it or move the important words to the front.
Input: 56 characters, about 520 px
Result: Green bar, shown in full
Roughly 50 to 60 characters is a safe target.
Why preview a search snippet?
The title and description are your advert in search results. If the title is cut off in the middle of a key phrase, or the description ends mid-sentence, fewer people click. A preview lets you fix that before the page goes live.
Characters versus pixels
Google does not count characters. It measures the width of the text in pixels and cuts it when it runs out of space, around 600 pixels for a desktop title. Narrow letters such as "i" and "l" take less room than "W" or "M", so two titles with the same character count can be cut at different points. This tool measures the real pixel width of your text, which is more useful than a character counter.
Rules of thumb
- Title: about 50 to 60 characters. Put the main keyword near the start and the brand at the end.
- Description: about 120 to 155 characters. Describe what the visitor gets and give a reason to click.
- URL: short, readable and lowercase. Google shows it as a breadcrumb trail.
An estimate, not a guarantee
Google may show a different title or description than the ones you wrote, for example when it thinks another part of your page better matches the search. It also changes its layout from time to time. Use this preview as a guide to writing text that is easy to show in full.
Frequently asked questions
How long can a title tag be before Google cuts it off?
There is no fixed character limit. Google cuts titles at about 600 pixels on desktop, which is usually 50 to 60 characters. Wide letters use more space, so the safe length varies.
Why does Google show a different title than the one I wrote?
Google sometimes rewrites titles that are too long, too short, stuffed with keywords or that do not match the page well. A clear, accurate title that fits the width is the best way to keep yours.
What is the best meta description length?
Between roughly 120 and 155 characters. Shorter can be fine if it is complete, but very short descriptions are often replaced by text from the page.
Does the mobile preview differ from desktop?
Slightly. Phones show the title over more lines and use a different width, so the limits here are different. The preview is approximate for both.
Is my text sent anywhere?
No. The preview and the pixel measurement run in your browser.
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