VSThiran

Text & Writing

Free Character Counter

Count characters with and without spaces, live as you type.

Free to useNo sign-up requiredNo watermarkRuns in your browser

This free character counter shows the character count with and without spaces the moment you type, alongside words, sentences, paragraphs and lines. It exists because character limits are everywhere - meta descriptions, SMS messages, bios, form fields - and they are usually enforced to the exact character.

The distinction between counting with and without spaces matters more than people expect. On a 4,000-character personal statement the difference can be several hundred characters.

How this tool works

  1. Paste or type your text

    The character count updates on every keystroke, with no button to press.

  2. Choose which count you need

    Characters including spaces is the usual meaning. Characters excluding spaces is what some application forms and academic limits specify - check which one applies before trimming.

  3. Trim to fit

    Edit directly in the box and watch the number fall. Nothing is submitted anywhere while you work.

How it works

Characters are counted as the string length, which includes letters, digits, punctuation, spaces and line breaks. That is what almost every platform means by a character limit.

The "without spaces" figure removes all whitespace - spaces, tabs and line breaks - leaving only visible characters.

An emoji or an accented letter may count as more than one character in some systems, because of how text is stored. This counter uses JavaScript string length, which is what browser-based form validation also uses, so the two agree.

Everything happens in your browser. Nothing is uploaded, which matters if you are drafting something confidential.

Common character limits

SMS, single message160 characters
X / Twitter post280 characters
Meta descriptionAbout 155 characters
SEO page titleAbout 60 characters
Instagram bio150 characters
YouTube title100 characters
LinkedIn headline220 characters
UCAS personal statement4,000 characters

With spaces or without?

  • Social platforms, SMS and search snippets count spaces. Assume "with spaces" unless told otherwise.
  • Some university and job application forms specify "excluding spaces", which gives you noticeably more room.
  • Translation and copywriting are often priced per character excluding spaces.
  • When a form does not say, count with spaces - it is the stricter reading and cannot leave you over the limit.

Worked examples

A meta description that fits

Aim for 150 to 155 characters including spaces. Longer descriptions get cut off with an ellipsis in search results.

One SMS instead of two

A plain SMS holds 160 characters. Going one character over sends two messages and can cost twice as much.

A 4,000-character statement

Check whether the limit excludes spaces. On a piece that length the difference is often 600 to 700 characters - a whole paragraph.

Frequently asked questions

Is this character counter free?

Yes, free with no sign-up and no limit on the amount of text.

Is my text sent anywhere?

No. Your text never leaves your device. Everything is processed by your browser as you type, so nothing is uploaded, stored or logged - which matters when the text is a draft, a contract or anything confidential.

Does it count spaces?

Both figures are shown at once: characters including spaces, and characters excluding all whitespace. Use whichever your form or platform specifies.

Do line breaks count as characters?

Yes, in the "with spaces" total, because that is how form validation treats them. They are excluded from the "without spaces" figure.

How are emoji counted?

An emoji is usually stored as two characters, and this counter reflects that - which matches what browser form validation will tell you. Some platforms count differently, so leave a little headroom when a limit is tight.