---
title: "Character Counter for Posts, Bios and Titles | ToolSugar"
description: "See your character count first, with and without spaces, and how many are left for X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and SMS limits."
canonical: https://toolsugar.com/tools/character-counter
image: https://toolsugar.com/og.png
---

# Character Counter

The Character Counter shows how many characters your text has, with and without spaces, and how many you have left or are over for common limits such as an X post, an Instagram bio, a YouTube title or an SMS. It runs in your browser, so your draft stays on your device.

Runs on your device

## How it works

1. Type or paste your draft into the Your text box.
2. Read Characters and Without spaces at the top of the results.
3. Look at the Common limits list to see how many characters are left for each platform, or how many you are over.
4. Cut or reword until the limit you need shows characters left.

## Key facts

- **Limits shown**: X post 280, Instagram caption 2,200, Instagram bio 150
- **More limits**: LinkedIn post 3,000, YouTube title 100, SMS 160
- **Counting**: Emoji and accented letters count once, as you see them
- **Runs**: In your browser, nothing is uploaded
- **Caveat**: Some platforms count links or emoji differently, so check the app before posting

## Common uses

- Fit a post inside the 280 characters an X post allows.
- Shorten an Instagram bio until it fits 150 characters.
- Check a YouTube title stays within 100 characters before you upload.
- Keep a text message to one 160-character plain SMS.

## Questions

### Do spaces count as characters?

Yes for most platform limits, so the main Characters figure includes spaces and line breaks. The Without spaces figure is shown beside it for forms that ask for it.

### Why does X show a different number from this counter?

X gives links a fixed length and weighs some characters, such as certain emoji and Asian scripts, more heavily. This tool gives a plain character count, which is a close guide but not the platform's own total.

### Does an SMS always allow 160 characters?

Only for plain text in the basic GSM alphabet. One emoji or non-Latin letter switches the message to a shorter limit, so the 160 figure here is the best case.

### Is my draft saved anywhere?

No. The counting happens in your browser tab and nothing is sent to a server or stored.

[Read the Character Counter guide](https://toolsugar.com/blog/how-to-count-words-in-a-text)

## Related tools

- [Word Counter](https://toolsugar.com/tools/word-counter)
- [Instagram Bio Generator](https://toolsugar.com/tools/instagram-bio-generator)
- [YouTube Title Generator](https://toolsugar.com/tools/youtube-title-generator)
- [Hashtag Generator](https://toolsugar.com/tools/hashtag-generator)