What is the standard SMS length?

Z-Articles
June 3, 2023

When it comes to texting, there are a lot of factors to consider. However, one question that comes up often is “What is the standard SMS length?” The answer is it depends on various factors.

The standard SMS length in terms of characters for a single message is 160 characters. However, there is more to it than this.

First, it is important to know that this standard applies to plain text messages only. If you send messages containing pictures, emojis, or voice recordings, the character count will increase dramatically.

Second, some mobile carriers have limits on the length of messages that can be sent. Some divide longer messages into multiple 160-character messages. Others have custom limits.

Moreover, Unicode is used for languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and others. The standard SMS length for a Unicode message is 70 characters, which means that only 70 characters are allowed in a single SMS.

It’s also worth noting that some smartphones will automatically convert longer messages into MMS. In this case, you will be charged differently and the message limit will be higher.

In conclusion, the standard SMS length for plain text messages is 160 characters. However, this may vary depending on your mobile carrier, language, and the kind of content you send. Being aware of these factors can help you avoid being charged for multiple texts or being unable to send longer messages.

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