Title Tag and Meta Description Length: What Google Actually Says
Quick answer
Google sets no fixed character limit for title tags or meta descriptions. It shortens them in search results to fit the width of the screen. As a working guide, keep titles to about 50 to 60 characters and meta descriptions to about 150 to 160 characters, with the most important words first.
Free tool
Meta Tag Generator. Make title, description, canonical and robots meta tags with a live search result preview that measures your title width in pixels..
Google's own guide on snippets says there is no limit on how long a meta description can be, but the snippet is truncated as needed, typically to fit the device width. Its guide on title links says the same about the title element.
Why character counts are only a guide
Google cuts text by width on screen, not by counting characters. Wide letters such as W and M take more room than i and l, so two 60 character titles can end at different points. Phones also show less than desktop screens. That is why tools and SEO plugins use 60 and 155 or 160 as safe guides rather than hard rules.
Google may not use your text at all
- Titles. Google builds the title link from several sources, including your title element, the main heading and anchor text. It may change a title that is too long, stuffed with keywords or does not describe the page.
- Descriptions. Google often writes its own snippet from the page content when that matches the search better. A good meta description raises the chance that yours is shown.
How to write a good title tag
- Describe the page in plain words. Put the main topic near the start.
- Make every title on your site different.
- Add your brand at the end, after a separator such as a vertical bar.
- Skip repeated keywords and long lists of terms. Google calls this keyword stuffing.
How to write a good meta description
- Sum up what the reader gets from the page in one or two sentences.
- Include facts a searcher cares about, such as a price, a time, or who the page is for.
- Write a unique description for each important page. Google advises against using the same description on many pages.
- Do not paste a list of keywords. It reads badly and Google will likely ignore it.
Check your length before you publish
Our meta tag generator shows a live search preview and warns when your title or description is likely to be cut. The character counter has page title and meta description limits built in. If you also want good previews on social apps, use the Open Graph generator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum length of a meta description?
There is no maximum in HTML or in Google's rules. Google simply shortens long descriptions in results. About 150 to 160 characters is a common safe guide.
Does meta description length affect rankings?
No. Google has said it does not use the meta description in ranking. A good description can still affect how many people click your result.
How long should a title tag be for SEO?
About 50 to 60 characters usually shows in full on desktop. Make it descriptive and concise, as Google advises.
Why did Google change my title?
Google creates title links from several sources and may rewrite a title that is too long, repetitive, or does not match the page.
