Quick answer: Google cuts a title when it no longer fits in about 600 pixels, not at a fixed number of characters, so narrow letters fit more than wide ones. This preview measures the real width of your title and shows the description as it may look on desktop (about 155 characters) and mobile (about 120). It is an estimate, and Google may write its own snippet.
Your title and description are your advert in search results. If the title is too long, Google cuts it off with “…”, and the most important words at the end may never be seen. This tool shows you a preview of the result as you write it, so you can fix problems before the page goes live.
Switch between desktop and mobile to see the difference, and use the meters under each box to see how close you are to the limit. It also shows your web address the way Google displays it, with the site name and path.
Why pixels matter more than characters
Google does not cut titles at a fixed number of characters. It cuts them when they no longer fit in a box that is about 600 pixels wide. A title full of narrow letters like “i” and “l” fits more characters than one full of wide letters like “W” and “M”. This tool measures the real width of your title, so the preview is closer to what you will see than a simple character count.
- Title: keep it under about 600 pixels, roughly 50 to 60 characters.
- Description: about 155 characters on desktop and about 120 on mobile before it is trimmed.
- Too short is a wasted chance to explain why someone should click. Use most of the space.
These limits are estimates that change from time to time. Google may also show a different title or description than the ones you wrote, if it decides another piece of text on your page answers the search better.
A worked example
Example. A title of “Free Loan Calculator: Monthly Payment and Total Interest” is 50 characters and fits easily, while a 90-character title is cut off with “…” after about 60. A description of 120 characters shows in full on desktop, but one of 200 characters is trimmed at about 155.
Typical display limits
| Element | Desktop | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Up to about 600 px (roughly 50 to 60 characters) | About the same, sometimes over two lines |
| Description | About 155 characters | About 120 characters |
These limits change from time to time. Treat them as guides for spotting titles and descriptions that are clearly too long or too short.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Counting characters instead of pixels. Sixty wide letters such as W and M can be cut off, while ninety narrow letters may fit.
- Putting the important words at the end. If a title is trimmed, the end disappears, so lead with the main topic.
- Expecting your description to always appear. Google often builds a snippet from the page text when that matches a search better.
Go deeper: read our guide robots.txt and Meta Tags: A Practical SEO Guide.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a title tag be?
Around 50 to 60 characters, or up to about 600 pixels wide, so it displays in full. This tool measures the width and shows a warning bar as you get close.
Why is Google showing a different title than mine?
Google sometimes rewrites titles that are too long, too short, stuffed with keywords, or that do not match the page content. Writing a clear, accurate title that fits the space makes it more likely yours is used.
Is the preview exactly what Google will show?
No, it is an estimate. Google chooses how to display each result, and it changes the design and limits from time to time. The preview is a good guide for spotting titles and descriptions that are clearly too long or too short.
Why is the mobile description shorter?
Mobile screens are narrower, so less text fits in the description area before it is cut. Put the most important words first so they are always seen.
People also search for this as: Google snippet preview, SERP preview tool, title tag length checker, meta description length checker, title and description preview, search result preview.
Sources and further reading
- Google Search Central: Influencing your title links in search results
- Google Search Central: Control your snippets in search results
Formulas on this page are checked by automated tests against independent references. See how we test our tools.