SMS Character Limits & Long Texting Explained
Updated Jun 9th, 2026 - 5 min read
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Does Your Business Need to Send Long Text Messages?
Some business messages require more than a standard SMS can hold. This might include terms and conditions, appointment details, delivery instructions, or event information.
Long texting makes this possible, but longer messages can also increase SMS costs. Messages that exceed the standard SMS limit or length of text message are sent as multiple SMS parts, with each part typically billed separately.
To help control costs, many businesses limit messages to one or two SMS parts. Notifyre allows you to monitor message length and set SMS part limits, helping your team keep messaging costs under control.
If your message includes any character outside GSM-7, such as emojis, curly quotes, or accented letters, it automatically switches to Unicode (UCS-2) encoding. The SMS character limit then drops to 70 characters per SMS.
It's also worth noting that copying text from Microsoft Word or Google Docs can introduce special characters, such as curly quotes, which may increase the number of SMS parts required.
| Encoding | Characters per SMS | Supports Emojis |
|---|---|---|
| GSM 7 | 160 | No |
| Unicode (UCS-2) | 70 | Yes |
What is Long Texting?
Long texting refers to sending a text message that exceeds the single-SMS character limit. Instead of blocking the send, the SMS protocol automatically splits it into multiple parts called SMS segments, which are reassembled on the recipient's device. This process is called concatenation.
When a message is split, each GSM-7 segment holds up to 153 characters (not 160), because 7 characters are reserved for the concatenation header. Unicode segments hold up to 67 characters each.
| Message Length (GSM-7) | SMS Parts Used |
|---|---|
| 1 to 160 characters | 1 part |
| 161 to 306 characters | 2 parts |
| 307 to 459 characters | 3 parts |
| 460 to 612 characters | 4 parts |
| 613 to 765 characters | 5 parts |
| 766 to 918 characters | 6 parts |
| 919 to 1,071 characters | 7 parts |
| 1,072 to 1,224 characters | 8 parts |
How Long Can a Text Be?
The SMS length max depends on the platform. With Notifyre, the maximum SMS length using GSM-7 encoding is 8 SMS parts, which equals 1,224 characters. That is enough for most business use cases, including detailed appointment instructions, multi-step delivery notifications, and service updates.
For anything longer than 1,224 characters, MMS messaging may be worth considering. MMS supports up to 1,600 characters and can also include images, GIFs, and other media, making it a suitable option for longer or more engaging messages.
Why SMS Character Count Matters for Business
Cost
Most SMS providers charge per message part, not per full message. A long text message of 500 characters sent to 10,000 contacts equals 4 parts per recipient, which is four times the cost of a 160-character message. Keeping an eye on your SMS character count before sending to large lists has a direct impact on your budget. You can try to reduce character count through text abbreviations.
Encoding Surprises
A single emoji or a curly quote copied from a word processor can trigger Unicode encoding across your entire message. The text message length limit drops from 160 to 70 characters per segment, and what looked like a short, cheap message can become 3 or 4 parts. Reviewing templates for hidden Unicode characters is a practical step every business should take before running a campaign.
Team Consistency
Without message length guidelines, different team members may send messages that vary significantly in length and cost. Setting SMS part limits helps create a more consistent customer experience while keeping messaging spend predictable across the business.
How Notifyre Helps Businesses Manage SMS Length
Notifyre is a secure online SMS and fax platform built for business use. When composing a message, Notifyre shows a character counter and part count so you can see exactly how many segments your message will use before you hit send.
Administrators can also set an account-wide SMS part limit, which flags or restricts any message that exceeds a set length. This is particularly useful for teams running mass text messaging campaigns, using shared templates, or sending automated messages through the SMS API.
Notifyre also supports two-way SMS and virtual SMS numbers for businesses that need a dedicated line for customer conversations. For security, Notifyre operates on ISO 27001 certified infrastructure with AES-256 encryption at rest, multi-factor authentication, and role-based access controls. For healthcare businesses, Notifyre supports HIPAA compliant messaging workflows.
Sending Long Text Messages with Notifyre
SMS character lengths are not just a technical detail. Choosing when to send a long text or a short and sweet message can make all the difference to your budget, and your customer experience. If you need predictable cost per SMS or character limits set for your team, then Notifyre is the best SMS service for your business.
Take Control of Your SMS Costs
Send business SMS with confidence using Notifyre. Track character counts, monitor SMS parts before sending, and set message length limits to help keep costs predictable across your team.
Big Impact, Low Cost with Online SMS
Get unbeatable value with Notifyre’s pay-as-you-go SMS. Send smarter, save more!
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