Search Snippet Pixel Width Checker
Type a title and description. Their width is measured in pixels in the font shown, and the preview shows the text that survives on desktop and on a phone.
Fonts and limits
Widths are measured in Arial. The limits are common working figures, not published rules, and search engines change what they show. Adjust them if you have your own evidence.
Worked examples
Why characters mislead
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM (20 capitals) and iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii (20 narrow letters)
The capitals measure far wider in pixels than the narrow letters.
Both are 20 characters, but only one of them is close to the desktop limit.
About Search Snippet Pixel Width Checker
Search results shorten a title or description that is too wide and end it with three dots. The cut depends on the width of the text, not the number of characters. A title in capitals, or with wide letters such as W and M, runs out of room much sooner than a title of the same length in narrow letters such as i and l. That is why advice like "keep titles under 60 characters" is only a rough guide.
Type a title and description here and each is measured in pixels, using the Arial typeface at the sizes shown. The tool compares each with a width limit for desktop and for phones, and shows you the text that would remain after the cut, plus the part that would be lost. The sizes and limits are boxes you can change, because search engines adjust them over time. Treat the result as a careful guide, since results may also rewrite what they show.
How to use Search Snippet Pixel Width Checker
- Type or paste your page title and your meta description.
- Read the widths in pixels and the preview for desktop and phone.
- If something is cut, look at the line that shows exactly what was lost and decide whether it matters.
- Open Fonts and limits if you want to test different sizes, then shorten your text until it fits.
Common uses
- Fitting a title that has a long brand name at the end
- Checking a description before updating a page
- Comparing the cut-off on desktop and on a phone
- Seeing why a title that looks short is still cut
Frequently asked questions
Why measure in pixels rather than characters?
Because the space available is a width on the screen. Ten wide letters take more room than ten narrow ones, so two titles with the same character count can be cut at different points.
Are the limits official?
No. Search engines do not publish exact limits and change them. The defaults are widely used working figures, and you can change every one of them in the Fonts and limits section.
Which typeface is used?
The measuring uses Arial or the closest sans-serif typeface your device has. Results use their own font, so a result can differ by a few pixels.
Will my description always be shown?
No. Search engines often choose text from the page that matches the search better than your description. A well written description is still worth having, because it is used often.
How close to the limit is too close?
Aim to be a little under it. If your text is within a few pixels of the limit, a small difference in font can tip it over.