SERP Snippet Preview
See how your page will look in Google's search results and check whether your meta title and description fit within Google's pixel limits — instantly, in your browser, free of charge.
0 / 600 px
0 / 960 px
Google preview
e.g. Learn how the two IBAN check digits are calculated, why they matter, and how to validate any IBAN by hand in a few steps.
Approximate preview. Google may rewrite titles and descriptions and shows results differently depending on the query, device and other factors.
Why pixels matter more than characters
Google does not cut off titles and descriptions at a fixed number of characters — it cuts them off at a fixed width in pixels. Because letters have different widths (a capital "W" is far wider than a lowercase "i"), two titles with the same character count can render at very different widths. A title of narrow letters may fit comfortably while an equally long title of wide letters gets truncated with an ellipsis. That is why this tool measures the rendered pixel width of your title and description in Google's font (Arial) rather than just counting characters. Titles are cut off around 600 pixels; descriptions around 960 pixels on desktop and roughly 680 pixels on mobile.
Optimal length for title and description
As a rule of thumb, keep your meta title under 600 pixels — that is usually about 50 to 60 characters — so it displays in full. Put the most important keywords near the front, in case Google still shortens it. For the meta description, aim to stay under roughly 960 pixels on desktop (about 150 to 160 characters); on mobile the visible space is smaller, around 680 pixels. A description that runs slightly long is not harmful, but everything past the limit is hidden, so front-load the message that should make someone click. Use the progress bars above: green means you have room, amber means you are close to the limit, and red means Google will truncate.
Frequently asked questions
- Why does this tool measure pixels instead of characters?
- Google truncates search snippets by pixel width, not character count. Wide letters like W and M take up much more space than narrow ones like i and l, so a character limit is only a rough guide. Measuring pixels in Google's font gives a far more accurate picture of what will actually be shown.
- What are the pixel limits for title and description?
- Titles are typically cut off at around 600 pixels. Descriptions are cut off at roughly 960 pixels on desktop and about 680 pixels on mobile. These values approximate Google's current behaviour, which can change over time and vary by query.
- How many characters is that in words?
- Very roughly, 600 pixels is about 50 to 60 characters for a title, and 960 pixels is about 150 to 160 characters for a description. The exact number depends entirely on which letters you use, which is why the pixel bar is more reliable than a character count.
- Why does the preview differ between desktop and mobile?
- Google shows less description text on narrow mobile screens, so the pixel budget is smaller there. The desktop and mobile toggle lets you check both. A description that fits on desktop can still be truncated on mobile.
- Will Google always show exactly what I enter here?
- No. Google frequently rewrites titles and generates its own descriptions based on the search query and page content. This tool shows how your provided title and description would look if used as-is, which is the best starting point for optimisation, but the live result can differ.