Meta title and description length: the limits that fit Google
Short answer. Keep a meta title to about 60 characters or 580 pixels, and a meta description to 110 to 155 characters. Google measures titles by pixel width, not by character count, and may rewrite either one, so treat these as safe targets rather than official rules.
Quick reference
| Element | Characters | Pixel width | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meta title | Up to about 60 | Up to about 580 px (Arial, 20 px) | Desktop results cut titles at roughly 600 px. |
| Meta description | 110 to 155 | Up to about 920 px (Arial, 14 px) | Often shorter on mobile, so lead with the key point. |
How long should a meta title be?
Google does not publish a character limit for title tags. In practice, desktop results truncate a title at around 600 pixels wide. At 20 px Arial that fits roughly 55 to 65 characters of ordinary text, so 60 characters and 580 pixels is a safe target. Put the main topic first and the brand last, so a cut-off loses the least important words.
Why pixels matter more than characters
Letters have different widths. Ten capital Ms take 167 px at 20 px Arial, ten capital Ws take 189 px, and ten lowercase i or l characters take only 44 px. A title can therefore be under 60 characters and still be cut off.
| Title | Characters | Width | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wide Wool Weekend Wear: Women's Warm Winter Wraps | WoolCo | 58 | 604 px | Likely truncated, although under 60 characters |
| How to Feed a Sourdough Starter (Step by Step) | Brightloaf | 59 | 533 px | Fits |
| Merino Hoodie for Cold Trail Mornings | Fernway | 47 | 430 px | Fits with room to spare |
| Merino Hoodie for Cold Trail Mornings – Warm, Light, Odor-Free | Fernway | 72 | 663 px | Truncated |
Widths measured with the canvas text measurement in a browser, Arial 20 px.
How long should a meta description be?
Aim for 110 to 155 characters. Google commonly shows about 155 to 160 characters on desktop and fewer on mobile, so the most useful words belong in the first 120 characters. Describe what the page offers, include the main keyword naturally, and end with a short call to action when it fits.
Does Google rewrite meta titles and descriptions?
Often, yes. Google may replace a title or description with text from the page when it thinks that matches the search better. You cannot prevent this, but accurate, specific tags that match the page content are the ones Google is most likely to keep.
Meta tag checklist
- Give every page its own title and description. Duplicates compete with each other.
- Put the main keyword near the start of the title, phrased naturally.
- Keep the brand at the end of the title.
- Describe the page honestly. Do not promise what the page does not deliver.
- Avoid ALL CAPS, emojis and repeated keywords.
- Write in the language of the page.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a meta title be?
Keep a meta title to about 60 characters or 580 pixels. Google cuts titles by pixel width, around 600 pixels on desktop, so a title with wide letters can be truncated before 60 characters. Titleon measures both the characters and the pixels as you edit.
How long should a meta description be?
Aim for 110 to 155 characters. Google commonly shows about 155 to 160 characters on desktop and fewer on mobile, so put the most useful words first. A description under about 110 characters usually wastes space that could earn a click.
Do meta descriptions affect rankings?
Google has said it does not use the meta description as a ranking signal. A clear description can still raise click-through from search results, and the meta title helps Google understand what the page is about. Write both for people first.
More answers are in the Titleon FAQ.