SMS Character Counter with Cost & Fragment Calculator
Messaging Services that ensure your messages reach instantly and effectively, no matter where they are located.
SMS & RCS Character Counter
Real-time encoding detection, fragment counting and RCS message type analysis. Supports GSM-7, Unicode and multiple languages.
Frequently asked questions
How many characters can an SMS message contain?
A standard SMS using GSM-7 encoding can contain 160 characters. If your message requires Unicode (UCS-2) encoding — for emoji, accented characters outside the GSM-7 set, or non-Latin scripts — the limit drops to 70 characters per single message.
What is an SMS fragment or segment?
When an SMS exceeds the single-message limit, it is split into multiple fragments. Each fragment in a concatenated GSM-7 message holds 153 characters — 7 characters are used for the User Data Header (UDH). Unicode concatenated messages hold 67 characters per fragment.
What is the difference between GSM-7 and Unicode SMS encoding?
GSM-7 supports the standard Latin alphabet, digits, and a small set of special characters — allowing 160 characters per SMS. Unicode (UCS-2) supports emoji, Arabic, Chinese, and accented Latin — but only 70 characters per single SMS. Sending a single emoji switches the entire message to Unicode.
What is an RCS Basic message vs an RCS Single message?
RCS Basic messages support up to 160 characters and are billed similarly to a standard SMS. RCS Single messages support up to 3,072 characters as one billable message. For messages spanning two or more SMS fragments, switching to RCS Single can deliver significant cost savings.
Which characters count as two characters in GSM-7?
The following extended GSM-7 characters each count as two characters: { } [ ] \ ^ ~ | and the euro sign €. They require an escape sequence, so your effective character count will be higher than the visible count.
Is RCS available in my country?
RCS for Business is available in over 60 countries. Select your destination country above to see whether RCS is available, the estimated network reach percentage, and whether switching from multi-fragment SMS to RCS Single could save you money.
Free SMS Character Counter with Cost & Fragment Calculator
Instantly Check Your SMS Message Length, Encoding, and Cost.
Whether you're sending marketing texts, NHS appointment reminders, or 2FA codes, it's crucial to know how long your SMS is — and how much it will cost.
The QuickSMS Character Counter helps you:
Count characters in real time
Detect encoding type (GSM 7-bit or Unicode)
Calculate how many SMS fragments will be sent
Estimate total cost (UK and International)
Supports emoji, multilingual input, and non-standard characters
Why Fragments Matter in SMS Messaging
Most people think 1 SMS = 1 message. But in reality, longer messages are broken into fragments:
GSM 7-bit messages are split after 160 characters (153 per part if concatenated)
Unicode messages (emojis, non-English text) are split after 70 characters (67 per part)
This can double or triple your costs.
Supported Features
Real-time SMS length counter
Encoding detection (GSM 7-bit vs Unicode)
Fragment count & cost estimator
Multilingual interface (EN, ES, FR, DE, AR)
Emoji & right-to-left language support
Dynamic cost rates: 4p UK / 8.5p international
Built with compliance and security in mind
Who Uses This Tool?
Thousands of professionals use this tool daily across:
NHS and healthcare messaging
Government alert systems
Ecommerce order confirmations
CRM and marketing automation
Online gaming and 2FA notifications
International business messaging
Built on QuickSMS Technology
As the leading SMS platform for SMEs, government, and healthcare, QuickSMS offers:
ISO 27001, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 certified platform
Cyber Essentials Plus & NHS DSPT compliant
UK-based routing, ultra-low latency
API integrations for Salesforce, Accurx, SystmOne, Microsoft 365, and more
Offices in London and Dubai