YouTube Character Counter — Title, Description & Tag Checker
YouTube Character Counter — Complete Guide 2026
Our YouTube character counter helps creators optimize every metadata field for maximum discoverability. YouTube video titles support up to 100 characters, but only the first 70 characters display in most search results and suggested videos before being truncated with an ellipsis.
Video descriptions support up to 5,000 characters, but only the first 157 characters show before "show more" — this preview also appears in search results and is critical for click-through rate.
Tags & Keyword Strategy
YouTube allows up to 500 total characters across all tags, with individual tags limited to 30 characters. Use our character checker to validate each tag fits within the per-tag limit while maximizing your total tag budget.
Tips for YouTube Titles & Descriptions
- Keep titles under 60 characters to avoid truncation on mobile and embedded players
- Place your primary keyword within the first 30 characters of the title
- Include key links, timestamps, and CTAs within the first 157 characters of descriptions
- Use chapters (timestamps in format 00:00) in descriptions to improve watch time and SEO
- Add 3-5 relevant hashtags at the end of descriptions (first 3 appear above title)
- Test different title lengths — data shows 40-60 chars often achieves highest CTR
Other Platform Counters
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the YouTube video title character limit?
YouTube video titles can be up to 100 characters. However, approximately 70 characters are shown in search results, suggested videos, and channel pages before truncation. Our YouTube character counter tracks both limits simultaneously.
What is the YouTube description character limit?
YouTube video descriptions allow up to 5,000 characters. Only the first 157 characters appear as a preview in search results and below the video player. Place your most important keywords, links, and hooks in this visible zone.
How many characters can YouTube tags have?
Each individual YouTube tag can be up to 30 characters. The combined total of all tags for a single video is limited to 500 characters. Use this character count tool to validate both per-tag and total limits.
Does YouTube description length affect SEO?
Yes. Keyword-rich descriptions of at least 200–300 words (roughly 1,000–1,500 characters) generally help with discovery. YouTube uses description text for search indexing and topic classification. Maximize the 5,000-character limit strategically.
What is the YouTube channel description limit?
YouTube channel descriptions (About section) are limited to 1,000 characters. This appears in channel search results and is indexed by Google. Include your niche, upload schedule, and business inquiry email.
How do I add chapters using this character checker?
Chapters require timestamps in 00:00 format within the description. Each chapter title should be concise (under 50 characters recommended). Paste your full description with timestamps into our character checker to ensure everything fits within the 5,000-character limit.
What is the YouTube comment character limit?
YouTube comments support up to 10,000 characters. Pinned comments (often used for links, corrections, or CTAs) follow the same limit. Use the counter above to draft longer pinned comments without exceeding the boundary.