Guide · ~1 min read
Character Counts, Fully Explained
Spaces, bytes, and SMS limits. How to count characters for resumes, bios, and posts.
2026-09-19 · DalgomWorks
With or without spaces
Most application forms and resume sites count characters including spaces. A 1,000-character box usually means 1,000 with spaces.
Some systems use byte limits instead. Always check the fine print before submitting.
How bytes work
One English letter is 1 byte in UTF-8; most other scripts take more. An SMS holds 90 bytes — about 90 English characters.
Long messages (LMS) allow up to 2,000 bytes. If you send bulk notifications, byte math is mandatory.
| Limit | English | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 char | 1 byte | 1 letter |
| SMS 90B | ~90 chars | one message |
| LMS 2,000B | ~2,000 chars | long message |
Hitting the length
Aim for 85–95% of the limit. Completely full looks cut off; half empty looks careless.
Write everything first, then trim connectors and repeats. Checking live with a counter finishes the job in minutes.
- Lead with the conclusion
- One sentence under 50 characters
- Delete repeated phrases
Try it now — Character Counter
Live chars, words & bytes →
Live chars, words & bytes →
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