Tool
Broadcast Studio
Know exactly what a text will cost in segments before you send it. GSM-7 holds 160 characters (153 per part when joined). Unicode holds 70 (67 per part). One emoji or curly quote is enough to switch.
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GSM-7encoding
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0left in segment
Merge tags {first_name}, {creator} and {link} are counted with the preview values. Real names may be longer.
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Segment breakdown
See exactly where your text is cut. Extended GSM-7 characters count as 2 units.
| Character | Units in GSM-7 |
|---|---|
| ^ { } \ [ ] ~ | | 2 |
| € (euro sign) | 2 |
| Letters, digits, space, . , ! ? @ # $ % & ( ) + - / : ; | 1 |
| Emoji, curly quotes, long dashes | Switch to Unicode (1 unit of 70 each) |
Encoding guide
Every SMS is billed per segment. The encoding decides how many characters fit in one.
| Encoding | One segment | Joined, per segment | Used when |
|---|---|---|---|
| GSM-7 | 160 | 153 | Plain letters, digits and common punctuation |
| Unicode (UCS-2) | 70 | 67 | Any emoji, curly quote or character outside GSM-7 |
Common traps
- Curly quotes and long dashes from word processors switch the whole text to Unicode. Use Fix smart quotes.
- The characters ^ { } \ [ ] ~ | and the euro sign count as two in GSM-7.
- One emoji changes the encoding for the entire message, not only that character.
- Merge tags grow when filled in. Test with a long real name.
Carrier handling can differ. Treat the counter as a close estimate.