How long should a meta description be before it gets cut on mobile?
- Published November 6, 2026
- Linked from 1 answer
- In a cluster of 63
Google sets no length: its snippet documentation says “There’s no limit on how long a meta description can be, but the snippet is truncated in Google Search results as needed, typically to fit the device width.” So the useful rule is about placement, not count: put the point of the description in its first sentence, because a narrow phone screen shows less than a desktop and the cut falls wherever the width runs out.
Why a character count does not settle it
| Factor | Effect on where the cut falls |
|---|---|
| Device width | Phones have less room per line than desktops, though the number of lines shown also varies by layout and query, so a mobile snippet is not always shorter |
| Letter width | Wide letters and capitals use space faster than narrow ones |
| Other elements in the result | Dates, ratings or other details can share the snippet's space |
| Google's choice of text | Google may show a passage from the page in place of your description, so its length is not yours to set |
Figures such as 150 to 160 characters circulate as a guide to what fits on a desktop; they are not Google’s numbers, and the visible portion on mobile can be shorter or longer depending on the layout; a snippet preview tool is a rough guide, not what Google will show. Writing to a count also tempts filler at the end, which is the part least likely to be seen.
Writing a description that survives the cut
- Lead with the answer or the offer. The first clause should tell the searcher what the page gives them.
- Keep one idea per description. A second idea after the cut is invisible on a phone.
- Put any specifics early, such as a price range, a number of steps, or a location, where they will still show.
- Check the live result on a phone, since that is where the snippet is shortest.
Length has no effect on ranking either way; Google does not use the description text for ranking, a point traced to its source in whether the meta description affects ranking or only click-through. Write the first sentence so it can stand alone.
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