Text truncator
This tool cuts text down to a set number of characters or words and adds an ellipsis if you want one. Marketers and developers use it to fit meta descriptions, social posts, titles and product names into a length limit.
- Runs in your browser
- Free, no account needed
- Copy or download the result
Result
Example
Compare savings accounts, check current rates and work out how much interest you could earn each month with our free savings calculator and step-by-step guide. Short titles stay as they are.
Compare savings accounts, check current rates and work out how much interest you could earn each month with our free… Short titles stay as they are. Line 1: 159 characters, now 117 Line 2: 30 characters, unchanged
How to use the text truncator
- Paste your text into the box, one item per line for batch mode.
- Choose Characters or Words in Limit by and enter a Maximum length.
- Pick an Ending, and choose whether to avoid cutting words and to treat each line separately.
- Press Run, then Copy result.
How it works
Characters are counted as visible characters, so an emoji or an accented letter counts as one. In character mode the ending counts toward the limit.
With Do not cut words in half on, the cut moves back to the last space. A single word longer than the limit is still cut.
Trailing spaces, commas, colons, semicolons and hyphens are removed before the ending is added. Text that already fits is left unchanged and gets no ending.
After the result, each line shows its original length and its new length.
Everything runs in your browser. Your input is not uploaded or stored.
Questions and answers
How long should a meta description be?
Search engines cut descriptions by pixel width, which is often around 150 to 160 characters. Set Maximum length to your target and check the result.
Does the ellipsis count toward the limit?
In character mode, yes, so the result never goes over your number. In word mode the limit is the number of words kept.
Can I shorten many lines at once?
Yes. Leave Treat each line separately on and each line is shortened on its own.