Title tag and meta description preview
A title tag and meta description preview shows how your search snippet may look before you publish. Type a title and description below to see live character counts, an approximate pixel width and a Google-style result; everything runs in your browser.
What this title and meta description preview shows
A title tag and meta description preview shows the words a searcher may see in a result, with a live character count and an approximate display width. The title is the clickable headline. The meta description is the short summary under it. Both are suggestions to the search engine, not instructions it must follow.
The preview below uses a Google-style result layout. It measures the title and description in your browser, shows how many characters each one has, and estimates the pixel width so you can spot text that is likely to be cut off. The estimate is labelled as an approximation because Google and Bing choose the final display.
Preview your title tag and meta description
Type or paste a title and description. The counts and preview update as you type. The site name is optional and only changes the label above the title in the preview.
Your meta description will appear here.
Approximation only. Google and Bing choose the final title link and snippet, and may truncate or rewrite them by display width, device and query.
How long should a title tag be?
There is no fixed title length that guarantees the full text will appear in Google. A practical drafting range is about 50 to 60 characters, but the real constraint is display width. Capital letters and wide letters such as W and M take more space, so a title can be cut before it reaches 60 characters.
Google describes title links as generated automatically from several page signals, including the title element, the visible main heading and prominent text. It may shorten or replace a title that is too long, repetitive or a poor match for the page. Keep the main topic in the first few words so a cut removes less important text.
Use the count above as a drafting guide, then check the approximate width and the preview. For a fuller explanation, read the title tag and meta description length guide.
How long should a meta description be?
A practical meta description range is about 150 to 160 characters, but Google does not enforce a fixed limit. It may shorten a description to fit the result, or use text from the page when that answers the query better. The description is not a direct ranking factor, but a clear one can help a searcher choose your result when it is shown.
Put the page's main benefit or answer near the start. Avoid repeating the title word for word, generic welcomes and unsupported claims. If the description is long, the preview shows where the visible text is likely to stop.
Why Google may truncate or rewrite your snippet
Google fits titles and descriptions into the space available, and it may choose different text when another page signal is more useful. Common causes include:
- Length and width. A long title or description may be shortened to fit the result, especially on a narrow screen.
- Boilerplate. Repeating the same generic phrase or brand-heavy template across many pages makes each title less specific.
- Keyword stuffing. A list of near-duplicate terms reads unnaturally and may not identify the page clearly.
- Mismatch with the page. If the title promises one subject while the H1 and body cover another, Google has other text it may use.
- Mismatch with the query. Google can build a query-specific snippet from page text when it considers that text more useful.
Bing also fits titles and descriptions into its own layouts and may rewrite them. The preview is a useful check for both, but it cannot reproduce every live result.
How to use the preview before you publish
- Write the title with the page's main topic first, then add a short differentiator only if it helps.
- Write a description that summarizes the page and gives one concrete reason to click.
- Paste both into the form above and check the character counts and approximate widths.
- Read the preview on a narrow screen as well as a wide one. Move the most important words earlier if they are clipped.
- Copy the final title and description into your page's head, then confirm the live page serves them.
For a wider page review, use the on-page SEO checker and the on-page SEO checklist. To inspect a live URL's current snippet, use the SERP snippet preview.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a title tag be?
There is no fixed character limit that guarantees a full title in Google. A practical drafting range is about 50 to 60 characters, but Google truncates title links by display width, so wide letters and capitals can be cut sooner. Put the main topic first and treat the count as a guide, not a rule.
How long should a meta description be?
A practical drafting range is about 150 to 160 characters, but Google does not enforce a fixed limit. It may shorten a description to fit the result or replace it with text from the page. Write a clear, accurate summary and put the reason to click near the start.
Why does Google show a different title or description?
Google can generate a title link or snippet from other page signals when it thinks they describe the page or answer the query better. Long, repetitive, generic or mismatched metadata is more likely to be rewritten. A specific title that matches the H1 and page content is the most likely to be kept.
Does this tool send my title or description anywhere?
No. The counts, width estimate, preview and copy button all run in your browser. Nothing is uploaded, stored or sent to a server.
Can I use this preview for Bing?
Yes, as a rough check. Bing also fits titles and descriptions into its own result layouts and may rewrite them. The preview cannot reproduce every Bing layout, device or query-specific choice.
Does the preview show exactly what Google will show?
No. It is an approximation. Google chooses the final title link and snippet, and the display changes with the device, the query and the result layout. Use the preview to catch obvious clipping and weak copy, not as a promise of the exact result.