Meta description pixel and length checker
Measure a description in pixels and characters against Google's desktop (920px) and mobile (680px) limits, with a per-device line estimate and a live truncation preview.
Measured in your browser. Nothing you type is uploaded.
A meta description fits Google's 2026 desktop snippet when it renders under about 920 pixels in Arial, roughly two lines, and the mobile equivalent is near 680 pixels. That is around 150 to 160 characters on desktop, but the pixel reading is what decides the cut. The engine here is shared with the SERP simulator, so the numbers match across tools.
Google frequently rewrites descriptions from page content that better answers the query, so treat a fitted description as your best offer, not a promise. If a date is shown before your snippet, it takes pixels away from the visible text, which is what the date prefix toggle models. For the measured limits and why they move, read how long a meta description should be in 2026.
Common questions
How long should a meta description be in 2026?
Roughly 920 pixels on desktop and 680 pixels on mobile, which is about 150 to 160 characters on desktop and near 120 on mobile. The checker measures the real pixel width and shows the truncation point for each device.
Why does Google rewrite my description?
Google often generates the snippet from page content that better matches the query rather than using your written meta description. A well-fitted description makes it more likely yours is kept, but it is never guaranteed.
What does the date prefix option do?
Google prepends a date on many results, such as a publish date, and that date eats into the pixel budget. Turn the date prefix on to see how much shorter your visible description becomes when a date is shown.