YouTube Title & Description Character Counter
Write your title, description and tags, and see instantly whether they fit YouTube’s limits and how they’ll look in search.
By Shah Rukh, software developer · Last updated:
YouTube character limits
| Field | Limit | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Title | 100 characters | Keep the key words in the first 60–70 characters, because longer titles are often cut off in search and on phones. |
| Description | 5,000 characters | The first one or two lines show under the video and in search. Make them count. |
| Tags | 500 characters in total | Tags matter less than titles, but they help with common misspellings of your topic. |
| Hashtags | No more than 60 | If a video has more than 60 hashtags, YouTube ignores all of them. |
YouTube also doesn’t allow the angle-bracket characters < and > in titles or descriptions. The counter warns you if you use them.
How to write a title that gets clicks
- Lead with the topic people search for, like “Excel pivot tables”, before any clever wording.
- Promise a clear result: “in 10 minutes”, “for beginners”, “step by step”.
- Match the thumbnail. Title and thumbnail should work together, not repeat the same words.
- Don’t mislead. Clickbait that doesn’t deliver increases early exits, which hurts your video.
How to write a useful description
- Start with one or two sentences that summarise the video, including your main keyword naturally.
- Add chapters (timestamps) so viewers can jump around. Check them with our chapters checker.
- Include relevant links, and put two or three hashtags at the end rather than dozens.
ToolsCloset is not affiliated with YouTube or Google. These tools only use public information and run in your browser. We don’t download videos or audio, and we never store the links you paste.
Frequently asked questions
How long can a YouTube title be?
Up to 100 characters, but only about the first 60–70 are usually visible in search results, so put the important words first.
How long can a YouTube description be?
Up to 5,000 characters. Only the first couple of lines show before viewers click “more”.
What is the tag limit on YouTube?
Tags can total up to 500 characters, including the commas between them.
How many hashtags should I use?
Two or three relevant hashtags is plenty. With more than 60, YouTube ignores all of them.
Do emojis count as characters?
Yes. Each emoji counts toward the limit, and some count as more than one character.
YouTube guides
YouTube Thumbnail Size Guide
The right size, format and file limit, plus design tips.
What Is YouTube RPM?
How much YouTube pays per 1,000 views, and how to earn more.
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