How to use the serp snippet preview tool
- Paste or type your page title. The meter turns amber when it is too short and red when Google is likely to cut it off.
- Write your meta description. Aim to answer the searcher's question in the first sentence, because mobile cuts earlier.
- Enter the page URL so the breadcrumb line looks right, then flip between Desktop and Mobile.
- Copy the finished title and description into your CMS, and re-check them after Google has indexed the page.
Title and description limits in pixels, not characters
Google does not publish a character limit for titles or descriptions. It fits text into a fixed-width box and adds an ellipsis when the text does not fit. A title full of narrow letters such as “i”, “l” and “t” fits more characters than one full of wide letters such as “W” and “M”. That is why this tool measures width instead of counting letters.
As a rule of thumb, titles stay fully visible up to roughly 580 to 600 pixels on desktop, which is usually 50 to 60 characters. Descriptions have room for about 150 to 160 characters on desktop and a little less on phones. Treat these numbers as guides rather than rules: Google changes its search layout from time to time.
How to write a title that earns the click
Put the words that describe the page first, because they survive truncation. Add a differentiator, such as a year, a number, “free” or “no signup”, only if it is true. Keep the brand name at the end where it costs the least space, and give every page its own title so Google can tell your pages apart.
Avoid stuffing several keyword variants into one title. A title like “SEO Tool | Free SEO Tool | Best SEO Tool Online” reads as spam to people and gives Google little reason to keep it. One clear phrase beats three repeated ones.
Writing a meta description that gets used
The meta description is not a ranking factor, but it can change how many people click your result. Google uses it when it describes the page better than text pulled from the page itself, which happens most often for branded and specific searches. For broad searches Google frequently writes its own snippet, so make sure the page has a clear opening paragraph too.
Write one or two sentences that say what the visitor gets, mention the main topic naturally, and finish with a reason to click. Do not copy the title into the description, and do not use the same description on every page.
Desktop vs mobile snippets
Most searches now happen on phones, where the layout differs: the site name and favicon sit above the title, the title can wrap onto two lines, and the description usually shows fewer characters. Check both views, and put the most important words in the first 120 characters of the description so they appear on every device.
What this tool cannot tell you
It cannot know whether Google will rewrite your title. Google may replace a title that is too long, too short, keyword-stuffed or inconsistent with the page heading. It cannot show rich results such as ratings, either. For those, see the schema markup generator, and read Google's own guidance on title links and snippets.
Examples of weak and strong snippets
A weak snippet repeats the brand and the keyword and says nothing new: "Shoes | Best Shoes Online | Buy Shoes Now". A strong one is specific and honest: "Waterproof Hiking Boots for Wide Feet: Sizes 6 to 14". The description for the strong version might read: "Compare 12 waterproof hiking boots in wide fits, with real weight, price and sole details. Free returns within 60 days."
Notice that the strong version names the audience, includes concrete details and promises something the page delivers. Use the preview tool to check that those details are visible before the cut-off.
How often Google rewrites snippets
Google may use a title or description other than the one you wrote. It tends to do this when the title is too long, stuffed with keywords, identical across many pages or does not match the main heading, and when the description does not match the search query. It is normal and not a penalty.
You cannot control it completely, but you can reduce it: make the title and H1 agree, keep titles concise, give every page its own title and description, and put the answer to the likely query in the opening of the page.
A short checklist for every new page
- The title is unique, describes the page and keeps the key words near the front.
- The title and the main heading say the same thing in different words.
- The description is one or two sentences that answer the likely query.
- Neither the title nor the description is cut off in the preview on desktop or mobile.
- The brand name appears once, at the end of the title.
- The URL is short, readable and in lowercase.
Make this check part of publishing, so every page leaves your site with a snippet you have actually looked at.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a title tag be?
Keep it under roughly 580 to 600 pixels, which is about 50 to 60 characters for typical text. Longer titles are not penalised, but the end may be hidden in the results.
How long should a meta description be?
Around 150 to 160 characters on desktop, and slightly less on mobile. Put the important words first, since the cut-off point varies by device and query.
Does the meta description affect rankings?
No. Google has said descriptions are not a ranking factor. They can still improve click-through rate, which matters for traffic.
Why does Google show a different title than mine?
Google rewrites titles it considers too long, vague, repetitive or out of line with the page's main heading. Make the title and the H1 agree and the rewrite rate usually falls.
Is my text sent to a server?
No. Everything runs in your browser and nothing you type is uploaded or stored.