# SMS Length: GSM-7, Unicode and Segments | ZafeConnect

> Why one SMS can count as two or three: the 160 and 70 character limits, how emoji and curly quotes change encoding, and how to keep messages cheap.

Canonical URL: https://www.zafeconnect.com/blog/sms-length-gsm-7-unicode-segments
Language: en
Last modified: 2026-11-09

## Why one SMS can count as two: GSM-7, Unicode and segments

URL: https://www.zafeconnect.com/blog/sms-length-gsm-7-unicode-segments

Published: 2026-11-09

A single text message holds 160 characters, or 70 if it contains a character outside the standard alphabet. Longer messages are split into segments, and each segment is billed.

Key takeaways:
- A message in the standard GSM-7 alphabet holds 160 characters; one that needs Unicode holds 70.
- Longer messages are split into segments of 153 (GSM-7) or 67 (Unicode) characters, because each segment carries a small header.
- One emoji or one curly quote can switch the whole message to Unicode.
- Check the segment count before a campaign: it drives cost as well as delivery.

### Two encodings, two limits
Most text uses the GSM-7 alphabet, which covers the basic Latin letters, digits, common punctuation and several accented letters. In GSM-7 one message holds 160 characters.

If the text contains even one character outside that alphabet, the whole message is sent as Unicode (UCS-2), and one message holds only 70 characters.

### What breaks GSM-7
A few characters, such as the euro sign, square brackets and the curly braces, are in GSM-7 but count as two characters each.

The Danish letters æ, ø and å are part of GSM-7, so ordinary Danish text normally stays in the cheaper encoding.
- Emoji and most symbols
- Curly quotes, long dashes and other characters pasted from word processors
- Some accented letters (many are included, but not all)
- Non-Latin scripts such as Greek, Cyrillic or Arabic

### Segments: how long messages are split
A longer message is sent as several segments that the phone joins together again. Each segment needs a small header, so the usable length drops to 153 characters per segment in GSM-7 and 67 in Unicode.

A 170-character message in GSM-7 is therefore two segments. A 75-character message with an emoji is also two segments.

### How to keep messages short and cheap

- Write for one segment: 160 characters in GSM-7
- Replace curly quotes and long dashes with plain ones before sending
- Use emoji only where they add something, and expect a shorter limit
- Put links last and keep them short
- Let your system count segments before it sends, and show the count in your campaign tool

### How ZafeConnect fits
ZafeConnect charges only for delivered messages, with no setup, system or operating fees and no subscription, and the price list shows the list price per message, excluding VAT. A message that spans several segments is generally billed per segment, so check how your agreement counts them.

FAQ:
Q: How many characters fit in one SMS?
A: 160 in the standard GSM-7 alphabet and 70 if the text needs Unicode. Longer texts are split into segments of 153 or 67 characters.

Q: Do emoji cost more?
A: An emoji switches the message to Unicode, which shortens each segment to 70 characters, so a message can need more segments and cost more.

Q: Can I send more than 160 characters?
A: Yes. The message is split into segments and reassembled on the phone, but each segment is billed.