---
title: Length of unicode SMS
slug: messaging-apis/length-of-unicode-sms
docTags: 
createdAt: 2025-10-03T10:05:57.807Z
---

A Unicode SMS refers to SMS messages sent and received containing characters not found in the GSM-7 character set. An SMS allows up to 160 characters

Unlike English SMSes, the length of regional languages is calculated based on the space the text occupies. This could vary from 2 to 3 characters. The easiest way to figure this out is to paste the SMS in the Exotel SMS dialogue box and you can see the number of characters that will be displayed.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SK2urIgCC2ml99YyqWOSl/UkIh6hb3kvAeY95mi3zE4-20260729-063437.png?1630668806)

**If the message contains even a single Unicode character, the entire message will have to be converted into Unicode. The maximum length of a Unicode SMS is 70 characters per SMS.**

For example, this SMS is 90 characters long and will be charged as 2 SMS. 

Note: Unicode SMSes take up more space compared to traditional SMSes

All Regional languages are sent with Unicode characters. Also, special characters like " - the double quote are included in the Unicode text

## Watch a short video

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