Social media
YouTube description character limit
A YouTube video description can be up to 5,000 characters.
Visible length: Only the first two or three lines, roughly 100 to 150 characters, show above the "more" link.
YouTube description character counter
Paste your text to check it against the 5,000 character limit. It runs in your browser, so nothing is uploaded.
Good to know
YouTube description facts
- Timestamps in the description, starting at 0:00, create chapters in the video player.
- Links in the description are clickable, but the first lines are what most viewers see.
Tips
Writing a better YouTube description
- Summarize the video and include your main keyword in the first 150 characters.
- Use the space below the fold for chapters, links and credits.
FAQ
YouTube description: common questions
What is the YouTube description character limit?+
A YouTube video description can be up to 5,000 characters.
Do spaces and emojis count toward the YouTube description limit?+
Yes. Spaces, punctuation, line breaks and emojis all count. The counter on this page counts each emoji as one character.
What happens if a YouTube description is over 5,000 characters?+
YouTube will not accept more than 5,000 characters, so the extra text is blocked or cut off. Check the length before you paste it in.
How much of a YouTube description is visible?+
Only the first two or three lines, roughly 100 to 150 characters, show above the "more" link.
Limits last checked October 2026. Platforms change them from time to time, so check the YouTube editor if a number looks off.
Other character limits
Counting words instead? Use the Word and Character Counter or see how many pages any word count fills.