How to use the Meta Title Checker
Step 1: Type or paste the title you plan to use in your page's title tag.
Step 2: Read the character count and the length meter. Roughly 30 to 60 characters is the range most guides suggest.
Step 3: Look at the estimated pixel width, because search engines truncate by width rather than by a character count.
Step 4: Check the search result preview and the recommendations underneath, and edit your title until it reads well.
Step 5: Press Copy title when you are happy with it, then paste it into your CMS or HTML.
Features and benefits
Characters and pixel width
See both the character count and an estimate of how wide the title is in a typical search result.
Search result preview
A Google-style preview shows where a long title would be cut off with an ellipsis.
Plain-English recommendations
Get notes on length, shouting in capitals, repeated keywords and extra spaces.
Optional URL preview
Add your page address to see the full result card as it might appear. Nothing is fetched.
Private by design
Your text is analysed in your browser and never stored or sent anywhere.
How long should a meta title be?
A widely used guideline is to keep titles at roughly 50 to 60 characters. The reason is that Google shortens a title when it does not fit the available width, which is about 600 pixels on desktop, rather than at an exact number of characters. Narrow letters such as i and l take less room than wide ones such as W and M, so two titles with the same character count can occupy different widths. That is why this tool shows an estimated pixel width next to the character count.
Neither number is a rule. A slightly longer title is not penalised; it just may be cut off with an ellipsis, so place the most important words first.
What makes a good title
Write a unique title for every page that accurately describes what the page contains. Lead with the main topic, add a short benefit or qualifier if there is room, and put your brand name at the end. Avoid repeating the same keyword several times, typing in all capitals, or promising something the page does not deliver. The title is also what people see in browser tabs, bookmarks and when they share the link, so write it for humans first.
Why the preview is only an estimate
Search engines choose fonts, sizes and truncation rules that vary by device and can change over time. Google may also rewrite a title when it thinks another phrase describes the page better, for example when a title is vague, stuffed with keywords or does not match the content. The preview here uses a common desktop font and width to help you spot obvious problems; it cannot predict exactly what a search engine will show.
Example use cases
Writing new pages
Draft titles for blog posts, product pages and landing pages before they go live.
Auditing old content
Paste existing titles to find ones that are too long, too short or repetitive.
Comparing options
Try several wordings and keep the one that reads best within the space.
Client and team reviews
Share a quick, visual check of how a title might appear in search.
Frequently asked questions
Is the title tag a ranking factor?
Titles help search engines understand what a page is about and strongly influence whether people click your result. However, there is no formula and no guaranteed ranking effect from length or wording.
Why does Google show a different title from mine?
Google may rewrite titles it considers too long, vague, repetitive or not matching the page. Writing a clear, accurate, concise title reduces the chance of that happening.
What if my title is longer than 60 characters?
It is not penalised, but the end may be cut off in search results. Put the key words first so the important part is always visible.
Should I include my brand name?
It is common practice to add the brand at the end of the title if there is room, separated by a dash or a vertical bar.
Is the text I enter stored anywhere?
No. Everything is analysed in your browser and is never uploaded.
Related tools
Useful guides
- How to Write SEO Meta Titles That Get ClickedA practical guide to writing page titles for search results: ideal length, pixel width, keyword placement, brand names, examples and mistakes to avoid.
- How to Write SEO Meta Descriptions That Earn ClicksLearn what a meta description does, how long it should be, how to write one that fits, and the mistakes that make search snippets weak or misleading.
Last updated 7 November 2026.