--- title: Twilio SMS Segments – Quick Guide description: Learn how Twilio SMS segments work, including character limits, Unicode messages, and best practices to avoid paying for multiple SMS segments. Includes tools and cost-saving tips. --- [Skip to content](https://appfueled.com/help/twilio-sms-segments-quick-guide#main-content) [More support](https://appfueled.com/help/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en-us) ![AppFueled](https://appfueled.com/hs-fs/hubfs/appfueled-logo.png?width=250&height=100&name=appfueled-logo.png) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [More support](https://appfueled.com/help/kb-tickets/new) - [Submit Ticket](https://appfueled.com/support) [Submit Ticket](https://appfueled.com/support?hsLang=en-us) How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Help Center](https://appfueled.com/help?hsLang=en-us) 2. [Templates/Automated Texts & Emails](https://appfueled.com/help/templates-automated-texts-emails?hsLang=en-us) 3. [Custom Blast](https://appfueled.com/help/templates-automated-texts-emails?hsLang=en-us#custom-blast) # Twilio SMS Segments – Quick Guide ## Understanding SMS segments is important because Twilio charges per segment, not per message. Even though recipients see a single text message, you may be billed for multiple segments depending on message length and characters used.  #### This guide explains how SMS segments work and how to avoid unnecessary messaging costs. ### ❓ Why This Matters If a text message exceeds the character limit for a single segment, Twilio automatically splits it into multiple segments—**each billed separately**. Keeping messages concise helps control costs, especially for high-volume campaigns. --- ### 📏 SMS Character & Segment Limits #### Standard (GSM) Text Messages - **160 characters** = 1 segment - Messages longer than 160 characters split into: - **153 characters per segment** #### Messages With Emojis or Special Characters (Unicode) - **70 characters** = 1 segment - Messages longer than 70 characters split into: - **67 characters per segment** ⚠️ Emojis, smart quotes, and special symbols trigger Unicode messaging—even if only one character is used. --- ### 💡 Best Practices to Avoid Extra Segments - Keep messages **under 160 characters** - Avoid emojis and special characters when possible - Use **straight quotes (" ")**, not smart/curly quotes (“ ”) - Keep formatting simple (no symbols or accented characters) - [Test templates before sending](https://twiliodeved.github.io/message-segment-calculator/) 📌 **Important:** Recipients still see **one message**, but you are billed **per segment sent**. --- ### 🧰 Tool Assistance: Segment Calculator Before sending a message, paste your text into Twilio’s segment calculator to see how many segments it will use: 👉 **Twilio SMS Segment Calculator** [https://twiliodeved.github.io/message-segment-calculator/](https://twiliodeved.github.io/message-segment-calculator/) This tool shows: - Character count - Encoding type (GSM vs Unicode) - Total segments billed --- ### 📚 Additional Resources - **Twilio Knowledge Base:** [https://www.twilio.com/docs/glossary/what-sms-character-limit](https://www.twilio.com/docs/glossary/what-sms-character-limit) - [Staff](https://appfueled.com/help/staff?hsLang=en-us) - [Reports](https://appfueled.com/help/reports?hsLang=en-us#main-content) - [Templates/ Automated Texts](https://appfueled.com/help/reports?hsLang=en-us#templates-automated-texts) - [Call Center](https://appfueled.com/help/call-center?hsLang=en-us#main-content) - [Admin](https://appfueled.com/help/call-center?hsLang=en-us#admin) - [Call Center Agent Training](https://appfueled.com/help/call-center?hsLang=en-us#call-center-agent-training) - [Phone Number](https://appfueled.com/help/call-center?hsLang=en-us#phone-number) - [Calls Made by Staff/ Service Advisors](https://appfueled.com/help/call-center?hsLang=en-us#calls-made-by-staff-service-advisors) - [Booking Tool](https://appfueled.com/help/booking-tool?hsLang=en-us#main-content) - [Scheduling](https://appfueled.com/help/booking-tool?hsLang=en-us#scheduling) - [Billing](https://appfueled.com/help/billing?hsLang=en-us) - [Rebates](https://appfueled.com/help/rebates?hsLang=en-us) - [Reviews](https://appfueled.com/help/reviews?hsLang=en-us) - [Canned Notes](https://appfueled.com/help/canned-notes?hsLang=en-us) - [Compliance and Legal](https://appfueled.com/help/compliance-and-legal?hsLang=en-us) - [Templates/Automated Texts & Emails](https://appfueled.com/help/templates-automated-texts-emails?hsLang=en-us#main-content) - [Slow Day](https://appfueled.com/help/templates-automated-texts-emails?hsLang=en-us#slow-day) - [Custom Blast](https://appfueled.com/help/templates-automated-texts-emails?hsLang=en-us#custom-blast) - [Recommended Customer Journey](https://appfueled.com/help/templates-automated-texts-emails?hsLang=en-us#recommended-customer-journey) - [Additional CRM Texts/Templates](https://appfueled.com/help/templates-automated-texts-emails?hsLang=en-us#additional-crm-texts-templates) - [SMS Integration](https://appfueled.com/help/sms-integration?hsLang=en-us) - [Merge Tags](https://appfueled.com/help/merge-tags?hsLang=en-us) - [Customer Profile](https://appfueled.com/help/customer-profile?hsLang=en-us) - [Membership](https://appfueled.com/help/membership?hsLang=en-us) - [Referral Codes](https://appfueled.com/help/referral-codes?hsLang=en-us) - [SPAM](https://appfueled.com/help/spam?hsLang=en-us) - [Sidekick Ninja](https://appfueled.com/help/sidekick-ninja?hsLang=en-us) - [Coupons](https://appfueled.com/help/coupons?hsLang=en-us) - [Apple Developer Account](https://appfueled.com/help/apple-developer-account?hsLang=en-us) - [User Types](https://appfueled.com/help/user-types?hsLang=en-us) - [Star Rewards](https://appfueled.com/help/star-rewards?hsLang=en-us) - [App Design](https://appfueled.com/help/app-design?hsLang=en-us) [![AppFueled](https://appfueled.com/hs-fs/hubfs/appfueled-logo.png?width=250&height=100&name=appfueled-logo.png "AppFueled")](https://appfueled.com/?hsLang=en-us) #1 app builder platform for auto repair shops since 2015 **Unlike any other CRM, 🚀 launch your first app like a pro!** [mailto:get@appfueled.com](mailto:get@appfueled.com) Copyright © 2025 AppFueled™ | All rights reserved.