How long can a YouTube title be before it's cut off?

It depends on the device, but generally around 50-60 characters (or roughly 580 pixels). Titles longer than this will show '...' at the end.

Why do character counts not work for YouTube titles?

Because 'M' and 'W' are wider than 'i' and 'l'. YouTube limits based on pixel width, not character count. A 50-character title with many wide letters might get cut off, while a 60-character title with narrow letters fits.

Home > Creator Tools > Title Truncation Checker

YouTube Title Truncation Checker

See exactly where YouTube will cut off your title. Don't let "..." kill your click-through rate.

Video Title

Characters

0px

Pixel Width

Truncation Risk

Thumbnail

Your Title Appears Here

Channel Name • 1.2M views • 2 days ago

This is the description snippet...

Why Character Counts Are a Lie

Most SEO tools tell you to keep your title under 60 characters. That is lazy advice. YouTube renders text in a proportional font (Roboto). This means a capital "W" is almost three times wider than a lowercase "l".

You could have a 70-character title that fits perfectly, or a 50-character title that gets cut off. This tool measures the exact pixel width of your text to give you a true prediction.

The "Cliffhanger" Strategy

Sometimes, truncation is good. If you force the text to cut off at a pivotal moment, it creates curiosity gap.

Example: "I Investigated the World's Most Dangerous..."

The viewer has to click to find out what. Use this tool to ensure the cut-off happens exactly where you want it to.

Common Truncation Limits

Desktop Search: ~550px (approx 60 chars) on one line.
Mobile Home: ~2 lines. Varies by device width, but extremely strict.
Google Search Results: ~600px. Anything longer gets a "..." which creates ambiguity and lowers CTR.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does capitalization affect truncation?

Yes, significantly. A title in ALL CAPS takes up about 30-40% more horizontal space than Title Case. Use caps sparingly for emphasis, not for the whole title.

How do I fix a truncated title?

Front-load your keywords. Instead of "My Honest Review and Thoughts on the iPhone 15", try "iPhone 15 Review: Honest Thoughts". It’s punchier and safer.