How to use the SERP Preview Tool
- Enter your page title, meta description and URL.
- Watch the preview update as you type. Switch between desktop and mobile.
- Edit until both bars are green, then copy the tags into your page.
Why pixels matter more than characters
Google cuts titles by width, not by letter count. A title full of wide letters like W and M gets cut sooner than one full of i and l. This tool measures your text in Google's font, so the cut-off you see is close to the real one.
As a rule of thumb, keep titles under about 600 pixels (around 55–60 characters) and descriptions under about 920 pixels on desktop (around 150–160 characters).
How to write a snippet that gets the click
- Put the main keyword near the start of the title. Google bolds words that match the search.
- Say who it's for and what they get. "Free invoice templates for freelancers" beats "Invoice Templates".
- Use the description to answer the next question: price, speed, proof, or what makes it different.
- Google sometimes rewrites descriptions. A clear one that matches the page is the most likely to be kept.
Not sure your headline works? Score it in the headline analyzer. Want to check a page that's already live? Run the marketing SEO checker.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a title tag be?
Aim for 50–60 characters, or up to about 600 pixels wide. Longer titles still count for ranking, but Google cuts the visible part off with an ellipsis.
How long should a meta description be?
About 120–160 characters on desktop. Mobile shows a bit less, so put the important part in the first 120 characters.
Why does Google show a different title than mine?
Google rewrites titles that are too long, stuffed with keywords, or don't match the page. A concise, accurate title that matches your H1 is usually kept.
Is the preview exactly what Google shows?
It's a close estimate. Google changes its layout often and may add dates, ratings or sitelinks. The pixel limits used here match today's typical desktop and mobile results.