SERP Snippet Preview Tool
A SERP snippet preview shows how your page title, URL and meta description may appear in Google results. This free tool lets you type the three parts or load them from a live URL, draws a desktop and a mobile result, estimates the pixel width of each line and warns when Google is likely to cut the title or description off.
SERP Snippet Preview
On-page SEO
About this tool
Your title and meta description are the advert for your page in search results. Google shows roughly the first 600 pixels of a title and about two lines of description, and anything longer is cut with an ellipsis. Because letters differ in width, a 55 character title full of capital letters can be cut while a 62 character title of narrow letters fits. Pixels matter more than character counts.
Enter a title, a URL and a description to test a draft before it goes live, or enter a page address and the tool reads the real title and meta description from the HTML. The preview is drawn twice, once in the desktop layout and once in the narrower mobile layout, and a table lists the estimated pixel width of each part against the limits we use.
These limits are estimates. Google does not publish a fixed rule, it can rewrite a title or description when it thinks another passage answers the query better, and layouts change from time to time. Treat the preview as a way to catch obvious problems: a title that is cut mid-phrase, a missing description, or a description that is too short to be useful.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a title tag be for Google?
Aim for about 50 to 60 characters, which usually fits within roughly 600 pixels on desktop. The real limit is pixel width, not characters, so wide letters like W and M use more space. Put the main keyword near the start and the brand at the end.
How long should a meta description be?
Between 120 and 155 characters is a safe range for desktop. Mobile shows a similar amount over two lines. Write a complete sentence that promises what the visitor will get on the page. Google may replace it with text from the page when that matches the search better.
Why does Google show a different title than mine?
Google rewrites titles when they are missing, stuffed with keywords, too long, repeated across pages or do not match the page heading. It may use your H1, anchor text or the brand name instead. A clear, specific title that matches the page content is the best defence.
Are the pixel widths exact?
No. We measure with Arial letter widths at the font sizes Google commonly uses, which is close but not identical to the font Google serves. Use the numbers as a guide. If a title is within about 40 pixels of the limit, shorten it a little to be safe.