By Hridoy Ahmed | Last updated: October 2026 | 5 min read
Short answer: A good title tag says what the page is about in about 60 characters. A good meta description gives a reason to click in about 155 characters. Preview both before you publish, because Google cuts text by pixel width and may rewrite what you write.
Why preview your title and description?
Short answer: Google cuts titles and descriptions by pixel width, not by character count. A preview shows what searchers will actually see, so your key words are not cut off.
Real use case: You write a long title for a service page. The preview shows the brand name is cut off on mobile. You shorten it and move the key words forward.
Benefits
- See a desktop and mobile preview before you publish
- Catch titles and descriptions that are too long or too short
- Write clearer snippets that earn more clicks
- Copy ready-made HTML tags
Why use this tool
- Free, no signup.
- Private: everything runs in your browser
- Clear counters with a green, amber and red guide
Google may still rewrite your snippet, so use the preview as a guide.
Write and preview in 4 steps
- Open the tool. Use my free Meta Tag Generator and SERP Preview.
- Enter your title, description and page URL.
- Watch the counters and the preview for desktop and mobile.
- Shorten anything marked amber or red, then copy the HTML tags or paste the text into your SEO plugin.
A simple title formula
- Main topic first, then the benefit, then your brand
- Example: “WordPress Speed Optimization Service | Hridoy Ahmed”
- Keep it specific. Do not stuff keywords.
A simple description formula
- Say what the page offers in one sentence
- Add a reason to click, such as a free audit or a clear guide
- Meta descriptions do not directly improve rankings, but a clear one can improve clicks
Common mistakes
- The same title on many pages
- Titles that are too long and get cut off
- Descriptions that repeat the title
- Making promises the page does not keep
For all on-page checks, use my on-page SEO checklist.
FAQ
Does Google always show my title and description?
No. Google may rewrite them based on the search and the page content. A clear, accurate snippet still gives you the best chance.
Why pixel width and not only characters?
Google cuts text by width, not by character count. Narrow and wide letters change where the text ends.
Are the limits exact?
They are practical estimates. Google can change display limits at any time.
Try the tool: Preview your title and description. Want your key pages rewritten? See my on-page and technical SEO service.
About the author: Hridoy Ahmed is an SEO specialist and WordPress security expert based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He has 8+ years of experience and works with clients worldwide.