Text Truncator
Cut text by characters, words, sentences or lines — with custom ellipsis
Removed
220
Input
320 charsTruncated Output
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. It was a fine morning in autumn, with golden leaves dri…
About the Text Truncator
This tool truncates text by characters, words, sentences or lines and appends an ellipsis you choose. Word mode cuts at boundaries rather than mid-word, which is what a meta description or card preview actually needs.
Truncate text to fit a hard limit: a 160-character meta description, a 280-character post, a card preview, or a database column that will silently cut anything longer.
Cutting at a word boundary is the difference between a usable excerpt and an obviously broken one. Truncating "comprehensive" at 155 characters mid-word looks like a bug; stopping at the previous space does not. Sentence mode goes further and keeps whole sentences, which reads best for previews.
The ellipsis is configurable and counts toward the limit, which matters when the limit is enforced strictly — an ellipsis added after truncating to exactly 160 characters produces 163. Character mode remains available for cases where the count is absolute.
How to use the Text Truncator
- Paste your text. Enter the copy you need shortened.
- Choose the unit. Truncate by characters, words, sentences or lines.
- Set the limit and ellipsis. Enter the maximum and the suffix to append.
- Copy the result. Take the truncated text.
Text Truncator features
- Truncate by characters, words, sentences or lines
- Cuts at word boundaries rather than mid-word in word mode
- Custom ellipsis or suffix
- Adjustable limit
- Copy the result
Frequently asked questions
Which mode should I use?
Characters when there is a hard field limit, such as a meta description. Words when the result has to read properly, such as a card preview. Sentences when you want a coherent excerpt. Lines for trimming logs or lists.
Why does cutting mid-word matter?
Because it looks broken. A meta description ending in the middle of a word signals machine truncation, and search engines cut at their own limit anyway — so it is better to end deliberately just inside it.
What limits should I aim for?
Around 155 to 160 characters for a meta description and about 60 for a title tag, though both are measured in pixels rather than characters, so treat them as guides. Card previews vary by platform.
Can I change the ellipsis?
Yes, the suffix is editable — a single character ellipsis, three full stops, a space and a link marker, or nothing at all if the cut should be silent.