How long should a YouTube title be?
YouTube lets you use up to 100 characters in a title, but many places show only the start of it, especially on phones and in suggested videos. A long title isn’t wrong; it just means the first few words do most of the work.
Writing titles that survive being cut off
- Put the main topic or keyword in the first few words.
- Keep the hook early: the reason to click should not sit at the end.
- Use capitals for emphasis on one or two words, not the whole title.
- Make the title and thumbnail work together instead of repeating the same words.
What we check
- Length: characters counted the way people see them, so an emoji counts as one. YouTube’s limit is 100 characters.
- Preview cut-offs: approximate points where tighter and wider layouts often shorten titles. They are a guide, not a fixed rule.
- Capital letters: a warning when more than half the letters are capitals, which can read as shouting.
- Repeated punctuation: a tip when marks like “!!!” or “???” appear.
Everything runs in your browser; your title is never sent anywhere. Rules reviewed November 2026.
Common questions
What is the YouTube title character limit?
YouTube titles can be up to 100 characters long, including spaces.
Where do YouTube titles get cut off?
It depends on the device and layout. Phones and suggested-video lists often show only the first part, so put your key words early.
Do emojis count toward the limit?
Yes. This checker counts each emoji as one character, the way it appears on screen.
Should I use capital letters in titles?
One or two capitalised words can add emphasis. A title in all capitals can look like shouting and may put viewers off.