Have you ever typed a text message and wondered, “Will this be one SMS or two?” This is an important question, especially for businesses sending Bulk SMS through Kapsystem. Understanding how character limits work helps you save money and plan better campaigns. Let’s learn How Is Character Limit and SMS Credit Calculated in Bulk SMS.
What is a Character in an SMS?
A character is any letter, number, symbol, or space you type. For example, each of these is one character:
- A
- 1
- Space
- !
- Comma (,)
So, “Hello!” is 6 characters. Even empty spaces count.
Standard SMS Character Limit
The usual SMS limit is:
- 160 characters for English (GSM-7 format)
- 70 characters for regional or Unicode text (like Hindi, Tamil, Bengali)
But here’s the trick, if your message is longer than these limits, it gets split into multiple SMS units, and that costs more credits.
What Happens When You Cross the Limit?
If your message is more than 160 characters in English or 70 characters in Unicode, it will use more SMS credits.
For English (GSM-7):
- 1 SMS = 160 characters
- 2 SMS = 306 characters (not 320!)
- 3 SMS = 459 characters
- 4 SMS = 612 characters
After the first SMS, each part uses 153 characters instead of 160 because some characters are used to link them together.
For Unicode (like Hindi):
- 1 SMS = 70 characters
- 2 SMS = 134 characters
- 3 SMS = 201 characters
- 4 SMS = 268 characters
Just like English, each part after the first uses fewer characters: 67 instead of 70.
What is SMS Credit?
SMS credit means how many SMS parts your message takes. So if your message is 320 characters in English, it will use 3 SMS credits.
This is important when you’re sending to 1,000 or 1 lakh people using Kapsystem’s Bulk SMS Service. More SMS credits = more cost.
Why SMS Credit Calculation Matters for Businesses?
Every extra SMS credit means more cost. If your message is too long, you might pay double or triple. That’s why it’s smart to:
- Keep your message short
- Use simple language
- Test your message on Kapsystem’s SMS Calculator
Bulk SMS Pricing and Credit Chart
| SMS Type | Character Limit | SMS Credits Used | Price (Starting at) |
|---|---|---|---|
| English – 1 SMS | Up to 160 | 1 | ₹0.13 |
| English – 2 SMS | 161-306 | 2 | ₹0.26 |
| Unicode – 1 SMS | Up to 70 | 1 | ₹0.13 |
| Unicode – 2 SMS | 71-134 | 2 | ₹0.26 |
How Kapsystem Helps You Save
Kapsystem is India’s trusted Bulk SMS Service Provider. We help thousands of businesses send smart, cost-effective messages every day. Our platform automatically calculates SMS credits and lets you preview your message before sending. Here’s how we support you:
- Bulk SMS Dashboard with live credit tracker
- Bulk SMS API for developers
- OTP SMS with correct Unicode credit handling
- Promotional SMS service with smart character suggestions
Tools to Calculate SMS Credits Accurately
We offer handy tools to check character count and calculate credits before you hit send:
- Live Character Counter
- SMS Credit Calculator
- Unicode Optimizer for regional languages
Tips to Reduce SMS Credits
- Use short links instead of long URLs
- Don’t repeat words
- Use emojis only when needed
- Use English unless you need regional language
SMS Credit Calculation Examples
Example 1 (English):
Message: “Big Sale! 50% OFF on all items. Visit www.example.com now.”
Character Count: 74
SMS Credits: 1
Example 2 (Unicode):
Message: “बड़ी छूट! आज ही खरीदारी करें।”
Character Count: 24
SMS Credits: 1
Common Mistakes That Waste SMS Credits
Even a few extra characters can double your SMS cost. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
- Using unnecessary punctuation or emojis that switch the message to Unicode mode.
- Adding long URLs instead of using short links.
- Repeating words or greetings in bulk campaign templates.
- Forgetting to preview messages in the Kapsystem dashboard before sending.
🔧 Pro Tip: Always check your message format (GSM or Unicode) before sending. Unicode messages have smaller limits and consume credits faster.
What if You Use Special Characters?
Some symbols like ^, {, }, |, ~, € take more space and reduce your total character count. Try to avoid them unless needed. If you use emojis or non-GSM characters, your message is treated as Unicode and limit drops to 70 per SMS.
Integrate with Our Bulk SMS API
Use our Bulk SMS API to send automated messages, like OTPs and alerts. We help you avoid sending messages that accidentally cost 2 or 3 SMS credits by trimming them or suggesting changes.
SMS Credit Calculator Example
Let’s see how SMS credit calculation actually works with practical examples that show how message length and language affect cost.
| Message Type | Characters | SMS Credits Used | Example Text |
|---|---|---|---|
| English (GSM) | 140 | 1 | Flash Sale! Get 40% OFF today only. Visit kapsystem.com |
| English (GSM) | 99 | 1 | Your OTP is 456123. Do not share this code. Offer valid till 9 PM tonight! |
| Unicode (Hindi) | 80 | 2 | बड़ी बचत! आज ही खरीदारी करें और छूट पाएं। |
✅ Explanation:
- An English SMS (GSM format) allows 160 characters per credit.
- Once you exceed 160, your message splits into multiple parts, each with 153 characters.
- Unicode messages (like Hindi or Tamil) allow only 70 characters per credit, and each additional part has 67 characters.
💡 Pro Tip: Before sending any campaign, check your total character count using Kapsystem’s SMS Credit Calculator to avoid paying for extra credits unintentionally.
Industries Using SMS Credit Optimization
- Hospitals
- Schools
- E-commerce
- Fintech & OTP
All of them rely on smart credit calculation to save money with Kapsystem.
How to Optimize Your Message for Lower Cost
Small tweaks can save big on every campaign. Try these expert tips:
- Keep your core message within 150 characters for single-credit delivery.
- Use abbreviations wisely – e.g., “Offer valid till 9PM” instead of “Offer is valid until 9 PM tonight.”
- Avoid emojis and special symbols unless absolutely needed.
- Use English for broad audiences to maximize the 160-character limit.
- Test messages using Kapsystem’s Bulk SMS API to ensure cost-effective automation.
💰 Result: By optimizing your content, you can cut SMS expenses by up to 30% without reducing impact.
Why Choose Kapsystem?
- We show you the exact SMS credits before sending
- Affordable pricing starting at ₹0.13 per SMS
- Full Unicode and English support
- Thousands of happy clients across India
Now you understand how SMS character limits work and how SMS credits are calculated. Whether you’re sending an alert or a promotion, knowing this saves money and gets your message delivered clearly. Use Kapsystem for smart, affordable, and reliable SMS services with built-in character tools. 💡
FAQs About How Is Character Limit and SMS Credit Calculated in Bulk SMS?
How many characters are allowed in one SMS?
For English, it’s 160. For Unicode (regional languages), it’s 70.
What happens if my SMS is more than 160 characters?
Your message is split into parts and uses more SMS credits. Each extra part uses fewer characters.
Does Kapsystem show how many SMS credits I will use?
Yes! We show it live in the dashboard before sending.
Are spaces and emojis counted as characters?
Yes. Spaces, symbols, and emojis are all counted. Emojis also trigger Unicode mode.
How much does each SMS cost with Kapsystem?
Starting from ₹0.13 per SMS. Discounts available for volume.
