How to Use This Tool
Enter Your Text
Type directly into the input area, paste content with Ctrl+V, or upload a .txt file by clicking Upload or dragging the file onto the input.
Choose Mode and Length
Select Characters or Words mode and set the maximum length. Optionally customize the ellipsis string that gets appended when text is cut.
See Results Instantly
The truncated output updates live as you type or change settings. If the text is already within the limit, it passes through unchanged.
Copy or Download
Click Copy to put the truncated text on your clipboard, Download to save it as a .txt file, or Clear All to start over.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this tool really free?
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Yes, completely free with no limits, no sign-up, and no watermarks. Everything runs in your browser.
Is my text uploaded to a server?
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No. Your text never leaves your device. All truncation happens directly in your browser.
What is the difference between character and word mode?
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Character mode cuts at an exact character count. Word mode cuts at a word boundary so no words are split in the middle.
What is the ellipsis field for?
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The ellipsis is the text appended after the cut point. The default is three dots. You can change it to anything or leave it empty.
Does the ellipsis count toward the limit?
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No. The ellipsis is added after the text is cut at the limit. If you need the total output to be exact, subtract the ellipsis length from your max.
Does it handle emoji correctly?
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Yes. Emoji and accented characters are each counted as a single character, not as multiple units.
What happens if text is shorter than the limit?
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It passes through unchanged with no ellipsis added.
Can I upload a file instead of pasting?
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Yes. Click Upload to pick a .txt file, or drag and drop a text file directly onto the input area.
Will my text be saved if I refresh?
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Yes. Your input is saved on your device automatically. Click Clear All to wipe everything.
What is the minimum limit?
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The minimum is 1 character or 1 word, depending on the mode you select.
What Is Text Truncator?
Text Truncator is a free tool that shortens text to a specified length by cutting at a character or word boundary and appending a customizable ellipsis. It is useful for preparing previews, summaries, meta descriptions, social media posts, or any content that needs to fit within a strict length limit. Everything runs in your browser - no text is sent to any server.
The output updates live as you type. Emoji and accented characters are counted correctly as single characters. Text that is already within the limit passes through unchanged.
Features Explained
Character Mode
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Cuts text at an exact character count. Ideal for strict length limits like meta descriptions, database fields, and platform character caps.
Word Mode
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Cuts text at a word boundary so no words are split in the middle. Better for readable previews, article excerpts, and teaser text.
Custom Ellipsis
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Set any string as the ellipsis. The default is three dots. You can use a single-character ellipsis to save space, add a 'read more' label, or leave it empty for a clean cut.
Emoji-Safe Character Counting
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Emoji and accented characters are each counted as a single character, not as multiple units. Your truncation limits will be accurate regardless of the characters used.
Pass-Through for Short Text
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If the text is already within the limit, it passes through unchanged with no ellipsis added.
Live Real-Time Output
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The truncated output updates instantly as you type or change the mode, limit, or ellipsis. No button press needed.
File Upload and Drag-Drop
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Click Upload to pick a .txt file, or drag and drop a text file directly onto the input area.
Copy to Clipboard
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Click Copy to put the truncated output on your clipboard, ready to paste anywhere.
Download as Text File
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Click Download to save the truncated text as a .txt file named truncated-text.txt.
100% Browser-Based Processing
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All truncation happens directly in your browser. Your text is never uploaded to any server.
Who Is This Tool For?
SEO Specialists
Truncate meta titles to 60 characters and meta descriptions to 155 characters for search engine display.
Developers
Prepare text previews for cards, tooltips, notifications, or any component with fixed-width constraints.
Social Media Managers
Shorten post previews, bios, and captions to fit platform character limits.
Content Writers
Create article excerpts, teaser text, and email subject lines that fit recommended lengths.
Marketers
Truncate ad copy, headlines, and call-to-action text for advertising platform requirements.
Data Analysts
Shorten long text fields for reports, dashboards, or spreadsheet columns.
Bloggers
Create post excerpts and preview text for blog index pages and RSS feeds.
Email Marketers
Truncate subject lines and preview text for optimal display in email clients.
Technical Writers
Shorten documentation descriptions for table of contents and navigation menus.
Editors
Create article summaries and teaser text from longer manuscripts.
Journalists
Write headlines and deck text that fit within column width and character limits.
Students
Shorten essay abstracts and thesis summaries to meet word count requirements.
Teachers
Truncate question text and descriptions for test forms with character limits.
Designers
Shorten text to preview how content fits in fixed-height UI layouts.
Project Managers
Truncate task descriptions and status updates for dashboard display.
Customer Support
Shorten template responses to fit character limits in chat and ticketing systems.
HR Professionals
Truncate job descriptions and policy summaries for listing platforms.
Lawyers
Shorten case summaries and brief descriptions for database fields.
Translators
Truncate translated text to match character limits in the target format.
Researchers
Shorten paper abstracts and descriptions for submission systems with character caps.
Freelancers
Truncate portfolio descriptions and project summaries for listing platforms.
Accountants
Shorten transaction descriptions for report columns with character limits.
Event Planners
Truncate event descriptions for listing platforms and calendar entries.
Anyone
Shorten any text to a specific character or word count - no sign-up needed.
Common Truncation Limits
| Platform / Use | Limit | Mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meta Title (SEO) | 60 | Chars | Search engines truncate titles beyond about 60 characters |
| Meta Description | 155 | Chars | Recommended length for search result snippets |
| Twitter/X Post | 280 | Chars | Maximum post length including spaces and punctuation |
| Instagram Bio | 150 | Chars | Maximum bio length on Instagram profiles |
| Email Subject Line | 50 | Chars | Recommended length for mobile email client display |
| Article Excerpt | 25-50 | Words | Typical blog post preview or teaser length |
Tips for Best Results
Use word mode for readable previews
Word mode keeps whole words intact, producing cleaner results for article excerpts and content previews.
Account for the ellipsis length
The ellipsis is added after the cut. If you need the total output to be exact, subtract the ellipsis length from your max.
Try a single-character ellipsis
Replace three dots with the single-character ellipsis symbol to save 2 characters when every character counts.
Leave ellipsis empty for clean cuts
Set the ellipsis to empty if you want the text to end at the limit with no indicator that it was truncated.
Use for meta tag preparation
Set max to 60 for titles and 155 for descriptions to quickly prepare search-friendly meta tags from longer content.
Emoji count correctly
Emoji and accented characters are each counted as one character, so your limits will be accurate.
Upload large files
For long documents, use Upload or drag-drop a .txt file instead of pasting manually.
Short text passes through
If your text is already within the limit, it appears unchanged in the output with no ellipsis added.
Download for records
Click Download to save the truncated text as a .txt file you can share or archive.
Privacy is built in
Your text is processed entirely on your device. Click Clear All to wipe everything.
Privacy & Security
This tool runs 100% in your browser. Your files stay entirely on your own device. Nothing is uploaded, nothing is shared, and no server, advertiser, or third party has access to your files.
If a tool saves your work on your own device, you can remove it at any time using the Clear All button. Some tools rely on an external service to return their result; in those cases, only the minimum data required for the request is sent, and never your files or content. Any ads shown on this page run in an isolated frame and cannot read, touch, or transmit anything you upload, paste, type, or download here. Advertisers may see standard visit information like your IP address and which page you're on, as described in our Privacy Policy, but your data itself stays fully under your control.
