How to check your meta title and description

Your meta title and description are the first things potential visitors see in search results. This guide explains what they are, how long they should be, why pixel width matters, and how to optimise them before publishing.

What is a meta title?

The meta title (or SEO title) is the text that appears in the <title> HTML element of a webpage. It serves two main purposes:

• Search results: It typically appears as the clickable blue headline in search engine results pages.
• Browser tabs: It appears in the browser tab title when the page is open.

The meta title is one of the most important on-page SEO elements. It tells both users and search engines what your page is about, and it influences whether someone clicks your result over a competitor's.

What is a meta description?

The meta description is a short summary of a webpage's content, provided via the <meta name="description"> HTML tag. Search engines may use it as the descriptive text beneath the title in search results.

However, search engines can also choose to generate their own description from your page content, especially if the meta description is missing, too short, or not relevant to the search query. Writing a good meta description gives search engines good raw material, but it does not guarantee that Google will display it exactly as written.

How long should a meta title be?

There is no universal fixed character limit for meta titles. Google typically displays around 50 to 60 characters before truncating with an ellipsis, but the exact cut-off depends on:

• Pixel width: Google uses pixel width, not just character count, to determine truncation.
• The search query: Different queries may cause Google to show different lengths.
• The device: Mobile and desktop may display different amounts of text.

Aim for a title that reads well within the 50 to 60 character range, but remember that Google may display more or less depending on context.

How long should a meta description be?

There is no guaranteed fixed character limit for meta descriptions. Google commonly displays around 150 to 160 characters, but the actual length varies based on:

• The search query
• The device
• The page content
• Whether Google chooses to generate its own description

Aim for a concise, compelling summary of around 150 to 160 characters. Very short descriptions may not provide enough context, while very long ones may be truncated or rewritten.

Why check pixel width?

Character count alone can be misleading because characters have different widths. For example, a capital "W" is much wider than a lowercase "i". A 55-character title made of wide letters may occupy more space than a 60-character title made of narrow letters.

Search engines use pixel width (the rendered width of the text in pixels) to decide when to truncate titles and descriptions. This is why two titles with the same character count may be truncated differently in search results.

This tool estimates pixel width using browser text measurement, giving you a more accurate sense of how much space your title and description occupy than character count alone.

How to optimise your meta title and description

• Make them relevant to the page. Your title and description should accurately reflect what the page is about.
• Include the primary keyword naturally. If your target keyword accurately describes the page, include it in the title and description where it reads naturally.
• Avoid keyword stuffing. Do not repeat keywords unnaturally or force them where they do not fit.
• Make titles descriptive. A clear, descriptive title helps users and search engines understand your page.
• Write useful descriptions. A compelling description can improve click-through rate. Explain what the page offers and why someone should visit.
• Avoid unnecessary repetition. Do not repeat the same information in the title and description.
• Check mobile and desktop appearance. Search results may display differently on mobile and desktop. Use the SERP Preview tool to check both.

You can use the Meta Title & Description Checker to check your title and description for length, pixel width, truncation risk and keyword presence before publishing.