Step by step
- To turn on the SMS counter, open Settings on your iPhone and scroll down to Messages.
- Scroll to the Text Messaging section and turn on Character Count.
- Open Messages and start typing; the count appears above the Send button once your message wraps onto a second line.
- For Apple Notes or any app without a counter, select and copy your text, then paste it into the box on this page to see characters with and without spaces.
At a glance
| App on iPhone | Built-in counter | How to check characters |
|---|---|---|
| Messages (SMS) | Yes, optional | Settings > Messages > Character Count |
| Apple Notes | No | Copy text and paste into the counter above |
| Apple Pages | Yes | More (three dots) > Word Count > tap to switch |
| Mail or Safari forms | No | Copy text and paste into the counter above |
Where to find it on your device
- iPhone Messages: Settings > Messages > Character Count
- Pages on iPhone: More (three dots) > Word Count
Related questions
Why is the character count not showing on my iPhone?
In Messages, the counter stays hidden while your text fits on a single line. Keep typing until it wraps to a second line, and make sure Character Count is turned on in Settings > Messages.
Can I count characters in Apple Notes on iPhone?
Apple Notes does not have a built-in character or word counter. Copy your note and paste it into the tool on this page to see the exact count.
Does the iPhone character counter work for iMessage?
The built-in counter in Messages is designed for SMS, though it appears while typing longer messages. It does not appear on short one-line texts.
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Open the full character counter →
Updated November 14, 2026.