Why this happens
Google measures descriptions by pixel width, not character count — but 150–160 characters is a reliable rule of thumb that fits within the display width for most character sets. When a description exceeds that, Google either:
- Truncates it mid-sentence and adds an ellipsis (
…) - Rewrites it entirely using text it pulls from the page body
Rewrites happen when Google decides the provided description does not represent the page well — a too-long description that gets cut mid-thought is a common trigger.
Run the free Meta Tag Analyzer to see every tag, its length verdict, and exactly what to fix.
The right length
Target 150–160 characters for the <meta name="description"> value.
- Under 150 characters: fine — Google uses the full description
- 150–160 characters: the sweet spot; fits without truncation in most cases
- Over 160 characters: likely truncated or rewritten in search results
Write a complete sentence (or two short ones) that accurately summarises the page. Do not stuff keywords — Google ignores keyword density in the description tag.
How to check
Paste your URL into the Meta Tag Analyzer. It shows your current description, its character count, and whether it falls within the recommended range.
You can also inspect the raw tag in your browser: open DevTools, go to Elements, and
search for meta name="description" in the <head>.
How to fix
- Open the Meta Tag Analyzer and note the current length.
- Trim the description to 150–160 characters. Cut filler words first; keep the clearest summary of the page.
- End on a complete thought — a truncated sentence reads poorly even when Google clips it.
- Make sure each page has a unique description. Duplicate descriptions across pages are also flagged as an issue.
- Re-check after deploying to confirm the updated tag is live.