SMS Pricing FAQ
Why Are My Text Message Costs So High?
You send what feels like the perfect text message for your campaign—but when you get the bill, it's way more than you expected. Why? You’ve been charged for multiple message segments—not just one message.
Let’s break this down in simple terms.
What’s a Segment?
A segment is a chunk of a text message. In the old Nokia days, you could send up to 160 characters in one message. If you went over, your message would split into multiple parts (segments), and you'd be charged for each one.
That system still exists today. Behind the scenes, text messages are sent in pieces—each 140 bytes in size. Most standard characters (letters, numbers, etc.) use a type of encoding called GSM-7, which lets you fit 160 characters into one segment.
Why You Might Get Charged for More Segments Than Expected
Even if your message is short, there are a few things that can bump up the segment count:
- Using emojis or fancy characters
Emojis and certain special letters (like á, í, ü) use a different encoding called UCS-2, which can only fit 70 characters per segment. Use more than that? You’ll pay for multiple segments.
- Multi-part messages need headers
If your message gets split into parts, each piece needs a little bit of extra info (called a header) to help phones put it back together. That takes up space, meaning you get even fewer characters per segment (67 for UCS-2, 153 for GSM-7).
- Hidden characters from copy-pasting
If you write your message in Word or copy-paste from a website, you might include invisible or “smart” characters—like curly quotes or special spaces—that force Twilio to use UCS-2. That leads to more segments than you’d expect.
How Can You Avoid Extra Charges?
- Stick to simple characters (avoid emojis, accented letters, curly quotes, etc.)
- Don’t copy-paste from word processors without checking formatting
- Use tools like this message segment calculator to see how many segments your message will use
In Summary
- Text messages are charged by segments, not just the message itself.
- Simple characters = 160 per segment. Emojis or fancy characters = only 70 per segment.
- Extra info (headers) and hidden characters can eat into your limit fast.
- Use tools to preview your messages and control your costs.
Kindly refer to our ChatDaddy Billing information to understand the SMS charges under your Manage Plan
