Google SERP preview
Preview how your title and meta description will look in Google's mobile and desktop search results.
Google truncates desktop titles around 580px (≈ 60 chars depending on the letters). Pixel-width counter above is the real signal.
Desktop ~155 chars · Mobile ~120 chars. Google rewrites about 30% of meta descriptions when the page content fits the query better — write tight first sentences either way.
- Front-load your primary keyword in the title.
- End with the brand:
… · Brand. - Description should answer the searcher's question, not summarize the page.
- Target the desktop pixel limit, not character count — capital letters cost more pixels.
Why a SERP preview matters
Your title tag and meta description are the only thing most people read about your page before deciding whether to click. Get them wrong — too long, too vague, missing the keyword — and even a #1 ranking leaves clicks on the table.
The preview above shows you exactly what Google's desktop and mobile search results will render before you ship. Catch truncation, wonky breadcrumbs, and weak hooks while they're still cheap to fix.
Title tag best practices
- Pixels, not characters. Google truncates desktop titles around 580px, not at 60 chars. Capital letters take ~25% more space than lowercase. A title full of MMMM's will truncate sooner than one full of iiii's.
- Front-load the keyword. The first 3-4 words carry the most weight for both the algorithm and the eye.
- End with the brand. The standard format is
Topic: Subtopic · BrandorTopic — Brand. Keep the brand last so it gets cut first when the title overflows. - Match search intent. If someone searches "free schema markup generator", their ideal title literally says "Free schema markup generator". Don't be cute when intent is plain.
Meta description best practices
- ~155 chars on desktop, ~120 on mobile. Google often rewrites descriptions when the page content fits a query better — so write the first sentence to stand alone if everything after it gets clipped.
- Answer the question, don't summarize the page. A description that finishes the searcher's sentence converts way better than a recap of what's on the page.
- Include a soft CTA. "See the full breakdown", "Try it in 30 seconds", "Compare plans" — give the user a reason to click rather than just read your description and move on.
Why this preview shows pixels (most don't)
The vast majority of free SERP preview tools count characters and call it a day. That's misleading because Google measures titles in rendered pixel width — and a 55-char title in all caps can truncate while a 64-char title in lowercase fits fine. Our preview uses a per-character width table calibrated to Arial 18pt (Google's desktop font), so the truncation point you see here is the truncation point Google will show.
FAQ
Why does my title get cut off in Google but not in this preview?
Two common reasons. First, this preview measures rendered pixel width, but Google occasionally A/B-tests slightly tighter limits on certain queries. Second, Google sometimes rewrites titles entirely if it thinks a different framing matches the query better — that's separate from truncation and you can't fully control it.
Should I write different titles for desktop and mobile?
No — Google serves the same title tag to both. Optimize for the desktop pixel limit (more generous) and the mobile rendering will simply truncate further. The preview shows both side-by-side so you see the worst case.
How long can my meta description be?
Google's documented maximum is around 160 characters on desktop and 120 on mobile, but in practice Google often shows 155-character desktop snippets and even longer for queries where it thinks the description is highly relevant. Aim for 150-155 chars and put the most important words first.
Will Google use my meta description if I write one?
About 60-70% of the time. The other 30% Google rewrites it to better match a specific query — usually pulling text from your page body or H2s. That's why the first sentence of your description should stand alone: it's both a hedge against rewriting and good copywriting.
Should I include the brand name in every page title?
On the homepage, yes. On deep article pages, only if there's room. The standard convention is Topic — Brand or Topic · Brand at the end, so the brand drops first when the title overflows.
Does this tool save my title and description anywhere?
No. Everything stays in your browser. Sign up if you want to track titles and descriptions across all your pages, monitor how they appear in real Google results, and get alerts when they change.
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