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Message Credits and Character Limitations for SMS and MMS
Message Credits and Character Limitations for SMS and MMS

Learn how message credits are counted and deducted when sending a message to your contacts.

Emily avatar
Written by Emily
Updated over 2 months ago

Understanding SMS and MMS Message Credits

When sending SMS (text) or MMS (multimedia) messages, the number of message credits used depends on the message length and content. Here's a breakdown of how it works:

1. Standard SMS:

  • 160 characters = 1 message credit.

    • If your message is 160 characters or less, it uses 1 credit.

2. Expanded SMS:

  • 306 characters = 2 message credits.

    • Messages longer than 160 characters are considered expanded. If your message is up to 306 characters, it will use 2 credits.

  • Every additional 153 characters after 306 uses +1 message credit.

    • For example, a message with 459 characters will use 3 credits, and so on. You can send up to 1600 characters in an SMS message.

3. MMS (Picture) Message:

  • 1600 characters = 4 message credits.

    • MMS messages can contain text with attachments like images, videos, gifs, and pdf files and they allow up to 1600 characters, costing 4 credits.

4. Special Formatting:

  • When you add emojis, italics, or bold font, your message limit is reduced. With special formatting, 67 characters = 1 credit.

Multiple Recipients:

  • The number of credits your message uses is charged per recipient you text. Sending a single standard message to 100 recipients would consume 100 message credits (1 credit per recipient).

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