Content Type

Limit

Snap Caption

Text on photos and videos

Bio

Profile biography

Username

Your Snapchat handle

Display Name

Name shown to friends

Chat Message

Direct messages

31,800

Story Caption

Text on story posts

Spotlight Caption

Spotlight video descriptions

160

Group Name

Group chat names

Tips for Snapchat

1Snap captions are limited to 80 characters - be concise and creative.

2Use multiple text elements on a snap for more total characters.

3Emojis are great for saving characters while adding personality.

4Your bio is the first thing new friends see - make those 80 characters count.

5Spotlight allows 160 characters - double the standard caption limit.

6Use stickers and Bitmojis to communicate without using characters.

7Line breaks count as characters, so keep captions on one line when possible.

8Chat messages have a generous 31,800 character limit for longer conversations.

About Snapchat Character Limits

Snapchat keeps things short with an 80-character limit for snap captions and bios. This constraint reflects the platform's focus on visual content - the image or video should tell the story, with text adding just a quick caption or context.

The tight limit forces creativity. Snapchat users have developed a whole language of abbreviations, emojis, and creative text placement to maximize their message within the constraint.

Making the Most of 80 Characters

Use multiple text boxes: Add several text elements to your snap for more total text
Leverage stickers: Bitmojis and stickers communicate without using characters
Embrace emojis: A single emoji can replace several words
Try abbreviations: Common abbreviations are widely understood on Snapchat

Different Limits for Different Features

While snap captions are limited to 80 characters, Spotlight videos allow 160 characters for descriptions. Chat messages are much more generous at 31,800 characters, making them suitable for longer conversations. Understanding these different limits helps you use each Snapchat feature effectively.