Title tag length: how long a page title should be
Google shows page titles cut to a pixel width, not a character count. The length that usually fits, why Google rewrites titles, and how to write one that holds.
The title tag is the blue link in search results, and it is the most important line of copy most people will ever see from a page. Getting its length right is simple once you know Google measures in pixels.
The length
Google truncates titles to fit a pixel width. In practice 50 to 60 characters usually fits on desktop. A title of capital W's runs out sooner than one of lowercase i's. If your site appends its name, such as " | AI Skill Up", count that too.
Put the search first
Lead with the words the searcher used. If the end gets cut, the part that matched their search is still visible. "Title tag length for Google" beats "Everything you ever wanted to know about title tags".
Why Google rewrites titles
- The title is much longer than the display width.
- It repeats keywords, or reads as boilerplate across many pages.
- It does not describe the page's content.
- It is missing, empty or identical to other pages' titles.
When Google rewrites, it often uses the page's H1 or another prominent heading. An accurate, specific title is rewritten less.
Title tag vs H1
This blog keeps them separate: a short seoTitle for search results and a fuller H1 for the reader who has clicked. The H1 has no length limit and can read more naturally. Both should be about the same thing, so Google has no reason to swap one for the other.
Check in bulk
A build check that fails on duplicate titles catches the most common problem on growing sites. Descriptions have the same issue, covered in meta description length.
SEO Blog Writer's linter checks every post's title length and that the target search appears in it, before the post reaches you.
Questions
How many characters should a title tag be?
Roughly 50 to 60 characters usually displays in full on desktop. Google truncates by pixel width, so wide letters use up the space faster than narrow ones.
Why does Google show a different title from mine?
Google sometimes rewrites titles that are too long, stuffed with keywords, boilerplate or not descriptive of the page. It often uses the page's main heading instead.
Should the title tag and H1 be the same?
They can differ. The title tag competes in search results and has a length limit; the H1 is read after the click and can be longer and more conversational.