The optimal headline length varies by platform. Google displays approximately 600 pixels (~50-60 characters) for title tags. Social headlines perform best at 40-60 characters, while the CTR sweet spot is 15-40 characters. Research shows headlines of 40-60 characters achieve 8.9% higher CTR, question headlines get 23.3% more shares, and adding brackets like “[Guide]” increases CTR by 38%.

This guide covers headline length best practices for every major platform and use case.

SEO Title Tag Length

The Core Recommendation

Why this range:

• Google displays approximately 600 pixels of title width
• Titles over 60 characters are typically truncated with “…”
• Front-loaded keywords ensure visibility even if cut off

Word count equivalent: 6-10 words

Google’s Title Rewriting

Critical 2025-2026 statistic: Google rewrites approximately 76% of title tags

Rewrite probability by length:

What this means: Even well-optimized titles may be rewritten. Focus on making titles clear and descriptive rather than gaming length.

Title Tag Best Practices

Do:

• Front-load important keywords
• Include primary keyword near the beginning
• Make titles descriptive and unique
• Consider brand name placement (end of title)

Don’t:

• Exceed 60 characters without good reason
• Keyword stuff
• Use all caps or excessive punctuation
• Duplicate titles across pages

Blog Post Headlines

For Maximum Shareability

Research-backed optimal lengths:

• BuzzSumo data: 6-12 word headlines get the most shares
• Outbrain research: Headlines with 8 words had highest click-through rates
• CoSchedule study: Headlines of 55-60 characters perform best overall

Character count: 55-65 characters Word count: 6-12 words

By Headline Type

Elements That Increase Length (But May Help)

Research findings on headline elements:

• Headlines 40-60 characters = 8.9% higher CTR
• Question headlines = 23.3% more shares
• Brackets “[Guide]” increase CTR by 38%

Numbers: “15 Tips…” (adds characters but increases clicks) Brackets: “[Updated for 2026]” (adds context, adds characters) Colons: “Headlines: How to Write Them Right” (adds structure)

Balance the engagement benefit against length concerns.

Social Media Headlines

Twitter/X

Optimal: 70-100 characters

Why shorter works:

• Room for comments and mentions when retweeted
• Stands out in feed
• Higher engagement with concise messages

Engagement data:

• 71-100 characters: Highest retweet rate
• Under 50 characters: High engagement but may lack context
• Over 120 characters: Engagement drops

Facebook

Optimal: 40-80 characters

Why brevity wins:

• Facebook truncates long link titles
• Users scroll quickly
• Short headlines capture attention faster

Post-specific lengths:

• Shared link headline: 40-80 characters
• Post text (no link): Under 80 characters for highest engagement

LinkedIn

Optimal article headline: 40-49 characters

Research finding: LinkedIn articles with headlines of 40-49 characters received the most views.

Post text: Can be longer (up to 3,000 characters) but first lines matter most.

Headline optimization:

• Professional tone
• Clear value proposition
• Industry-relevant keywords

Pinterest

Optimal pin title: 50-60 characters

Display limitation: First 30-35 characters are most visible in feed

Best practice: Front-load most important words for pin titles.

YouTube

Optimal video title: 50-70 characters

Display consideration:

• Search results show approximately 70 characters
• Suggested videos show fewer characters
• Mobile displays are more limited

Best practice: Put key information in first 50 characters.

Email Subject Lines

General Best Practice

Optimal length: 30-50 characters

Why this range:

• Mobile email clients display less
• Short subjects have higher open rates
• Forces clear, focused messaging

Device-Specific Display Limits

Safe universal limit: 33-40 characters ensures visibility across all devices

Open Rate by Subject Length

Research findings (Marketo, Mailchimp, etc.):

• Under 20 characters: 29.9% average open rate
• 21-40 characters: 27.2% open rate
• 41-60 characters: 25.8% open rate
• Over 60 characters: Lower open rates

Takeaway: Shorter subject lines get opened more often.

Preheader Text

Optimal preheader length: 40-100 characters

Purpose: Extends your subject line in the inbox preview

Combined strategy:

• Subject: 30-40 characters (main hook)
• Preheader: 50-80 characters (supporting detail)

Headline Length by Content Type

News Headlines

Traditional: 5-10 words (space-limited print) Digital: 8-12 words (more descriptive for SEO and social)

Example comparison:

• Print: “Mayor Announces Budget Cuts”
• Digital: “Mayor Announces $50M Budget Cuts Affecting Schools and Parks”

Feature Article Headlines

Optimal: 10-15 words

Purpose: Set tone and entice with creative language

Example: “Inside the Secret World of Competitive Dog Grooming Champions”

Blog Post Headlines

Optimal: 6-12 words (55-70 characters)

Balance: SEO requirements vs. creativity vs. clarity

Product/Landing Page Headlines

Optimal: 5-10 words

Focus: Clear value proposition, not SEO primarily

Example: “Write Better Headlines in Half the Time”

Headline Testing and Optimization

A/B Testing Approach

What to test:

• Length variations (short vs. long)
• Number placement (beginning vs. end)
• Question vs. statement format
• With vs. without brackets/parentheses

How to measure:

• Click-through rate
• Time on page (post-click)
• Social shares
• Conversion rate (for marketing headlines)

Tools for Headline Analysis

Free options:

• CoSchedule Headline Analyzer
• Sharethrough Headline Analyzer
• Emotional Marketing Value analyzer

What they measure:

• Word balance
• Emotional impact
• Clarity and power words
• Predicted engagement

Common Headline Mistakes

Length-Related Errors

Too long (over 70 characters):

• Gets truncated in search
• Loses impact in social feeds
• May seem unfocused

Too short (under 30 characters):

• May lack important context
• Might not include key keywords
• Can seem vague

Other Common Issues

Clickbait: Promising more than content delivers damages trust

Keyword stuffing: “Best Headlines How to Write Best Headlines Guide”

Generic titles: “About Our Services” instead of specific value

All caps: LOOKS LIKE SHOUTING AND REDUCES READABILITY

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the ideal headline length for blog posts?

55-65 characters or 6-12 words. This length works well for both SEO and social sharing.

Should I write different headlines for SEO and social media?

Yes, when possible. Your title tag (SEO) can differ from Open Graph title (social). Optimize each for its platform.

Do numbers in headlines increase clicks?

Yes, research shows numbered headlines (listicles) often get higher click-through rates. “7 Tips” typically outperforms “Several Tips.”

How do I handle headlines longer than 60 characters for SEO?

Ensure the most important words appear in the first 50-55 characters. What gets cut should be secondary information.

Does headline length affect email deliverability?

Length doesn’t directly affect deliverability, but shorter subject lines are less likely to be flagged as spam.

Should I include my brand name in headlines?

For SEO title tags, yes—typically at the end. For blog headlines and social, it depends on whether brand recognition helps.

Key Takeaways

• Google title display: ~600 pixels / 50-60 characters
• Social headlines: ~60 characters, 40-60 optimal
• CTR sweet spot: 15-40 characters
• Headlines 40-60 characters achieve 8.9% higher CTR
• Question headlines get 23.3% more shares
• Brackets “[Guide]” increase CTR by 38%

Conclusion

Headline length optimization is platform-specific—what works for Google differs from what works for Twitter or email. Master the key limits: 50-60 characters for SEO, 40-80 for social, and 30-50 for email subjects. Front-load important information so truncation doesn’t hurt comprehension, and always prioritize clarity over hitting an exact character count. Try our free letter counter → to verify your headlines meet platform requirements before publishing.