TikTok captions now support up to 4,000 characters (expanded from the original 300 to 2,200, then to 4,000 for SEO optimization), your bio is limited to 80-160 characters, and comments max out at 150 characters. With TikTok increasingly functioning as a search engine—40% of young users prefer it over Google for local searches—understanding these limits helps you optimize for both engagement and discoverability.

This comprehensive guide covers all TikTok text limits and strategies for the platform’s evolving landscape.

TikTok Character Limits Overview

Note: Caption limit has expanded from 300 to 2,200 to 4,000 characters for SEO optimization.

Caption Limits and Best Practices

The Expanded Caption Limit

Current limit: 4,000 characters (increased from 2,200) Historical context: Originally only 300 characters, expanded to 2,200, then to 4,000 What this means: Room for SEO optimization and longer descriptions

What Counts Toward Caption Limit

Counted:

• All text including spaces
• Emojis (2 characters each typically)
• Hashtags (including # symbol)
• @mentions

Not counted:

• Video content
• Sound attribution
• Overlay text in video

Optimal Caption Length

Short-form approach (50-150 characters):

• Quick hook or context
• Video carries the message
• Best for entertainment content

Medium approach (150-300 characters):

• Context plus light SEO
• Relevant hashtags
• Good for most content

Long-form approach (500+ characters):

• SEO-focused content
• Educational videos
• How-to and tutorial content

Caption Best Practices

Front-load for truncation: Only first ~55-60 characters show before “more” on feed Hook must appear immediately

Structure:

[Hook/Context - first 60 chars]

[Additional context if needed]

[Hashtags]

SEO considerations: TikTok search is growing rapidly. Include:

• Keywords in captions
• Specific terms users might search
• Clear descriptions of content

Bio Optimization (80-160 Characters)

The 80-160 Character Limit

Challenge: Relatively limited space Opportunity: Forces clarity and focus

What to Include

Essential elements (prioritized):

1. What you do/create
2. Unique angle or personality
3. Call-to-action (if space)

Example breakdown:

Music producer 🎵           (17 chars)
Making beats from random sounds  (31 chars)
New track every Friday      (22 chars)
                           Total: 70 chars

Bio Best Practices

Keywords: Bio is searchable—include relevant terms

Emojis: Use to replace words and save characters

• “Music producer” → “🎵 Producer”
• “Coffee lover” → “☕ enthusiast”

Link in bio: TikTok business accounts get one link—mention it if you have it: “Free resources ↓” or “Shop ↓”

Username and Display Name

Username (24 characters):

• No spaces (underscores OK)
• Appears as @yourusername
• Searchable

Display name (30 characters):

• Can include spaces
• Shows above username
• Can include keywords

Strategy: Username: @brandname Display: Brand Name | What You Do

Comments (150 Characters)

Comment Limit

Maximum: 150 characters per comment What counts: Text, emojis, @mentions

Comment Strategy

For creators:

• Respond to comments early (algorithm signal)
• Pin best comments
• Ask follow-up questions

For engagement:

• Add value in limited space
• Ask questions
• Reference specific video content

Reply chains: Each reply is 150 characters; conversations happen across multiple comments.

Hashtag Strategy

Hashtag Limits

Maximum: 5 hashtags per post (new limit) Optimal: 3-5 relevant hashtags Practical limit: Whatever fits in caption

Hashtag Best Practices

Use a mix of:

• High-volume hashtags (millions of views)
• Medium hashtags (100K-1M views)
• Niche hashtags (under 100K)
• Trending hashtags (when relevant)

Placement:

• End of caption
• Or natural integration

Character consideration: Long hashtags use more caption space. Choose concise, relevant tags.

TikTok SEO Through Hashtags

Search behavior:

• Users search hashtags directly
• Algorithm categorizes content by hashtags
• Relevant hashtags improve discoverability

Example hashtag mix:

#cooking #easyrecipes #30secondrecipe #dinnerideas #foodtok

Direct Messages (1,000 Characters)

DM Limits

Message length: 1,000 characters Group DMs: Available with limits

DM Best Practices

For creators:

• Auto-response options available
• Keep responses concise
• Direct to links when appropriate

TikTok as a Search Engine

The Search Shift

Statistics:

• 40% of young users prefer TikTok over Google for local searches
• TikTok search traffic is growing rapidly
• Algorithm increasingly serves search-intent content

Optimizing for TikTok Search

In captions:

• Use specific keywords
• Include what/how/why terms
• Be descriptive about content

In video:

• Say keywords out loud (speech-to-text)
• Use text overlays with keywords
• Create content answering common questions

Example search optimization: Instead of: “Try this recipe! #cooking” Better: “How to make garlic bread in 30 seconds #cooking #easyrecipes #garlicbread #homemade”

Video Text Overlays

Text on Screen

No strict character limit: Limited by screen space and readability Best practice: Keep text readable in 2-3 seconds Placement: Don’t cover faces or key content

Auto-Captions

Character limit: Based on speech Editing: Can edit auto-generated captions SEO benefit: Captions are searchable/indexable

TikTok Shop and Business Features

Product Descriptions

Limit: Varies by listing type Best practice: Front-load benefits

Storefront Bio

Limit: Similar to regular bio Optimization: Include shop-related keywords

Mobile-Only Considerations

TikTok Is Mobile-First

All content viewed on mobile:

• Captions appear small
• Truncation happens early
• Thumb-scrolling is fast

Implications:

• Hook in first 2 seconds
• Caption hook in first line
• Video content carries primary message

Frequently Asked Questions

How many characters is a TikTok caption?

TikTok captions now support 4,000 characters, a significant increase from the original 300-character limit (which later expanded to 2,200, then to 4,000).

Do hashtags count toward the caption limit?

Yes, hashtags including the # symbol count toward your caption character limit.

What’s the best caption length for TikTok?

For most content, 150-300 characters works well. Use more (500+) for SEO-focused educational content.

Should I use long captions for SEO?

Yes, longer captions with keywords help discoverability as TikTok search grows. Balance with readability.

How do I make my bio stand out in 80 characters?

Focus on one clear message about what you do. Use emojis to save space and add personality.

Do people actually read TikTok captions?

Many don’t, but captions affect algorithm categorization and search. Write for both users and discoverability.

Key Takeaways

• TikTok captions: 4,000 characters (expanded from 300 to 2,200 to 4,000)
• Bio: 80-160 characters—be concise and keyword-focused
• Comments: 150 characters
• Username: 24 characters maximum
• Only first ~55-60 characters show before truncation
• TikTok search is growing—optimize captions for keywords
• Use 3-5 relevant hashtags for discoverability (5 max limit)

Conclusion

TikTok’s expanded 4,000 character caption limit opens opportunities for SEO optimization that didn’t exist before. While video content carries your message, optimized captions help you get discovered in TikTok’s growing search ecosystem. Front-load your hooks before truncation, use keywords naturally, and choose up to 5 relevant hashtags that help categorize your content. Try our free letter counter → to verify your TikTok captions are optimized for the platform’s character limits.