The safe target for meta descriptions is 150–160 characters. Google typically truncates desktop snippets around 920 pixels wide, which translates to roughly 155–160 characters depending on letter width. Mobile results cut off even sooner, usually around 120–130 characters, but Google often uses the same description across devices and just truncates the display. You can write longer descriptions up to 320 characters and Google will sometimes show the full text on desktop for certain queries, but there's no guarantee. The algorithm rewrites roughly 63% of meta descriptions anyway, pulling text from the page it deems more relevant to the searcher's query. That means your meta description functions more as a suggestion than a command. When we optimize pages at Ottawa SEO, we front-load the value proposition and primary keyword within the first 150 characters. If we need to add secondary details or a call-to-action, we place those after character 155 knowing they might get cut on mobile but could appear on desktop. The key is making sure the truncated version still makes sense and entices the click. Length isn't the only factor that matters. A 140-character description with a clear benefit and emotional hook will outperform a 158-character description that's generic. Click-through rate is the actual goal, not pixel perfection. Google also considers the description's relevance to the query, so writing naturally for humans while including target keywords tends to perform better than keyword-stuffed formulas. One common mistake is writing meta descriptions in the CMS that are actually 180–200 characters because the author doesn't check the character count. Use a plugin or tool that shows live character count as you type. Another mistake is duplicating descriptions across similar pages instead of differentiating the value of each page. Unique descriptions for every indexable page improve your chances of Google using what you wrote instead of auto-generating something less compelling.