Q: Why is an SMS message split into multiple parts?
A standard SMS message has 160 character limit and if your message exceeds the character limit for one message part, you can also change the number of message parts using the option at the bottom of the SMS editor. You can set a maximum of 8 message parts.
If your message is split into multiple parts, you have either:
- Exceeded the standard 160 character limit (or)
-
There's a Unicode character present in your message.
Unicode characters use more data to send than regular characters. Therefore only 70 characters can be included in a single SMS, as opposed to the standard 160 character limit.
When you exceed the standard 160 character limit, your message will be split into a multi-part message. Seven (7) characters are needed to stitch the messages together, leaving you with 153 characters to work with per SMS.
For Example:
- 1 message = 160 characters
- 2 messages = 306 characters (153 + 153)
- 3 message = 459 characters (153 + 153 +153)
Note:
If you are unsure whether your message contains Unicode characters, it is always recommended that you type the message directly into the message box in the editor instead of copying and pasting from a Word document or any other source to avoid inadvertently adding Unicode characters.
For more detailed information regarding creating and sending SMS campaigns, please refer to our documentation for SMS Campaigns.