The Bangla SMS character limit is 70 characters for a single message, compared with 160 characters for a standard English SMS. When a message is longer, it is split into parts of 67 characters (Bangla) or 153 characters (English), and each part is billed as one SMS. Knowing these numbers helps you write messages that fit, and keep your bulk SMS costs predictable.
Why do SMS messages have a character limit?
An SMS has a fixed capacity of 140 bytes. How many characters fit in those bytes depends on the encoding used:
- GSM-7 is the standard SMS alphabet. It uses 7 bits per character, so 160 characters fit in one SMS. It covers English letters, digits and common punctuation.
- Unicode (UCS-2) uses 16 bits per character, so only 70 characters fit. It is needed for any character that is not in the GSM-7 alphabet, including Bangla script and emoji.
The phone or gateway picks the encoding automatically, based on the characters in your message.
What is the Bangla SMS character limit?
Bangla text is always sent as Unicode. So:
- A Bangla message of up to 70 characters is one SMS.
- A longer Bangla message is split into parts of 67 characters each. The missing three characters per part are used by a header that tells the phone how to join the parts back together.
The same applies to English. A message of up to 160 GSM-7 characters is one SMS; anything longer is split into parts of 153 characters.
SMS character limit table
| Message parts | English (GSM-7) max characters | Bangla / Unicode max characters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 part | 160 | 70 |
| 2 parts | 306 | 134 |
| 3 parts | 459 | 201 |
| 4 parts | 612 | 268 |
| 5 parts | 765 | 335 |
Read it like this: a 150-character Bangla message does not fit in two parts (134), so it uses three parts and is billed as three SMS.
Does one emoji really change the whole message?
Yes. If even one character in the message is outside the GSM-7 alphabet, the entire message is sent as Unicode. That includes:
- Any emoji, such as a smiley or a gift icon.
- Bangla letters or digits mixed into an English message.
- Some "smart" punctuation copied from word processors, like curly quotes or long dashes.
So a 130-character English promotion is one SMS. Add a single emoji, and it becomes a Unicode message with a 70-character single limit, which means two parts, and double the cost. If you want emoji or a Bangla word, plan for the Unicode limit.
Do some English characters count as two?
In GSM-7, a few characters are in an "extended" table and take two character slots: €, [, ], {, }, ^, ~, \ and |. They are rare in marketing messages, but they can push a message just over a limit. If a message is close to 160 characters, avoid them.
How does this affect what you pay?
Bulk SMS is billed per SMS part, also called a segment. On GotiSMS, a message that uses three parts is charged as three SMS, for each recipient.
That makes length one of the biggest drivers of cost. A simple example: sending a two-part Bangla message to a list costs roughly twice as much as sending a one-part English message to the same list, at the same rate. See how bulk SMS prices are calculated and the pricing page.
How do you check the length before sending?
The GotiSMS compose screen counts characters and parts live as you type, and shows whether the message is GSM-7 or Unicode. You see the exact number of parts before you send, so there are no surprises on your bill. The same rules apply to messages sent through the SMS API.
Should you write SMS in Bangla or English?
Both work on every operator in Bangladesh: Grameenphone, Robi, Airtel, Banglalink and Teletalk. The right choice depends on your audience and message.
Choose Bangla when:
- Your customers are more comfortable reading Bangla, for example in rural areas or for older audiences.
- The message is emotional or cultural, such as an Eid or Pohela Boishakh greeting.
- Clarity matters more than cost, for example health or safety information.
Choose English when:
- The message is short and functional, like an OTP or order update.
- Your audience is used to English, such as many urban app users.
- You want to fit more text into one SMS at the lowest cost.
Some businesses use Banglish (Bangla written in English letters). It fits the GSM-7 limit, but it can be harder to read, so test it with your audience first.
Tips for writing short Bangla SMS
- Lead with the key information. Offer, code, date or amount first.
- Cut filler words. Greetings and long sign-offs use up the 70-character limit quickly.
- Use short forms for dates and prices. For example, write a date as a number rather than spelling out the month in full.
- Shorten links, or send the customer to a short, memorable page.
- Avoid emoji unless they add real value. In a Bangla message they do not change the encoding, but each one still takes space.
- Test with a real send to your own phone before a large campaign.
For more on running campaigns, read SMS marketing tips for Bangladesh.
Frequently asked questions
How many characters are in one Bangla SMS?
One Bangla (Unicode) SMS holds up to 70 characters. Longer messages are split into parts of 67 characters each.
How many characters are in one English SMS?
A single English (GSM-7) SMS holds up to 160 characters. Longer messages use parts of 153 characters each.
Why did my English message count as Unicode?
It probably contains an emoji, a Bangla character, or special punctuation such as curly quotes. One such character makes the whole message Unicode.
Am I charged per message or per part?
Per part. A message split into two parts is billed as two SMS for each recipient.
Can I see the part count before sending?
Yes. The GotiSMS compose screen shows characters and parts live as you type.
Write in Bangla or English with full control over length and cost. Sign up for GotiSMS and see the live character counter for yourself.