# Instagram caption counter

Canonical: https://postmesh.app/tools/instagram-caption-character-counter

Instagram allows 2,200 characters in a caption and up to 30 hashtags, 20 mentions. Paste yours to see what’s left, and how the same text fares on the other networks.

## How it works

The count uses the same rule PostMesh checks before it posts to Instagram: 2,200 characters and up to 30 hashtags, 20 mentions. Each letter, space and emoji counts as one character.

Below the Instagram count, the same text is checked for every network PostMesh publishes to, so you can see where it needs to be shorter before you post it everywhere.

Nothing you type leaves your browser.

## Steps

1. Type or paste your caption.

2. Read the Instagram count and what’s left.

3. Check the other networks if you’ll post it there too.

## Every Instagram limit PostMesh checks

These are the rules PostMesh runs before it publishes, one row per post type. The source and the date each was last checked live in PostMesh’s publishing rules.

| Post type | Text | Title | Hashtags |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Feed image | 2,200 characters | None | 30 |
| Feed carousel | 2,200 characters | None | 30 |
| Reel | 2,200 characters | None | 30 |
| Story photo | None | None | No cap |
| Story video | None | None | No cap |

## How Instagram counts emoji and accents

PostMesh counts Instagram text in Unicode characters: a letter, an accented letter or a simple emoji is one. Joined emoji, such as 👩‍💻, are several characters stuck together and count as more.

| Text | Counts as |
| --- | --- |
| Hello | 5 characters |
| café | 4 characters |
| 😀 | 1 character |
| 👩‍💻 | 3 characters |
| 𝐁𝐨𝐥𝐝 | 4 characters |

## Ways to fit a post that runs over

- Cut the opening line to the point: it’s the part people see before “more”.
- Move links to your bio or a first comment where the network allows it.
- Swap a long phrase for a shorter one rather than dropping hashtags you need.
- Write a short version for the strictest network, then add detail where there’s room.

## Questions

### What is the Instagram caption character limit?

2,200 characters and up to 30 hashtags, 20 mentions. It’s the limit PostMesh checks when it posts to Instagram.

### Do emoji count as one character?

Each letter, space and emoji counts as one character.

### Is my text saved anywhere?

No. The count runs in your browser and nothing is sent to PostMesh.

### Can I post the same text to Instagram and other networks?

Yes. PostMesh checks one post against each network’s rules and publishes it to all of them, now or on a schedule.

Interactive controls are available on the HTML page. Image and text utilities run in the browser; AI writers submit descriptions to PostMesh and OpenAI.