📲 How SMS Billing Works (So There Are No Surprises)

If you use SMS inside our platform, this article is your source of truth.

We’re sharing this transparently so you always understand:

• how SMS charges are calculated

• what triggers limits

• how to check usage before sending messages

Our goal is simple: clarity, control, and no unexpected charges.

Why SMS Billing Works This Way

SMS messages are not billed per message.
They are billed per segment.

A segment is a block of characters that mobile carriers use to deliver text messages.

What Is an SMS Segment?

• 1 segment = up to 160 characters

• Messages longer than 160 characters are automatically split into multiple segments

• Each segment is billed separately

Example

A message that is 440 characters long:

• Segment 1: 160 characters

• Segment 2: 160 characters

• Segment 3: 120 characters

➡️ Even though this appears as one message, it is billed as 3 SMS segments.

SMS Segment Lengths (Quick Reference)

Message LengthSegments Charged1–160 characters1 segment161–320 characters2 segments321–480 characters3 segments481–640 characters4 segments

⚠️ Important note:
Emojis, special characters, and certain links can increase segment usage.

Why SMS Limits Exist

SMS limits are in place for compliance and account protection, not penalties.

Limits may be triggered by:

• Sudden increases in message volume

• Sending bulk SMS without prior usage history

• Exceeding your prepaid or monthly balance

• Carrier compliance rules (especially in Australia)

These safeguards protect:

• your phone numbers

• your deliverability

• your account from suspension or restriction

How to Check SMS Usage Before Sending

You are always in control of your usage.

Before sending an SMS or campaign, you can:

• View character count inside the SMS editor

• See segment count automatically

• Check current SMS usage in your dashboard

• Ask us to review campaigns before launch

👉 If you’re unsure, ask first. We’d much rather help you plan than fix confusion later.

Our Commitment to Transparency

We’re committed to:

• no surprise charges

• clear usage visibility

• proactive alerts as you approach limits

• support before costs escalate

If something doesn’t make sense, reach out.
Transparency is non-negotiable for us.

Bookmark This Page

We recommend bookmarking this article so you can refer back to it anytime you’re:

• planning a campaign

• writing longer messages

• scaling your SMS usage

Need Help?

If you’d like support reviewing a campaign or understanding your usage, just reach out, we’re here to help. (So There Are No Surprises)