# Alt Text Character Counter

> Alt text describes an image to people who cannot see it. Write it here and keep it concise: around 125 characters is a common upper guide, and longer descriptions belong in the page text.

- URL: https://wordcounter.pk/alt-text-character-counter/
- Type: Interactive tool (runs in the browser; nothing is uploaded)
- Updated: 2026-10-15

## How to use the alt text character counter

1. Describe the image’s purpose, not just its contents.
2. Keep it to roughly 125 characters.
3. Avoid “image of” or “picture of”; screen readers already announce an image.
4. If the image is decorative, use an empty alt attribute instead.

## Writing useful alt text

Good alt text conveys the same information the image gives sighted users, in the context of the page. For a product photo, name the product and a distinguishing feature; for a chart, state the main finding and put the data in a table nearby; for a logo link, describe the destination. Some screen readers pause or cut long alt text at about 125 characters, which is why that figure is a rule of thumb, not a standard.

Alt text also helps search engines understand images, but write for people first. Keyword lists are unhelpful and may be treated as spam.

## Platform limits

| Where | Limit | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Web pages (alt attribute) | **No fixed limit** | Aim for ≤125 characters |
| Pinterest | **500 characters** | See the [Pinterest Description Character Counter](https://wordcounter.pk/pinterest-description-character-counter/) |
| X (Twitter) | **1,000 characters** | Image descriptions |
| Instagram | **100 characters** | Custom alt text field; verify in the app |

Limits change, so check the platform. For other metadata lengths see the [Meta Description Length Checker](https://wordcounter.pk/meta-description-length-checker/).

## Frequently asked questions

### How long should alt text be?

Around 125 characters or fewer.

### Should I start with “image of”?

No.

### What about decorative images?

Use an empty alt attribute so screen readers skip them.

## Related

- [Meta Description Length Checker](https://wordcounter.pk/meta-description-length-checker/index.md): Check meta description length in characters and estimated pixels.
- [Pinterest Description Character Counter](https://wordcounter.pk/pinterest-description-character-counter/index.md): Pin title (100) and description (800) counter for Pinterest.
- [Product Description Word Counter](https://wordcounter.pk/product-description-word-counter/index.md): Check ecommerce product copy length for stores and marketplaces.
- [Meta Title Length Checker](https://wordcounter.pk/meta-title-length-checker/index.md): Check title tag length in characters and estimated pixel width.
- [SERP Snippet Preview](https://wordcounter.pk/serp-snippet-preview/index.md): Preview your title, URL and description as a Google result on desktop and mobile.
- [SEO Word Counter](https://wordcounter.pk/seo-word-counter/index.md): Check page copy length, section balance and repeated words.
- [Blog Word Counter](https://wordcounter.pk/blog-word-counter/index.md): Count blog post words and get the reading-time label.
- [Content Brief Word Counter](https://wordcounter.pk/content-brief-word-counter/index.md): Track words per heading against a content brief’s plan.

## Images

- ![Alt Text Character Counter: Keep image alt text concise: about 125 characters or fewer. (WordCounter.pk cover graphic)](https://wordcounter.pk/img/alt-text-character-counter/alt-text-character-counter-cover-1200.webp)
- ![How to use the alt text character counter: Describe the image’s purpose, not just its…; Keep it to roughly 125 characters.; Avoid “image of” or “picture of”; screen…](https://wordcounter.pk/img/alt-text-character-counter/alt-text-character-counter-how-it-works-1200.webp)
- ![Platform limits: Alt Text Character Counter: reference table with columns Where, Limit, Notes](https://wordcounter.pk/img/alt-text-character-counter/alt-text-character-counter-reference-1200.webp)
- ![Map showing how Alt Text Character Counter connects to SEO & Content, Meta Description Length Checker, Pinterest Description Character Counter, Product Description Word Counter and more on WordCounter.pk](https://wordcounter.pk/img/alt-text-character-counter/alt-text-character-counter-related-tools-map-1200.webp)
- ![Quick answer card: How long should alt text be? Around 125 characters or fewer.](https://wordcounter.pk/img/alt-text-character-counter/alt-text-character-counter-quick-answer-1200.webp)