Truncate Text Online
This example demonstrates text truncation from String Tools, pre-loaded with a long sentence and a 50-character limit. Paste any text, set a maximum length, and see the truncated result instantly.
How It Works
The tool counts characters from the beginning of your input up to the specified maximum length. Everything beyond that limit is removed and replaced with an ellipsis. The original text is not modified; the truncated version appears in the output area.
Character Counting
Character counting includes all visible characters: letters, digits, spaces, and punctuation. Each character, regardless of its byte size in Unicode, counts as one. A space is one character, an emoji is one character (though it may render as two columns in a monospace font).
Word Boundary Truncation
Without word-boundary mode, truncation is precise: if the limit is 50 characters, you get exactly 50 characters. With word-boundary mode enabled, the tool scans backward from the limit to find the last space, then truncates there. This produces cleaner output but slightly shorter results.
Practical Applications
Text truncation is essential for:
- Database storage: Enforcing maximum lengths for fields
- UI previews: Showing summaries in card layouts, search results, or notifications
- Social media: Fitting text within platform character limits
- API responses: Limiting text in list views for performance
How to Use
- Paste your text into the input area
- Set the maximum character count in the length field
- The truncated output appears in the result area
- Copy the truncated text using the copy button
Common Questions
How do I truncate by word count instead of characters?
The tool operates on character count for precision. To truncate by words, count your words manually and set the character limit to roughly the average word length times the desired word count. For example, 20 words at an average of 5 characters each is approximately 100 characters.
Does truncation handle multi-line text?
Yes. Newlines count as characters. If your text spans multiple lines and the character limit falls within a line, that line is truncated. Lines beyond the limit are completely removed.
Can I see the full text after truncation?
The tool shows both the input and the truncated output. The full original text remains in the input area so you can adjust the limit and see different truncation lengths.