Snapchat character limits for captions (80), chat messages (31,000), display names (30), and ad copy. Complete 2026 guide for Snapchat users and advertisers.
Published: April 2026 | Last Updated: April 2026
Photo by Szabó Viktor on Pexels
Snapchat captions (text on photos/videos) are limited to 80 characters. Chat messages allow up to 31,000 characters. Display names can be up to 30 characters.
| Field | Character Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Caption (Photo/Video) | 80 | Text overlay on snaps |
| Chat Message | 31,000 | Surprisingly generous for a visual-first app |
| Display Name | 30 | Your visible name (can be changed anytime) |
| Username | 3–15 | Cannot be changed after creation |
| Story Caption | 80 | Same as photo/video captions |
| Spotlight Description | 100 | For Spotlight submissions |
| Ad Headline | 34 | Snap Ads headline text |
| Ad Brand Name | 25 | Displayed on ad placements |
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Open Word CounterWhat is the Snapchat caption character limit?
Snapchat captions (text overlaid on photos and videos) are limited to 80 characters.
What is the Snapchat chat character limit?
Snapchat chat messages can be up to 31,000 characters long — surprisingly generous for a visual-first platform.
What is the Snapchat display name character limit?
Snapchat display names can be up to 30 characters. Unlike usernames, display names can be changed at any time.
Can you change your Snapchat username?
No. Snapchat usernames (3–15 characters) are permanent and cannot be changed after account creation. Display names can be changed.
The sources and check dates in this table come from one versioned data file — the place we record every check we make. The rest of this page, and the limits built into our tools, are still separate copies, so when we correct a figure we correct it in each place. This table is how we keep ourselves honest while we do.
Every figure on this page was carried across from our own older pages. Not one of them has been checked against the platform’s own documentation, so none of them carries a source or a last-checked date. We would rather show you that plainly than print a date we have not earned.
Still to be checked against: Snapchat Support (help.snapchat.com) and Snapchat for Business
| Field | Limit | Notes | Source | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caption (Photo/Video) | 80 | Text overlay on snaps | No source recorded | Not yet verified against the platform’s own documentation |
| Chat Message | 31,000 | Surprisingly generous for a visual-first app | No source recorded | Not yet verified against the platform’s own documentation |
| Display Name | 30 | Your visible name (can be changed anytime) | No source recorded | Not yet verified against the platform’s own documentation |
| Username | 3–15 | Cannot be changed after creation | No source recorded | Not yet verified against the platform’s own documentation |
| Story Caption | 80 | Same as photo/video captions | No source recorded | Not yet verified against the platform’s own documentation |
| Spotlight Description | 100 | For Spotlight submissions | No source recorded | Not yet verified against the platform’s own documentation |
| Ad Headline | 34 | Snap Ads headline text | No source recorded | Not yet verified against the platform’s own documentation |
| Ad Brand Name | 25 | Displayed on ad placements | No source recorded | Not yet verified against the platform’s own documentation |