Facebook Ad Text Limits: What You Need to Know

Running Facebook ads is one of the most effective ways to reach your target audience, but the platform's text limits can be frustrating if you don't know them in advance. Writing ad copy that fits within Facebook's constraints while still being persuasive is both an art and a science. This guide covers every text limit for Facebook ads in 2026 and gives you practical tips for writing high-converting copy within those limits.

Facebook Ad Text Limits by Placement

Facebook recommends specific character counts for optimal ad performance. Going over these limits means your text gets truncated with "...See More":

• Primary Text: 125 characters (recommended) — up to 63,206 characters technically allowed
• Headline: 27 characters (recommended) — up to 255 characters allowed
• Description: 27 characters (recommended) — up to 30 characters shown on mobile
• Link Description: 30 characters visible on most placements

The "recommended" vs "allowed" distinction is important. While Facebook lets you write much longer text, the recommended limits ensure your full message is visible without truncation across all placements and devices.

Facebook Ad Format-Specific Limits

• Single Image/Video Ad: Primary 125, Headline 27, Description 27
• Carousel Ad: Primary 125, Headline 32, Description 18 (per card)
• Collection Ad: Primary 125, Headline 40
• Stories Ad: 125 characters for text overlay
• Messenger Ad: Primary 125, Headline 40

The 20% Text Rule on Images

While Facebook officially removed the strict 20% text-on-image rule, images with less text still perform significantly better. The algorithm may reduce distribution for image ads with excessive text overlays. Keep text on your ad images minimal — focus on one strong headline or value proposition.

Check Your Ad Text Before Publishing

Our Facebook Ad Text Checker lets you paste your ad copy and instantly see if it fits within the recommended limits for each ad format. It highlights truncation points and shows exactly how your text will appear on different placements.

For organic posts, use our Facebook Post Counter to optimize your regular content as well.

Tips for Writing Facebook Ad Copy

• Front-load the value — Put your most compelling offer or benefit in the first line.
• Use numbers — "Save 50%" or "Join 10,000+ creators" are more compelling than vague claims.
• Write multiple versions — Test 3-5 variations of your primary text to find what resonates.
• Match the headline to the landing page — Consistency between ad and destination improves conversion rates.
• Use social proof — "Trusted by X customers" or "4.9 stars" builds credibility instantly.
• Include a clear CTA — "Shop Now," "Learn More," or "Get Started Free" tells people what to do next.
• Test short vs. long copy — Sometimes a punchy 2-line ad outperforms a detailed paragraph, and vice versa.

Frequently Asked Questions