--- title: Why is my message split into multiple parts? description: SMS Global Knowledgebase --- [![](https://cdn.craft.cloud/ff00d28e-6061-427e-b58d-8267ebeaad6b/builds/a173c27c-7ed2-40a3-b553-3262aea64d9e/artifacts/dist/img/logo/sms-global-logo.svg)](https://smsglobal.com?hsLang=en-au) smsglobal.com [Talk to an expert](https://www.smsglobal.com/contact?hsLang=en-au) Talk to an expert [Skip to content](https://knowledgebase.smsglobal.com/why-is-my-message-split-into-multiple-parts-smsglobal-help-center#main-content) [![SMSGLOBAL LOGO WHITE-2](https://knowledgebase.smsglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SMSGLOBAL%20LOGO%20WHITE-2.png?width=500&height=100&name=SMSGLOBAL%20LOGO%20WHITE-2.png)](https://www.smsglobal.com/?hsLang=en-au) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Contact us](https://www.smsglobal.com/contact/) [Contact us](https://www.smsglobal.com/contact/?hsLang=en-au) Advice and answers from the SMSGlobal Team - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [SMS Global Knowledgebase](https://knowledgebase.smsglobal.com/?hsLang=en-au) 2. [Sending a SMS](https://knowledgebase.smsglobal.com/sending-a-sms?hsLang=en-au) # Why is my message split into multiple parts? ## Reasons why an SMS may be sent as a multi-part message and how Unicode characters influence the total characters per SMS part If your message is split into multiple parts, you have either exceeded the standard 160 character limit or there's a [Unicode character](https://knowledgebase.smsglobal.com/en/collections/2920575-understanding-unicode-messages?hsLang=en-au) present in your message. Unicode characters use more data to send than regular characters. Therefore only 70 characters can be included in a single SMS, as opposed to the standard 160 character limit. When you exceed the standard 160 character limit, your message will be split into a multi-part message. Seven (7) characters are needed to stitch the messages together, leaving you with 153 characters to work with per SMS. **For Example:** - 1 message = 160 characters - 2 messages = 306 characters (153 + 153) - 3 message = 459 characters (153 + 153 +153) 1 message = 160 characters 2 messages = 306 characters (153 + 153) 3 message = 459 characters (153 + 153 +153) For more information, refer to the articles on [understanding Unicode characters](https://hs.smsglobal.com/understanding-unicode-characters-and-messages-smsglobal-help-center?hsLang=en-au) and [how to disable Unicode Messaging](https://hs.smsglobal.com/turn-unicode-messaging-on/off-mxt-only-smsglobal-help-center?hsLang=en-au). **Note:** When sending a message in MXT, do not copy and paste your message from a word document or anywhere else. Instead, type the message directly into the box provided to avoid adding Unicode Characters. Before sending your messages, please ensure that you look at the preview message on the right side of the screen. This will show if your message has been split into a multi-part message: [![](https://knowledgebase.smsglobal.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/image-Jan-19-2026-01-55-28-8460-AM.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/338803993/baff0dd6d9b5c5421ca62e49/image.png?expires=1768789800&signature=aa23c85a762dd35fa8534669dc66ca9e7f669067d92da8c49d10006a25b009dc&req=dyMvHsl9lIhcFb4f3HP0gI7THIpw7YN%2BDv5RzCQEyqLx%2Ff%2B%2B9MH5puPnFFRU%0ADDCf9ZCcSI66%2B5QoNQ%3D%3D%0A) The message box in MXT will also alert you if any Unicode characters are detected: [![](https://knowledgebase.smsglobal.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/image-Jan-19-2026-01-55-33-9468-AM.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/338804069/b4eb7313d1c7ad4f2c5754a5/image.png?expires=1768789800&signature=af677dfd74746fb98336094518a5e79c80b68c8e37cfe160efaea8dcfc59b9c2&req=dyMvHsl6nYdWFb4f3HP0gIVr2EXyaSqNnAnSSQCB0wFBtrQlu5RP20RGQzpe%0A8Av%2Bq83KoGPMIC0CLw%3D%3D%0A) - [Sending a SMS](https://knowledgebase.smsglobal.com/sending-a-sms?hsLang=en-au) - [Sender ID](https://knowledgebase.smsglobal.com/sender-id?hsLang=en-au) - [API and Integration](https://knowledgebase.smsglobal.com/api-and-integration?hsLang=en-au) - [Email to SMS](https://knowledgebase.smsglobal.com/email-to-sms?hsLang=en-au) - [Reporting](https://knowledgebase.smsglobal.com/reporting?hsLang=en-au) - [Sub-Accounts](https://knowledgebase.smsglobal.com/sub-accounts?hsLang=en-au) - [Delivery Receipts](https://knowledgebase.smsglobal.com/delivery-receipts?hsLang=en-au) - [Billing and Payments](https://knowledgebase.smsglobal.com/billing-and-payments?hsLang=en-au) - [Contact Lists](https://knowledgebase.smsglobal.com/contact-lists?hsLang=en-au) - [Managing Opt-Outs](https://knowledgebase.smsglobal.com/managing-opt-outs?hsLang=en-au) - [Campaigns](https://knowledgebase.smsglobal.com/campaigns?hsLang=en-au) - [Templates](https://knowledgebase.smsglobal.com/templates?hsLang=en-au) - [MMS](https://knowledgebase.smsglobal.com/mms?hsLang=en-au) - [Voice](https://knowledgebase.smsglobal.com/voice?hsLang=en-au) - [Laws and Regulations](https://knowledgebase.smsglobal.com/laws-and-regulations?hsLang=en-au) - [Video Tutorials](https://knowledgebase.smsglobal.com/video-tutorials?hsLang=en-au) - [Account Settings](https://knowledgebase.smsglobal.com/account-settings?hsLang=en-au) - [Understanding Unicode Messages](https://knowledgebase.smsglobal.com/understanding-unicode-messages?hsLang=en-au) [![SMSGlobal](https://knowledgebase.smsglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SMSGlobal-logo-black-transp.png?width=200&height=56&name=SMSGlobal-logo-black-transp.png "SMSGlobal")](http://smsglobal.com?hsLang=en-au) [mailto:support@email.com](mailto:support@email.com) Copyright © 2026, SMSGlobal ![](https://analytics.twitter.com/i/adsct?txn_id=nxnc4&p_id=Twitter&tw_sale_amount=0&tw_order_quantity=0) ![](https://t.co/i/adsct?txn_id=nxnc4&p_id=Twitter&tw_sale_amount=0&tw_order_quantity=0) [![SMSGlobal](https://cdn.craft.cloud/ff00d28e-6061-427e-b58d-8267ebeaad6b/builds/a173c27c-7ed2-40a3-b553-3262aea64d9e/artifacts/dist/img/logo/sms-global-logo-light.svg)](https://smsglobal.com/?hsLang=en-au) © Copyright . 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