How to shorten a draft to a character limit
Use a clear limit, then remove low-value words without losing the point.
By the ClearCount team · Updated November 3, 2026
Set the limit before editing
Paste your complete draft, enter the required limit and select the appropriate counting method. The remaining-character message updates while you edit. A limit is a measuring aid: it does not truncate your work automatically. You can keep writing over the limit while deciding what to remove. The text box supports up to 200,000 UTF-16 units, so this tool is intended for drafts rather than very large document collections.
Make purposeful cuts
Start with repeated ideas and throat-clearing phrases. “In order to make a decision” can often become “to decide,” while “at this point in time” can become “now.” Preserve names, dates, amounts and necessary qualifications before trimming details. Check the counter after each edit rather than deleting punctuation indiscriminately. Spaces, new lines and punctuation can all count toward a character limit.
Keep a final submission buffer
Leave room for changes the destination may make, such as adding a signature or turning a link into a different format. Copy the final text into the actual form and check its count. If you need to pause, download a plain-text copy or explicitly enable the local draft option. Remembered drafts stay in this browser; they do not sync across devices and should be disabled on shared computers.
Put the example into practice with the free character counter.