App Store & Google Play Character Limits (2026)
Exact character limits for every App Store Connect and Google Play metadata field - name, subtitle, keywords, promo text, descriptions - plus how to use each one.
Quick answer
What are the App Store and Google Play character limits in 2026?
Apple: app name 30, subtitle 30, keywords field 100, promotional text 170, description 4,000, What’s New 4,000. Google Play: title 30, short description 80, full description 4,000. On iOS, only name, subtitle, and keywords are the primary indexed text fields for search - use them carefully.
- App name / Play title: 30 characters each
- App Store subtitle: 30 · Play short description: 80
- App Store keywords field: 100 characters (comma-separated, no spaces)
- Promotional text (iOS): 170 characters, editable without a new binary
- Description: 4,000 characters on both stores
On this page
- Key takeaways
- App Store Connect character limits
- Google Play Console character limits
- Side-by-side comparison
- How to spend the 160 indexed iOS characters
- Play short description tips (80 characters)
- Description structure that converts
- Ship metadata and screenshots that work together
- Frequently asked questions
Both stores will hard-stop metadata that exceeds the field limit - and on iOS every wasted character in the name, subtitle, or keywords field is a missed ranking opportunity. This page is the 2026 cheat sheet for every major text field on App Store Connect and Google Play Console, plus how to allocate those characters without stuffing.
Text alone does not convert. Pair tight metadata with screenshot best practices and build the creative set in AppGrowthKit.
App Store Connect character limits
| Field | Limit | Indexed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| App name | 30 | Yes | Primary search signal; keep brand + main keyword |
| Subtitle | 30 | Yes | Clarifies category/promise under the name |
| Keywords | 100 | Yes | Hidden field; commas, no spaces after commas |
| Promotional text | 170 | No | Editable without a new app version |
| Description | 4,000 | No* | Conversion copy; not a primary ranking field |
| What’s New | 4,000 | No | Release notes for the current version |
iOS search discoverability is driven mainly by the 30+30+100 character budget across name, subtitle, and keywords - 160 indexed characters total.
Google Play Console character limits
| Field | Limit | Indexed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| App title | 30 | Yes | Was 50 before 2021; still the strongest text signal |
| Short description | 80 | Yes | Shows in search/browse cards - treat like a subtitle |
| Full description | 4,000 | Yes | Play indexes description body - natural keyword use |
Play gives you 30 + 80 + 4,000 characters. Unlike Apple, the long description is part of search relevance - write for humans first, then weave keywords naturally.
Side-by-side comparison
| Purpose | App Store | Google Play |
|---|---|---|
| Primary title | Name · 30 | Title · 30 |
| Secondary line | Subtitle · 30 | Short description · 80 |
| Hidden keywords | Keywords · 100 | No dedicated field (use description) |
| Editable promo blurb | Promotional text · 170 | — (use short description / store listing experiments) |
| Long copy | Description · 4,000 | Full description · 4,000 |
Same 30-character title cap on both stores; Play’s short description is longer than Apple’s subtitle; only Apple has a dedicated 100-character keywords field.
How to spend the 160 indexed iOS characters
- Name (30): Brand + highest-intent keyword if it still reads naturally.
- Subtitle (30): Category or second keyword cluster - do not restate the name.
- Keywords (100): Singular forms, no spaces after commas, no competitors’ trademarked names, no words already used above.
- Skip plurals if Apple stems them for your language; test carefully per locale.
- Promotional text and description convert; they do not replace the indexed trio.
Play short description tips (80 characters)
The short description is your search-card pitch. Lead with the benefit, keep one clear promise, and front-load keywords humans actually type. Avoid empty slogans (“The best app ever”) that waste half the budget.
| Example | Approx. length |
|---|---|
| Habit tracker with streaks, reminders, and simple daily goals. | ~62 |
| Invoice maker for freelancers - PDF estimates in minutes. | ~56 |
| Private photo vault with Face ID and encrypted backup. | ~54 |
Aim for a complete benefit sentence well under 80 so localized versions still fit.
Description structure that converts
Both stores allow 4,000 characters, but most users only read the first screenful. Open with a three-line pitch, then scannable benefit bullets, social proof, and feature detail. On Play, weave secondary keywords into natural sentences in the body.
- Hook (what it is + who it is for).
- Top 3–5 benefits as short bullets.
- Proof (ratings, users, press, results).
- Feature depth and use cases.
- Support / privacy / platform notes if needed.
Ship metadata and screenshots that work together
Character limits get you compliant. Consistent creative gets you installs. Use this order.
Draft name, subtitle, and keywords to the limits
Fill the 30 / 30 / 100 (iOS) or 30 / 80 (Play) budgets with relevant terms only. Count carefully - stores enforce hard caps.
Mirror the promise in screenshot 1
If the title says “Invoice Maker,” the first screenshot should show invoicing - not a random chat UI. Follow screenshot best practices.
Build the screenshot set in AppGrowthKit
Open AppGrowthKit and generate benefit-led frames with AI or manual layers at every required store size.
Export and upload the full listing
Export screenshots at exact store dimensions, paste metadata, and submit. Iterate promo text (iOS) without shipping a new binary when campaigns change.
Recap: the limits that matter
- Apple: 30 name · 30 subtitle · 100 keywords · 170 promo · 4,000 description.
- Google Play: 30 title · 80 short description · 4,000 full description.
- iOS search text budget is effectively 160 characters across name + subtitle + keywords.
- Play indexes the long description - Apple mostly does not for ranking.
- Fit the limits, then convert with AppGrowthKit screenshots that match the keyword promise.
Frequently asked questions
What is the App Store app name character limit?
30 characters. The name is a primary indexed field - put the brand and main keyword here when it still reads cleanly.
What is the App Store subtitle character limit?
30 characters. Use it for a second keyword cluster or category promise without repeating the app name.
How long is the App Store keywords field?
100 characters total. Separate terms with commas and no spaces. Do not repeat words already in the name or subtitle.
What is the Google Play short description limit?
80 characters. It appears on search and browse cards - write a complete benefit line, not a vague slogan.
Is the Google Play title still 50 characters?
No. Google reduced the title limit to 30 characters. Older articles that cite 50 are outdated.
Does the App Store description affect ranking?
It is not a primary indexed ranking field like name, subtitle, and keywords. Use the 4,000 characters for conversion and clarity. Google Play’s full description is indexed and does influence search.
Can I change promotional text without a new app version?
Yes on iOS. Promotional text (170 characters) can be updated without resubmitting the binary, which makes it useful for launches and seasonal messaging.
What should I do after metadata is within limits?
Design matching screenshots in AppGrowthKit so the first frames reinforce the same promise as your title and keywords - then export every required store size.
Sources, verified 2026-08-07:
Free tools that help here
App Icon Generator
Drop in one 1024px icon and download every iOS and Android size, ready for Xcode and Android Studio. Runs entirely in your browser - nothing gets uploaded.
ASO Character Counter
Count characters for every App Store and Google Play metadata field against exact store limits. Live counts and over-limit warnings - nothing gets truncated at submission.
Screenshot Beautifier
Add polished backgrounds, padding, shadows, and rounded corners to any screenshot in seconds. Perfect for social posts, docs, and portfolios.
Metadata gets you found - screenshots get the install
Once your title and keywords fit the limits, design App Store screenshots that convert in AppGrowthKit - AI layouts, device frames, and export at every required size.
Try AppGrowthKit for Free