---
description: A comprehensive guide to understanding Unicode characters in SMS.
---

# Unicode Characters

Unicode is a computing industry standard designed to consistently encode, represent, and handle text expressed in most of the world's writing systems. While essential for expressing diverse characters and languages, Unicode has specific implications for SMS messaging.

### Impact on SMS Message Length

* Standard SMS messages have a limit of **160 characters**. However, when a message contains even one Unicode character (like emoji or non-Latin characters), this limit is reduced. Typically, an SMS with Unicode can accommodate only **70 characters**.
* If your Unicode message exceeds 70 characters, it will be segmented into multiple messages, each with a 67-character limit due to the need for segmentation headers.

### Dashboard Warnings and Defaults

* **Automatic Warnings:** The SMS Dashboard intelligently detects when your message text contains Unicode characters.
* **Default Settings:** If Unicode is detected, a warning pops up, and the '**Send Message as Unicode**' checkbox is selected by default. This ensures that your message is delivered correctly, retaining the intended characters and format.&#x20;

{% hint style="danger" %}
Please take note of Unicode warnings during your SMS sending process.&#x20;
{% endhint %}

### Multilanguage Support - Intentional Use of Unicode

Unicode is invaluable when sending messages in different languages, such as Chinese, Arabic, or any language using non-Latin characters. It allows for culturally and linguistically diverse communication, ensuring your message reaches your audience as intended.

Panacea Mobile fully supports multilanguage sending in various languages such as Mandarin and Arabic.
