In this article, you will learn how text message usage is calculated when sending messages through Genius Phone.
How text message usage is calculated
A message may appear as a single bubble in Workiz, but longer messages can be divided into multiple segments for billing purposes. The number of segments used depends on the message’s length and the characters it contains.
A standard text message can contain up to 160 plain-text characters. When a message exceeds that limit, it is divided into segments containing up to 153 characters each.
For example, a 350-character plain-text message uses three segments:
350 characters ÷ 153 characters per segment = 3 segments
Messages containing emojis or special characters
Using an emoji or certain special characters — including the backtick (`) — changes how the entire message is calculated.
A single message can contain up to 70 of these characters. For messages divided into multiple segments, each segment can contain up to 67 characters.
This means the same 350-character message containing an emoji would use six segments:
350 characters ÷ 67 characters per segment = 6 segments
| Message | Characters per segment | Usage for 350 characters |
|---|---|---|
| Plain text | Up to 153 | 3 segments |
| Includes an emoji or certain special characters | Up to 67 | 6 segments |
Even one emoji or affected special character changes how the entire message is calculated — not only the character containing it.
These character limits are standard across the telecommunications industry and are not determined by Workiz. To manage your usage, consider limiting emojis and special characters in longer or frequently sent messages.
Where this applies
Be mindful of emojis and special characters whenever sending text messages through Workiz, including (but not limited to):
- Messages sent from the Message Center
- Automated text messages sent using Workiz Automations
- Text messages accompanying estimates and invoices
- Other text messages sent through Workiz/Genius Phone
Because a single emoji or affected special character changes how the entire message is calculated, using them — especially in automated or frequently sent messages — can significantly increase your overall messaging usage.